From Pont Chabert to Pas de la Pierre Taillée

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A slightly long walk, but it starts with a "flat hill"...
Alternating shaded forests and meadows.
Beautiful views of the northern Vercors: the Isère valley, Chambarans and more... weather permitting.

Details

n°131586
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 785 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 779 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,607 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 888 m
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Photos

The pierced stone step
The Ecouges valley
The Ecouges valley

Description of the walk

The Ecouges valley is accessed via a picturesque little road from Saint-Gervais. Along the narrow road, you can admire a magnificent waterfall. Towards the end, you enter a tunnel carved into the rock. It is now a two-way tunnel: two islands allow vehicles to pass each other. Shortly after the tunnel, take a small bridge on the left (Pont Chabert) and you can park on the right (fairly large car park).

(S/E) Leave the car park heading north to enter the valley (there are signs). It is easy to find your way: follow a wide forest track that climbs gently and steadily, ignoring the paths on the right. You will pass Les Molières,

(1) Oratoire du Versoud. You will arrive at Le Rivet.

(2) Then turn right (east) and follow the signs for "Fessole" and "Pas de la pierre Taillée". The path climbs steeply at this point.

(3) Ignore the path on the right towards Pas de Montbrand (sign) and turn left (east). The forest track will take you to the sheepfold at Pré Fessole.

(4). Then head south-east towards Pas de la Pierre Taillée, which you will reach in about half an hour from Fessole.

(5) To return, take the same path, which will allow you to see things differently (S/E).

Please note: the alternative route that used to exist after Pré Fessole, allowing you to return in a circular manner, is no longer maintained (it is even discouraged by park rangers).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 888 m - Pont Chabert car park
  2. 1 : km 3.45 - alt. 1,069 m - Oratory of - Versoud (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Isère
  3. 2 : km 3.95 - alt. 1,093 m - Le Rivet
  4. 3 : km 5.07 - alt. 1,179 m - Junction
  5. 4 : km 8.12 - alt. 1,423 m - Pré Fessole
  6. 5 : km 9 - alt. 1,591 m - Pas de la pierre taillée
  7. S/E : km 18 - alt. 888 m - Pont Chabert car park

Notes

A water source at a place called Le Rivet (no sign, but in early July 2015, the water was drinkable).

A shelter at Pré Fessole.

The only difficulties are due to the length and elevation gain, otherwise the trail is very easy, often shaded.

Worth a visit

Shortly after the start, at a place called Les Molières, there is a millstone quarry.
The chapel and an orientation table at Le Rivet.
Views of the Bièvre plain and the Chambarans.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
MICHELFIL
MICHELFIL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To avoid a long walk along the logging road, we recommend taking the "Pas de la Scie" and "Fougères" paths, which are much more pleasant and varied in the undergrowth.

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file indienne
file indienne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Inspired by this description, I made a variation to avoid the return trip.
First of all, it is possible to avoid part of the trail by taking the small paths that are marked on the map displayed at the Chabert car park and indicated by small signs: the first one cuts across the circular path; the second one runs along the left side of the trail; and the third one is shortly after on the right side of the trail.
Then, after the shepherd's meadow, we took the path that climbs to the Pas de Montbrand. The path is poorly marked and even invisible in places (GPS recommended). The climb is steep but without any technical sections.
Then, following the path that runs along the ridge a little below (it is now a wide track), we join the Pierre Taillée trail a little further down to climb a good hundred metres to the Pas de la Pierre Taillée (point 5 of the hike), then return via the path indicated in the description.
A beautiful hike with varied scenery and a beautiful viewpoint at the Pas de la Pierre Taillée with a view of the Belledonne mountains.

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Trottinette07
Trottinette07

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I did it recently. Nice walk... Lots of families... But it's better to leave the forest path... Less crowded... You'll find this path on the left (not La Scie) going uphill, which also leads to the Bevedere... Otherwise, continue on to take a small path higher up on the right to visit the Carriere des Meules. Surprising... Retrace your steps and take a small path called "Les Fougères"... It's all undergrowth. You'll reach the belvedere on this side too... The forest road is beautiful, of course, but for me, flat terrain isn't my thing.
I'll definitely do it again... As we stopped at the viewpoint... Next time we'll go to Pas la Pierre Taillée!!!!

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Cat's
Cat's

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, beautiful view of the carved stone

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Bernard.G
Bernard.G

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike but rushed return: we got caught in a big storm and came back soaked to the skin.
Some nice views.
Return via the Montbrand pass: a little difficult and very slippery in the rain.

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rgrand
rgrand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hike partially completed due to sudden changes in weather conditions.
I will try again in summer...

RG

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