Fontanil-Cornillon walks

This hike was organised by the Grenoble metropolitan area as part of its initiative to maintain and enhance the trails in the urban area. The hike is called Métrorando. The route described allows you to explore the foothills of the Chartreuse massif, as well as a beautiful forest and the small village of Mont-Saint-Martin.

A circular route on wide paths that allows you to delve into the history of millstones.

A fun hike bordering on mountaineering on a very little-used route leading to the Rocher de Chalves via its southern ridge. You will discover the Ouillon, a monolith clearly visible at the foot of the ridge, before climbing an easy rock face (never exceeding 3c) along the ridge. Caution: there is a sheer drop below the ridge, so you must proceed slowly and test each hold carefully, as some boulders are ready to tumble down.

A short, challenging and perfect walk starting from La Monta, passing through the splendid Bellevue meadow—which certainly lives up to its name—then heading towards Le Sialet, to finish at the highest point of a superb wild meadow. Splendid views of the Chartreuse, Pinéa, Chamechaude, and the valley too! And directly opposite, the majestic Moucherotte, the Vercors stretching out behind it, and the bustling town far below. As beautiful as a painting by Jean Achard! And just a stone’s throw from the town...

A pleasant circular through the woods of the commune of Proveyzieux leading to the Belvédère du Sialet, which offers a bird's-eye view of the Isère valley. Hikers will be happy to discover the large shopping area of Saint-Égrève, where many of them stock up on supplies.

This walk showcases the contrasting character of our landscape: southern slopes once terraced for vineyards, tall beech forests, the site of Chalais Monastery and the wild little valley of Malsouche. On the way down, you’ll take an old path leading to Chalais. It leads you to Voreppe’s industrial past, represented by the cement quarries. Trail No. 10 of the Western Chartreuse Trails. This trail presents risks typical of mountain and forest trails (falling branches, falling trees, falling rocks along the cliffs).

A lovely, fairly long circular route with the Chalais Monastery—which overlooks the town of Voreppe—as your destination; this is a slightly more challenging alternative to the usual drive up the road to the monastery. The views from the Aiguille de Chalais and the Rocher de Bellevue are breathtaking!

A route to the Aiguille and the Monastère de Chalais. A relentless climb with a steep, slippery and exposed access ramp to the south ridge.

A well-known local walk, presenting no difficulty. It takes you to the heights of Sassenage, as well as some pleasant neighbourhoods and the village centre. The "Batteries" are a defensive structure from the "iron belt" of the late 19th century: several battery emplacements, now empty of their artillery pieces. Find out about their former function.

This hike takes you to the Belvédère de l'Échaillon, the northern tip of the Vercors, with its beautiful views of the Voreppe gorge, southern Grésivaudan, the Voiron region and the Isère valley. The Saint-Ours Chapel, built into the cliffside with a single large opening above the void, offers an impressive bird's-eye view of the Isère!

Ascent of the Aiguille de Quaix from the hamlet of La Jars in Quaix en Chartreuse: a fairly shaded forest route offering magnificent views of the Isère valley from the Aiguille de Quaix. The ascent of the Aiguille de Quaix requires a climb that can be difficult with heavy boots or for people who are prone to vertigo. However, the view at the foot of the peak, without climbing, is still worth the effort. The hike remains very interesting.

Route in the forest above the village of Veurey-Voroize.

This is a short, easy walk, perfect for after lunch or before dinner, which will delight young and old alike. For adults, chatting will be the ideal accompaniment to this walk, while children can throw stones into the Vence or skip them across the water.

Tour of Mont-Saint-Martin: Trail No. 9 of the Western Chartreuse Trails. This hike takes you to Mont-Saint-Martin, a small village nestled at the foot of the Rocher de l’Église, once a hub of intense pastoral activity. It is also full of contrasts: the shade of the tall, centuries-old forests, the thrill ofthe cable car ascent, the light on the Mont-Saint-Martin mountain pasture slopes, and the tranquillity along the meadows and streams overlooking the Isère valley landscape.Read the practical information.

This is a loop south of the Chartreuse, at a modest altitude. It starts at Chalais Monastery, climbs up the cable-assisted passageway of the chimney, then heads towards the small village of Mont-Saint-Martin and returns via the Cuchet route. Traditional yellow directional signs indicate the distance to be covered and the time needed to reach the destinations concerned.

Warning: Trail for experienced hikers. It is strongly recommended that you follow this trail in a clockwise direction (Cheminée de Lorzier is not roped off). Trail No. 7 of the "Sentiers de Chartreuse Occidentale". Although our trails are regularly maintained, they are mountain and/or forest trails, with all the inherent risks:falling branches, trees, stones, rocks, mudslides, flash floods, slips... You will be walking alongside ravines and cliffs. Do not leave the marked trail.

