Ridges and plateau of La Molière via Croix Perrin

de fr

Long snowshoe hike (or walk) on the eastern ridge of the northern Vercors overlooking the Molière plateau and return via the plateau (or in the opposite direction if the north wind is blowing on the plateau).
6 hours on foot; 7 hours on snowshoes.

Details

n°89951
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.68 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 632 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 629 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,703 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,216 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Molière plateau
Molière shelter hut.
Molière plateau.
Lodge dela Molière

Description of the walk

Park at the Col de la Croix Perrin.

(S/E) Take the marked trail behind the hotel that starts at the Combe de Rui and continues straight east.

(1) Leave the marked trail to reach the ridge.

(2) Turn left towards the Croix de Jaume.

(3) Follow this ridge northwards to join the marked trail coming from Croix Perrin.

(4) Continue for 5 km, passing through various Pas de Bellecombe.

(5) Turn left to reach Pas de l'Ours, then Pas du Tracollet until you reach the top of the Molière plateau (orientation table).

(6). Head south on the plateau.

(7) Pass a shelter and continue along the track that goes past the Molière lodge.

(8). 1 km further south, climb to the right along a path that returns to the ridge at Pas de Bellecombe.

(5) Continue south along the ridges and after 4 km take the marked trail signposted CCoix Perrin via the Combe de Rui.

(4) Turn right to rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(1) Return to the pass where the starting car park is located (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,216 m - Car park at the Col de la Croix Perrin
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 1,270 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.9 - alt. 1,386 m - Ridges.
  4. 3 : km 1.32 - alt. 1,404 m - Jaume Cross - Croix de Jaume
  5. 4 : km 1.6 - alt. 1,425 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 5.49 - alt. 1,622 m - Pas de Bellecombe
  7. 6 : km 8.87 - alt. 1,632 m - Summit - Table d'orientation de La Molière
  8. 7 : km 9.29 - alt. 1,615 m - Cabin
  9. 8 : km 11.2 - alt. 1,559 m - Gîte de la Molière (1565m)
  10. S/E : km 17.68 - alt. 1,216 m - Starting car park

Notes

Shelter and, above all, refuge on the Molière plateau (water source).

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Beautiful view to the east of the Alps at the summit of La Molière (orientation table), which is also the highest point of the Autrans cross-country ski trails (a beautiful route to try).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Bea2Gre
Bea2Gre

I had planned to do this hike, but I left a little late. The path was very well marked, and on the way back (via the same route), I realised that it was possible to do a nice circular route from La Croix Perrin to the pass.

Machine-translated

Turanco
Turanco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route with few visitors, except of course for the section on the Molière plateau.
A beautiful hike that takes 6 hours on foot.

Machine-translated

Mariclor
Mariclor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant snowshoe hike, with great weather and beautiful views of the mountains. Done on a Saturday in 6 hours with few people around. Stopped at the lodge de la Moliere for a delicious blueberry tart and a warm welcome.

Machine-translated

kariner38
kariner38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, a bit long but not difficult.

Machine-translated

Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

IF THE HIKE TO THE MOLIERE CAR PARK SEEMS TOO LONG, YOU CAN SHORTEN IT BY GOING AT LEAST AS FAR AS PAS DE BELLECOMBE, WHICH IS 12KM INSTEAD OF 18KM, AND YOU WILL ENJOY THE PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE MOLIERE ALPINE PASTURE AND THE CHARTREUSE AND BELLEDONE MOUNTAIN RANGES

Machine-translated

alsa281052
alsa281052

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello. A beautiful walk with breathtaking views. Views of the Chartreuse, Vercors, Belledonne, Ecrins, etc. An easy hike with lots of people. Refreshments available at the Mollière lodge.
Suitable for families with children who are used to walking.

Machine-translated

Chris8338
Chris8338

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Snowshoe hike completed in 7 hours and 25 minutes, including lunch break. On the way back, we took another route at the highest point (1,628 metres) to head towards the forest and pass through the Combe des Besses, which meant we walked a little over 20 kilometres. Please note that the Molière lodge is currently closed. The start of the hike is very steep, but the path becomes easier after that. The water point at the shelter was out of order, so be sure to bring enough water with you.

