Grenoble walks

Grenoble, capital of the Alps, is well known. Climbing 400 metres from the centre of the city reputed to be the flattest in France is less common. We suggest a slightly challenging walk to the military memorial on Mont Jalla and, on the way back, discovering the "380 steps".

The city has developed the western ascent of the Bastille, which is little known except to a few runners. This ascent is accessible via the Route de Clémencières. The proposed descent takes you back to the Jardin des Dauphins, but you can take another usual route (Fontaine du Lion or Porte Saint-Laurent, or even the Grenoble cable car, nicknamed "les Bulles").The slope is quite steep but safe. You will pass by some unusual views of the valley and the Grottes de Mandrin, a defensive structure of the Bastille's glacis.This hike should not be attempted in rainy weather or up to 24 hours afterwards, as the ground is slippery. The return trip is not recommended.

A path leading to the Bastille de Grenoble was built in 2025. From the houses of Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux, you can quickly reach the woods, where the route winds between oak trees and small scree slopes. The work has made the path easier and more user-friendly, but the climb remains challenging At the Fort, admire the panoramic view of the Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse mountain ranges. Descend towards Porte de France and Parc Guy Pape. Important note: this route is not recommended after a day of rain, as the ground is very slippery.

The perfect family walk: easy, fun, with trails that all lead to the same place, Pré Faure. This circuit is unique in that it passes through the "Désert Jean-Jacques Rousseau", worthy of the greatest romantics, climbs up to the Ferme Froussard, a historic site linked to the Resistance, and returns via a viewpoint offering a superb view of Grenoble and its valley. More challenging access from the town of Fontaine via the "Coup de Sabre"

On the outskirts of the capital of the Alps, a circular route starting from Eybens provides access to the Fort de Montavie overlooking Grenoble. This is more of a walk than a hike, offering remarkable views of the three mountain ranges surrounding the Drac and Isère valleys: Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors.

This is a short, easy hike on the outskirts of Grenoble, accessible by TAG bus, which will give you a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains.

This circular route takes you around the Quatre Seigneurs hill, offering a variety of breathtaking views of the nearby city of Grenoble and the Grésivaudan valley.

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.

Easy access to Mont Rachais. View over Chartreuse, Belledonne, Grenoble and the Vercors.

A classic hike from the Col de Vence to the Fort du Saint-Eynard. The entire route follows theGR®9trail, with no difficulty in finding your way. Wide panoramic view from the summit.

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.

A short hike to enjoy this geological feature: a flaming fountain.

Mount Rachais, from the hamlet of Frette, situated on its far northern side.

A beautiful circular loop that climbs up to Moucherotte via the east face (the steepest face) and descends via the ridges, avoiding the busiest paths. Please note: the climb is demanding: sections with cables in the rocks, sections requiring the use of your hands, trail not always easy to find. Moderator's note added on 14/09/2021 (still relevant on 24 April 2023): the cable section is currently closed and undergoing renovation work. See comments at the bottom of the page.

Climbing the Moucherotte via the east face from Saint-Nizier is a wild and little-known route. The return via the large ski jump (on foot, fortunately) is also unusual. Yellow and green markings, as well as white/red.

A leisurely stroll in the hills above Herbeys with a magnificent view of the Vercors.

Here is another route for climbing Moucherotte, a little more challenging than the one starting from Lans-en-Vercors. The elevation gain is a little greater and the mountain trail requires good footwear. The 360° panorama is just as sublime and the view over the Grenoble basin is just as impressive.

A short loop offering a pretty passage through the Défilé du Coulou gorge to reach the Pas du Curé before descending to the Engins dam and then, following the Furon river, reaching the Pas de la Corne climb via theGR®9. Please note that there are some fairly technical sections in the Coulou Pass, with and without handrails. Please take great care It is not possible to complete the loop; see the notices

This gentle walk not only takes you along the Haute-Jarrie Nature Reserve and its reed beds, but also allows you to admire beautiful landscapes of the Vercors and Belledonne mountain ranges and stroll through the Haute-Jarrie forest with its chestnut and birch trees. The walk can be lengthened or shortened.

This circuit runs along the Saint-Eynard ridge and offers a bird's eye view of the Grésivaudan valley and Grenoble.

This beautiful hike on the Sornin plateau allows you to visit the large pylon overlooking the Isère valley at a place called La Dent du Loup.

Among the many possible combinations on the Plateau de Sornin, this circular route allows you to go around it and soak up this area of the Vercors, while also taking in sites offering unobstructed views. The route is accessible in almost all seasons, with snowshoes if there is heavy snowfall.

A very pleasant walk on a plateau well known to Grenoble residents and enjoyable in all seasons.

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.

A pleasant short hike, just a stone's throw from Grenoble, offering beautiful views of the various mountain ranges surrounding the Grenoble region.

