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Park at the Pont des Allemands car park, located on the D103 towards the Grande Chartreuse, just before the start of the quiet zone of the Désert de la Grande Chartreuse.
(S/E)Cross the road and take the forest track visible opposite the car park (heading south-west), which is relatively steep at the start and then narrows into a path. After a circular bend to the right, at the Y-junction, a clear path branches off to the right, but this is not the right one! Take the slightly less visible path on the left, then, about 200 m further on, a path on the right.
(1) This path runs alongside an enclosure and leads to the peaceful Habert de Chartroussette.
(2) At Habert de Chartroussette, take a moment to watch the newts in the fountain, taking care not to disturb them (information board). Then cross the electric fence to the left of the fountain (there is a gap to step through). There isn’t really a marked path, but it’s hard to get lost. Walk up the grassy valley for its entire length, pass the few trees at the end of the valley to reach a mountain pasture crossed by a track. There is a gap in the fence provided for walkers.
Once on the track, cross it and pass through another fence (remember to close it properly!), then take the fairly steep path climbing up the valley to the right of the copse. Follow the right-hand side of the valley, which continues as a path through the forest.
(3) Follow this uphill path, which is eroded in places by rain (it seems to turn into a stream bed when it rains!). At the Y-junction, turn right, continuing uphill. You will soon reach the lower end of a new valley, which you will follow on the right until you reach the Habert de Billon.
(4) At the Habert de Billon, head towards the Prairie de la Folie, which you will cross in its entirety; then, after a short stretch through the forest, you will reach the Prairie du Col de la Ruchère. Follow the path on the left towards the pass, with a magnificent view of the cliffs of the Grand Som.
(5) At the Col de la Ruchère, turn onto the path leading down (on the opposite slope to the one taken on the ascent). After about 300 m, take the path on the right and, 200 m further on, the one on the left which descends to the bottom of the valley.
As you descend, admire the magnificent view of La Chamechaude, before passing a few ruined buildings. Continue down the path to the Chapel of Saint Bruno, perched on its rock (closed).
(6) At the chapel, retrace your steps for a few dozen metres and pass in front of the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Casalibus (closed, but you can see inside through a small opening in the door). These two chapels are the remains of the original monastery, destroyed in 1132 by an avalanche.
(7) Then head down the path to a junction with a path branching off to the left, slightly further back.
(8) Take a sharp left onto this path which climbs to the left, slightly uphill, until you reach a sign just before Bourdoire, indicating the junction with theGR® Tour de Chartreuse.
(9) Follow this connecting path as it climbs up to theGR® Grand Tour de Chartreuse.
(10) Once at the junction, take theGR® Tour de Chartreuse on the right. Don’t miss the superb view of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery (on the right), which offers a view of the layout of the buildings, cloisters, gardens, orchards, etc. Continue along theGR®, cross two streams and don’t miss thesecond fork to the right.
(11) Take this path on the right and continue downhill.
(12) The path becomes a track that skirts the Grande Chartreuse Monastery to the north. Enjoy the close-up view of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, then continue along the track until you reach a small tarmac road, which you’ll take to the left.
(13) Walk past the monastery’s entrance gate, then continue along the tarmac road as it descends, following the walls surrounding the site.
(14) When you reach the entrance gate to the stables, turn onto the tarmac road leading down to the right and follow it for about 1 km (it is quiet as unauthorised vehicles are prohibited). You will arrive at the Pont des Allemands car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
Tourist office