Machine-translated

Bichonus
Bichonus

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very enjoyable hike, despite a large part of it being a return trip, with somewhat disappointing views from the ridge (hidden by trees, with only a few viewpoints).
Completed on snowshoes in ~6½ hours, including breaks

Machine-translated

vlrh
vlrh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, a very beautiful and long snowshoe hike under a magnificent sun. Please note that the Molière lodge is open during the February holidays.

Machine-translated

cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful snowshoe hike, ideal, 19 km, with an elevation gain of 765 m. We walked for 6.5 hours.
Thank you

Machine-translated

dieumegard
dieumegard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

beautiful walks

Machine-translated

The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

karham
karham

Not used

Machine-translated

RG74
RG74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A really lovely snowshoe hike...

Machine-translated

marcheurs de Domène
marcheurs de Domène
• Edited:

I've found this hike that will take place in June

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Snowshoeing Le Gros Martel

Visorando member
Le Gros Martel
↔12.20 km ↗+663 m ↘-655 m ◔5 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Méaudre (Isère)
Long snowshoe hike starting from the village of Méaudre. Shorter and easier starting from the Refuge des Narces. The route is generally marked "snowshoes" all along. You may have to search a little sometimes.

Snowshoeing Le Habert and Croix des Ramées from the Lans-en-Vercors snow stadium

Visorando member
Le Habert et Croix des Ramées depuis le stade de neige de Lans-en-Vercors
↔7.41 km ↗+297 m ↘-296 m ◔3 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lans-en-Vercors (Isère)
This snowshoe hike takes you along a well-marked trail from the snow stadium in Lans-en-Vercors to the foot of the Grande Roche Saint-Michel (without reaching it). You will stop in front of the Habert des Ramées, then continue your exploration of the plateau beneath the Grande Roche to reach the viewpoint over the Lans valley from the Croix des Ramées. The descent to the snow stadium offers different landscapes, even though it is the same path.

Snowshoeing La Moucherotte de Lans

Visorando member
La Moucherotte de Lans
↔11.63 km ↗+605 m ↘-605 m ◔5 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lans-en-Vercors (Isère)
An easy loop starting from the Lans-en-Vercors snow stadium to reach the summit of Moucherotte (on snowshoes or on foot). Caution: do not descend via the Combe de Saint-Nizier if visibility is poor. Stay on the path.

Snowshoeing Circular Canyon path starting from the Barnets car park

Visorando member
Boucle du Canyon au départ du parking des Barnets
↔5.91 km ↗+278 m ↘-280 m ◔3 hrs ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lans-en-Vercors (Isère)
A beautiful, very easy and enjoyable circular route at the foot of Pic Saint-Michel and close to the cross-country ski trails of the Lans-en-Vercors resort.

Snowshoeing Le Gros Martel at the start of the peatland

Visorando member
Le Gros Martel au départ des Narces
↔6.01 km ↗+226 m ↘-226 m ◔4 hrs ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Méaudre (Isère)
An easy snowshoe route to the summit of Gros Martel in the forest overlooking the pleasant village of Méaudre.

Snowshoeing Alpage de la Molière-Crête de Charande circular

Visorando member
↔11.28 km ↗+503 m ↘-504 m ◔6 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Engins (Isère)
A lovely snowshoe outing in the Molière mountain pasture, offering a long view of the Charteuse, the Belledonnes and some peaks near the Vercors, such as Moucherotte and Pic Saint-Michel. At the start, the wide path is obvious, higher up there are directional signs and green-yellow markings, sometimes yellow-red on the ridge.

Snowshoeing Les Crêtes de la Molière from Autrans

Visorando member
Les Crêtes de la Molière depuis Autrans
↔13.97 km ↗+661 m ↘-663 m ◔6 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Autrans (Isère)
A diverse hike: forests, ridges, vast panoramic views...

Snowshoeing Circular route via Font Scellier to Autrans

Visorando member
Boucle sur Autrans par Font Scellier
↔8.07 km ↗+333 m ↘-329 m ◔4 hrs ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Autrans (Isère)
Snowshoe hike on marked trails to Font Scellier and return via a trail in a beautiful valley. This little-used hike, alternating between shade and sunshine, offers superb views of Autrans.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.