Grande Sure from Col de la Charmette

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A fairly easy route to reach this summit in the Chartreuse mountains. However, the final ascent requires a bit of energy.
At Col de la Sure, you can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the mountain pastures.

Details

n°2542544
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 716 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 708 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,918 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,261 m
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Photos

The climb to the summer pastures
Yellow-billed chough
Summit of the Grande Sure
Col de la Sure

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de la Charmette car park, which can be reached from Proveysieux.

(S/E) From the car park, start climbing to the left towards the Chalet de la Charmette. Pass the building and continue north on a steep climb. Pass the Pas de l'Âne, ignoring a path that branches off to the left towards the Goulet d'Huretières. Stay on the main path until you reach an intersection.

(1) Leave the path to the left towards the Col de la Grande Vache and continue straight ahead on a more modest path. Walk through the forest and reach the Col de la Petite Vache.

(2) Turn left and, in a now more open landscape, head towards the Col de la Sure.

(3) From the pass, head towards the summit; there are several tracks at first, then the path turns south-west and the slope becomes steeper with a few sections where you will need to use your hands. Reach the summit of La Grande Sure at an altitude of 1920 metres.

(4) After enjoying the view, return to Col de la Sure.

(3) Head straight ahead for a short climb to Col de la Grande Vache.

(5) From this pass, begin the descent towards the intersection you passed on the way up.

(1) Turn right and head towards the Col de la Charmette (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,261 m - Car park at - Col de la Charmette
  2. 1 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,494 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 3.11 - alt. 1,647 m - Col de la Petite Vache (1643m)
  4. 3 : km 4.36 - alt. 1,676 m - Col de la Sure (1675m)
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 1,918 m - Grande Sure
  6. 5 : km 6.4 - alt. 1,710 m - Col de la Grande Vache (1712m)
  7. S/E : km 9.64 - alt. 1,261 m - Car park at - Col de la Charmette

Notes

Access to Col de la Charmette may be closed in winter in particular. Please check in advance.

Worth a visit

Panoramic views, of course.
Herd of mouflons.
Information boards at Col de la Charmette.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

From the car park, you can take the path that passes above the Charmette chalet rather than the track. The unmarked path in the wild valley (between 1 and 2) is superb and deserted. From the Col de la Sure, it was very crowded. So we decided to do a round trip rather than the suggested loop.

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FIFICB
FIFICB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, especially on a lovely autumn day. Views of all the mountain ranges, including Mont Blanc. A pleasant grassy summit for a nap. Lots of animal tracks.

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Goedele vandeweerd
Goedele vandeweerd

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is a very beautiful hike, but quite difficult at the end.

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randoclasse
randoclasse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-explained route. The climb is quite steep on a stony path. We saw a few tree trunks lying across the path, but they were easy to get over. Beautiful view once we reached the Petite Vache pass. The mountain pasture is magnificent all the way to the Sure pass. After that, you do need to get your hands out of your pockets to reach the Grande Sure, but the view is well worth the effort! The descent required our full attention (we are 70 and over), as did the descent via the Grande Vache, which really put our knees to the test. So many stones!

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Joanne
Joanne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Moderate difficulty, very easy route to follow. The descent can be slippery due to steep slopes with loose stones. The panoramic view at the top is well worth the detour.

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PatetFab
PatetFab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant first hike, not too crowded if you get up early!

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Luc PARLIER
Luc PARLIER
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, easy walk. The autumn colours were magnificent and the view of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine range was splendid...

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EDON
EDON

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike. The effort is steady without being too strenuous via La Grande Vache. Spectacular views guaranteed, the panorama is breathtaking! Return via the Goulet d'Hurtières, which is much less crowded and very pleasant.

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jeanmichel.t
jeanmichel.t

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

very stony path

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Christian GILLOT
Christian GILLOT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed in 4 hours. We did not see any other hikers passing through the Col de la Petite Vache. Be sure to take the path on the right when climbing this route.
After climbing the Grande Sure, there were many hikers. Very beautiful scenery at the summit. View of Mont Blanc.

