From Montfort Castle to the Crolles Waterfall

A 25-minute drive from Grenoble, this is a family-friendly walk starting from the Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet funicular station, beneath the paragliders, to the path leading to the Crolles waterfall. There is little elevation gain and it can be done in all weathers.

Details

1605106
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.88 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 974 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 965 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,211 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 840 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the lower station of the Touvet funicular.

(S/E) From the Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet funicular station, go round to the left-hand side of the building and walk alongside the tracks for a few metres before following the path that climbs to the left (signposted ‘Château’). The slope is a bit steep and slippery but doesn’t last long after you’ve passed the water tank. Go round it on the right.

You will soon reach the ruins of Montfort Castle, which feature some beautiful remains and are currently being restored (autumn 2018). A barrier indicates that the site is hazardous; if you cross it, please take care and be mindful of the work in progress.

(1) Return to the path which continues through the undergrowth, occasionally offering views of the cliffs to the right or the valley to the left.

(2) At the junction, turn right and do not follow the path leading down
After a few metres, you will come to a large rock on the right that seems to overlook the drop-off and the path continuing down to the right. Both lead to a sort of small clearing surrounded by a few trees. Continue straight on along the main path, ignoring the track that descends to the left.

(3) Carry on until you reach a larger path.

(4) Take it to the left; after thefirst hairpin bend, you’ll come to asecond one.

(5) Leave the wide path and continue straight ahead onto the track running along the hillside. Here you will come to a junction of tracks marked on the IGN map

(6) Take care here: the path descends to join the one below that leads directly up to the waterfall. Follow the route described in this guide carefully (the path is visible on the OpenStreetMap). You will arrive at the foot of the path leading up to the Crolles waterfall.

(7) Return via the same route to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 840 ft - Funicular Station car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 1,161 ft - Castle
  3. 2 : mi 0.51 - alt. 1,171 ft - On the right
  4. 3 : mi 0.76 - alt. 1,148 ft - On the right
  5. 4 : mi 0.96 - alt. 1,043 ft - The main path
  6. 5 : mi 1.18 - alt. 945 ft - On the right
  7. 6 : mi 1.54 - alt. 1,109 ft - The Mystery Trail
  8. 7 : mi 1.99 - alt. 1,073 ft - Start of the waterfall path
  9. S/E : mi 3.88 - alt. 850 ft - Funicular Station car park

Notes

(7) From here, it takes half an hour there and back to reach the waterfall. Unfortunately, we didn’t go there, but it seems the climb is steep and potentially unsuitable for children.
Information about Montfort Castle

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 28878284

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a really lovely walk through pleasant and varied countryside, perfect for groups or solo hikers – do it as often as you like. A special mention for the ruined castle – well worth a visit!

Machine-translated

Patoche18
Patoche18

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Although we weren’t able to complete the whole route due to a lack of time, this walk was very enjoyable; in the sunshine, with some stunning views

Machine-translated

Kiwi06
Kiwi06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The castle ruins are really lovely. This June, they were also beautifully adorned with flowers. However, a barrier restricts access and visitors are not allowed to venture very far into the ruins.
Similarly, access to the waterfall is prohibited by a 2007 local by-law. In fact, you can only see it at that point.
Most of the path is uninteresting. You’ll enjoy the short stretch to the ruins and the brief walk alongside the pretty stream, whose coolness is very pleasant for your feet

Machine-translated

Bidou61
Bidou61

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk. Don’t be put off by the barriers at the start of the path, which are there to indicate that access to the Via Ferrata (which has been dismantled) and the Pal de Fer trail is prohibited, following rockfalls in April 2021. No difficulty up to the turning point described by the author. The climb to the waterfall is quite strenuous and the descent requires a bit of practice and a great deal of caution. Note that the ground was very dry (which meant the waterfall wasn’t particularly impressive). Thanks to the author and Visorando.

Machine-translated

thomine
thomine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk on a hot day as it’s well sheltered from the sun in the forest; we did it with children, some as young as three.
I highly, highly recommend visiting the waterfall. The climb is very steep and difficult, but the view is well worth the effort! The youngest children didn’t come up with us.

Machine-translated

ELODIE38570
ELODIE38570

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice
We particularly enjoyed the ruins of Montfort Castle
and the Crolles waterfall was interesting, but the path to the waterfall is very steep; we wouldn’t recommend it with young children, if you’re wearing unsuitable footwear, or in bad weather.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.