Climb up to the magnificent Moucherotte viewpoint by taking a circular route up the wild Pas de la Bergère and back down the 'normal' route to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte.

This short walk gives you an overview of the village and the Champagnier plateau. After the Saut du Moine, you can enjoy views of the Jarrie hillside with the Belledonne mountain range and the Chartreuse mountains in the background.

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 circuit has the advantage of being able to be interrupted at any time for a shorter return. It can also be the starting point for a long hike to Le Moucherotte to the north or the Col de l'Arc to the south. Finally, for very young children, there is a short round trip to the peat bog, a unique feature in this area. The views of the other mountains are only possible from the peat bog, as the rest of the hike is in the woods until Savoyères.

A hike with a variety of points of interest, including the beginnings of skiing, rural life with woodworking and alpine pastures, and the impressive cliffs of Chamechaude.

This easy hike takes you to an alpine pasture above the small resort of Sappey-en Chartreuse. You will arrive at a magnificent site at the foot of the Chamechaude cliffs, with an exceptional panorama stretching from the Sept Laux massif to the Vercors.

A lovely walk offering views of the entire Sappey-en-Chartreuse valley and the surrounding mountains.

From Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, climb up to the ridges of Mont Saint-Eynard, which offer beautiful panoramic views of the Belledonne mountains, the Dent de Crolles and Chamechaude.

This small peak in the forest above Sappey-en-Chartreuse makes for a very pleasant outing in the forest. There are few views, except from the summit, which offers a beautiful panorama of the Belledonne massif, Chamechaude and the Dent de Crolles.

Another pleasant hike, suitable for all seasons, to discover the Grenoble region, the eastern balcony of the Vercors and cool off under an invigorating waterfall.

Bucolic walk along the Bruyant, at the bottom of the gorges, before reaching the Moucherotte ridges via the Pas de la Bergère, which can be difficult in wet weather. Do this in this direction as the descent via the Pas de la Bergère can be difficult or even dangerous after rain. 300 m below the Cabane des Ramées (south), a path on the left in a meadow (cairn) leads to the Trou St Michel, a cave that emerges from the cliff (incorrectly located on the map)

Short hike in the Bruyant Gorges, with a beautiful view of the Furon Gorges at the Bec de l'Aigle.

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.

Among the routes available near the city of Grenoble, here is a relatively short one with a reasonable elevation gain, which will give you an overview of the mountains surrounding the city. The route varies between forest and meadows.

Created in 2014, the spectacular "Vertige des Cimes" footbridge has become one of the most popular destinations in the Vercors massif. It offers a superb view of the Grenoble basin and the surrounding mountains, but pushing on to the open summit of the Grand Cheval adds a little extra wildness to this hike.

An easy loop starting from the Lans-en-Vercors snow stadium to reach the summit of Moucherotte (on snowshoes or on foot). Caution: do not descend via the Combe de Saint-Nizier if visibility is poor. Stay on the path.

This hike offers magnificent views of Grenoble, the Belledonne massif, Mont Blanc, Chartreuse and Oisans. It can be done in the middle of an autumn afternoon to enjoy the sunset towards the (4), but bring a torch for the return journey and take extra care. 09/09/2024: Hiking is prohibited during the winter months (December to April inclusive) to respect the black grouse's quiet zone. See practical information.

A hike on the eastern flank of the Vercors above Lans-en-Vercors takes you to Le Moucherotte via the Vertige des Cimes, a footbridge that juts out two metres above the void. An easy hike offering spectacular views of all the surrounding mountains and Grenoble.

One of the peaks bordering the Vercors Regional Park to the east. Relatively easy to access, in good weather it offers a wide panorama from Mont Blanc on your left to the Écrins massif via the Belledonne chain. The climb via the Combe Oursière is less frequented than via Les Allières. A well-shaded route for most of the way.

Family hike offering a bird's eye view of Grenoble and a beautiful view of the Gerbier ridge.

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

A circular route along old, little-used paths, allowing you to discover the natural wonders around the spectacular Crête des Crocs: the magnificent Arche des Crocs, the Pierre Fendue, the "Main", the Rocher de l'Ours and its unique view of the Roc Cornafion, and the Crête des Crocs and its bird's eye view of the Col de l'Arc and the Pic Saint-Michel. The main difficulty is finding the route, as the paths are very poorly marked. Please note: see practical information.

A very beautiful hike offering superb views of the Grenoble region and the Vercors from the summit.

More of a walk than a hike, this double loop allows you to discover the large Allières plateau above Lans-en-Vercors. The route is clearly marked with signs at the various crossroads and is a great outing in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

This easily accessed summit is located on a ridge between the "Vallée de la Gresse" and the Vercors plateau. It offers a breathtaking view on Belledonne, Les Rousses and a bit further Les Ecrins.