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tchoumi
tchoumi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk in the heart of the Chartreuse mountains, taking 4½ hours (including photo stops and a snack break).
It was an excellent idea to take the "detour" via the Col de la Petite Vache. This allowed us to fully enjoy the superb landscape stretching between this pass and the Col de la Sure.
It was the day the cows were being taken up to the mountain pastures via the Col de la Grande Vache. What a sight!
We spotted (from a long way off) a few mouflons basking in the sun on the scree slopes.

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Other walks in the area

Walking La Grande Sure circular starting from the Col de la Charmette

Visorando member
La Grande Sure en boucle au départ du Col de la Charmette
↔14.10 km ↗+877 m ↘-873 m ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
Magnificent view of the Chartreuse and the plain from the summit of the Grande Sure. The first part, from the car park to the summit of the Grande Sure, is the most difficult with scree. The descent from the summit to the Col de la Vache must be undertaken with caution. The rest is easier. The return after the Col d'Hurtières is through the woods.

Walking Charmant Som via Pré Batard

Visorando member
Charmant Som par le Pré Batard
↔8.38 km ↗+626 m ↘-626 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
This pretty circular starting from the Col de la Charmette allows you to climb the Charmant Som via a fairly uncrowded route (but you won't avoid the crowds at the summit...). The final climb up a chimney requires caution, but does not present any particular difficulties.

Walking The Col d'Hurtières circular route via Vararey and the Goulet d'Hurtières

Visorando member
Le Col d'Hurtières en boucle par Vararey et le Goulet d'Hurtières
↔11.41 km ↗+601 m ↘-601 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
From the Col de la Charmette in Chartreuse, climbing up through the Plaine de Varavey, a magnificent summer pasture, you will reach the Col d'Hurtières to admire the Grande Sure. You will walk along cliffs to pass the Goulet d'Hurtières. Once past this aerial gully, the descent takes you back to the car park through very varied landscapes. This route is less steep than the Col de la Grande Vache, and therefore less difficult, but it follows a path on a sloping hillside.

Walking La Grande Sure via the Col d'Hurtière

Visorando member
La Grande Sure par le Col d'Hurtière
↔13.97 km ↗+875 m ↘-875 m ◔6h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
An unmissable walk near Grenoble. Despite the crowds during these last beautiful days of autumn, we were able to avoid the rush (except on the climb to the summit).

Walking La Grande Sure via the Cols de la Vache

Visorando member
La Grande Sure par les cols de la Vache
↔11.42 km ↗+862 m ↘-862 m ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A magnificent loop starting from the Chalet de la Charmette, via the Col de la Grande Vache and Col de la Petite Vache. An aerial walk with breathtaking views.

Walking Loop under the Grande Sure

Visorando member
Boucle sous la Grande Sure
↔7.55 km ↗+497 m ↘-498 m ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A magnificent, easy walk suitable for young walkers. Magnificent views and an area where you are likely to encounter mouflons and chamois! The passage through the Goulet d'Hurtières is pleasant and less frequented than the other paths leading to the Grande Sure.

Walking Circular Grande Sure with return via Goulet d'Hurtières.

Visorando member
↔10.27 km ↗+712 m ↘-711 m ◔5h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A challenging day hike but very accessible for regular hikers, with varied terrain including scree slopes, cow pastures, forests and chasms, plus superb views of the Isère valley and the Chartreuse mountains.

Walking Rocher de Lorzier and Rocher de Chalves

Visorando member
Rocher de Lorzier et Rocher de Chalves
↔14.38 km ↗+925 m ↘-919 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A pleasant hike, half of which is in the magnificent Génieux forest and the other half in the Hurtières and Vararey mountain pastures. The route, which runs off the marked trail along the Crête du Rocher de Lorzier, offers spectacular views of the Gorges de Crossey and the Voironnais, then, from the summit of Rocher de Chalves, of the Chartreuse, Belledonne, Dévoluy, Taillefer and Vercors ranges and peaks. The trail is poorly marked in the forest, so a GPS is recommended.

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