From Brié to Montchaboud via the Vaulnaveys plain, returning via Bois du Crêt

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I recommend this hike as the perfect option for the winter months when snow prevents us from heading to higher altitudes. Located on the outskirts of Grenoble and accessible by public transport, this route will take you through the villages of the Grenoble metropolitan area and offer some views of the surrounding mountains.

Details

n°2875560
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.50 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,601 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,604 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,408 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,020 ft
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Photos

The Vercors

Description of the walk

(S/E) The route starts from the car park behind the church in Brié Bas. From the car park, take the steps leading to the picnic areas, then follow a path heading north-east until you reach the D5E road. Cross this road with care and take the path opposite, which climbs steeply towards the Bois de Malbouchet. Follow this path, which runs along a ridge for about two kilometres.

(1) Take the track on the right, then the first path still on the right which descends towards the D5E. Cross this road with care, take the small tarmac road opposite and continue the descent.

(2) Turn right onto Chemin Fromental; you are now in the village of Vaulnaveys-le-Haut. The small road becomes a dirt track and then a road again.
At the junction, continue in the same direction; the road winds its way between the hamlets. You are now on the Promenade de la Lavée. Pass the hamlet of Les Pelliets.

(3) Ignore the road branching off to the left and continue straight on along the dirt track.

(4) Turn right onto another track that climbs steeply, and continue until you reach another departmental road (D5),

(5) Cross it very carefully and continue the climb opposite until you reach the road leading to the village of Montchaboud. Walk through the village to the wash house.

(6) At the wash house, take the small road furthest to the right (Chemin des Fontanettes). Follow this road to the end of the tarmac section, where you arrive near a water reservoir. From there, follow the yellow markings, keeping to the right at all times; after a fairly steep climb, you will come out onto a track (not shown on the map).

(7) Take the track to the right, then immediately a path to the right, which reaches the ridge and climbs it for just over 100 m.

(8) Ignore the path that climbs straight ahead (Yellow Cross); the path branches off to the left, becomes a track and begins a descent. Continue down to the first houses of Haut Brié, then carry on along the small road to the A-road and the village of Brié Bas.

(9) Turn left along the main road; at the church, cross it and head for the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,552 ft - Parling behind the church
  2. 1 : mi 1.41 - alt. 1,765 ft - Track on the right
  3. 2 : mi 2.48 - alt. 1,214 ft - Turn right onto the Fromental path
  4. 3 : mi 4.04 - alt. 1,024 ft - Dirt track
  5. 4 : mi 4.21 - alt. 1,030 ft - To the right, a path leading uphill
  6. 5 : mi 5 - alt. 1,463 ft - Crossing the D5
  7. 6 : mi 6.28 - alt. 1,739 ft - At the wash house, keep to the far right
  8. 7 : mi 6.66 - alt. 2,031 ft - Track to the right, then the path to the right
  9. 8 : mi 6.86 - alt. 2,336 ft - To the right, a path leading back down
  10. 9 : mi 8.42 - alt. 1,562 ft - Turn left onto the A-road
  11. S/E : mi 8.5 - alt. 1,552 ft - Car park behind the church

Notes

You can find shelter and water in the villages along the route. In autumn, winter and early spring, some paths may be muddy and therefore slippery.
The route is marked in yellow throughout and there are hiking signs.
The best view is found in the first few kilometres along the ridge, stretching out towards the Grenoble basin and the Vercors massif.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
jp38
jp38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A rather unremarkable walk, but it’s a good option when the other trails are covered in rain or snow.

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Brigitte
Brigitte

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A small group of eight walkers. I chose to do the route in the opposite direction, thinking it would be better to climb Mont Pravena at the start of the walk, especially as it’s a round trip; I couldn’t see any other way of doing it. But it’s well worth it – there’s a lovely view as you walk past the gate to the pasture (no cows yet). We covered 15 km. Lots of tarmac and the flat section was a bit long, but it was well suited to a mid-season walk: uncertain weather, easy paths, and little elevation gain.

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ocarina0656
ocarina0656

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely "mid-season" hike. Easy, even without a GPS. Lovely views of the peaks.

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polo381
polo381

Thank you for your feedback. To return to point 8, I suggest ignoring the path that leads to the summit of Pravena, as there is indeed a gate and it leads to a mountain pasture occupied by cows during the grazing season; furthermore, this path is no longer signposted as it likely crosses private property.

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Boubout38
Boubout38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I chose this walk near Grenoble to stay within the 10 km limit currently imposed by the authorities. The map for the walk isn’t displaying properly, as part of it remains ‘blacked out’, as if the file hadn’t loaded fully.
As for the actual hike, chapter 8 advises ignoring the path that goes straight up. We continued straight on anyway, following the route indicated by my IPHIGENIE (IGN) app, as the path on the right seemed to lead back down into the valley rather than up to the summit of Provena, which we were thus able to reach without difficulty (there is just an alpine gate, which is easily crossed).
Once at the summit (beautiful view of the mountain ranges), you must continue to the right at the edge of the woods, where there is a small gate blocking access to the path indicated for the descent to Brié.
Otherwise, we were very satisfied despite relatively heavy traffic (walkers and mountain bikers in the Malbouchet woods and, to a lesser extent, towards Montchaboud).
Thank you for your sound and always welcome advice.

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AlainMariette
AlainMariette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Despite the partly cloudy and rather chilly weather, the 5-hour schedule—including a snack break—was kept to. There was a lovely view of the Romanche Valley and Vizille.

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