A family-friendly circuit starting from Chalais Monastery and ending at the eponymous Aiguille.

A physically demanding and challenging circular route just a few minutes from Grenoble. After climbing the Draye des Communaux, the route passes through the magnificent interlacing of sharp limestone pavement at the Gouffre Berger, then leads to the summit of La Sure, where the view of Mont Blanc, the Chartreuse, Belledonne and Grenoble is as striking as the sheer drop below the cliff. We then head towards La Buffe (optional) and return via the (disused) Mortier tunnel. Only to be attempted in very dry weather!

This peaceful walk passes through the hamlets of the plain. It invites you to explore a veritable history book of Voreppe, from the Middle Ages to the present day: mining ruins, reminders of former agricultural and boatmen’s activities, and the remains of romantic holiday resorts. It also highlights the significant topographical contrast within the commune. Trail No. 11 of the Western Chartreuse Trails. This route can also be explored by mountain bike.

A walk in the shade above Grenoble.

Walk through the Furon Gorges leading to the top of the village, where restaurants once welcomed Grenoble residents seeking coolness on Sundays. This short walk is very popular in hot weather, as the Furon area remains cool.

Explore the Gorges du Furon from Sassenage, via the Chemin des Cuves and, a little further up, the Pont Charvet (Resistance memorial). Do not attempt in wet weather: very steep paths for 2 hours with an 800-metre elevation gain. After that, the route via Engins and back to Sassenage is straightforward.

At the southern tip of the Jura massif (Ratz range), this walk is rich in history:- Former fireclay quarry.- Sites associated with the Resistance.- Ruins of an ancient settlement (with a bread oven).- A centuries-old track, of which the paving and retaining walls remain.- Views over the Cirque de Roize.- The Isère plain and gorge, a true corridor carved out by glaciers between the Vercors and the Chartreuse Trail No. 2 of the "Western Chartreuse Trails". This trail presents risks typical of mountain and forest trails (falling branches and rocks along the cliff face) and care should be taken when crossing the main road.

Pleasant circular route starting from Voreppe, which passes through Pommiers-la-Placette and the Col de Tençon at the foot of the Rochebrune summit.

This walk, starting from Voreppe, takes you through a few old hamlets of Voreppe, through the woodland and along the Roize torrent. The Roize torrent is one of the most powerful in the Chartreuse. In mid-May, it wasn’t showing off its full power. The Roize has powered a number of facilities: mills, sawmills and tanneries, and has helped make Voreppe a small economic hub in the Isère valley.

This walk takes you back to Voreppe’s medieval past. As you pass through the hamlet of Gachetière, the original village of Voreppe, you can catch a glimpse of the ruins of Château Vieux, the former Dauphin’s castle. It is also an opportunity to explore the hillsides, where steep ravines—fragrant with the scent of wild garlic in spring—alternate with streams, old charcoal kilns and vantage points. Trail No. 5 of the Western Chartreuse Trails. This trail presents the usual risks associated with mountain and forest trails (falling branches, falling trees, mudslides, falling rocks, ravines).

This walk is ideal for families. It gives you an insight into the age-old struggle of the people of Voreppe against the flooding of their two main rivers, the Roize and the Isère. These rivers have also been a source of wealth for centuries. The Roize powered numerous mills, sawmills and water-driven hammers. The Isère, the main route of communication southwards until the advent of the railway, provided work for boatmen. Trail No. 12 "Western Chartreuse Trails". This is the only one in this series that is not circular, to avoid using the greenway frequented by many cyclists.

A family walk where you’ll discover Voreppe set amidst its rolling hills, with its old hamlets, its slopes once covered in vineyards, and the Poor Clares’ monastery. Trail No. 1 of the "Sentiers de Chartreuse Occidentale" This trail nevertheless presents risks typical of mountain and forest trails (falling branches and the Roize river overflowing at the ‘Pas Japonais’ crossing, etc.).

Forest route to reach the Durand farm overlooking the Isère valley.

Views of the Chartreuse, the Vercors, Grenoble, the Isère, the Drac, Belledonne and Mont Blanc.

Mont-Rachais from Lévetière. Return via Mont-Jalla. View of the Chartreuse, Belledonne, Vercors and Mont Blanc if the weather is clear enough.

Mont-Rachais from Lachal, passing at the foot of the rocky outcrops to rejoin theGR®9.