The Crête du Saint-Eynard

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

Details

n°47862

Creation:
08 Jan 2014

Last update:
10 Oct 2016

Last review:
05 Mar 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.36 km
Average duration: 2h 30
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 349 m
Descent: - 353 m
Highest point: 1,347 m
Lowest point: 989 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Chartreuse, Dauphiné
District: Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse (38700)
Start/End: N 45.249478° / E 5.769691°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3334OT, 3334OTR, 3335OT, 3335OTR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

The rocky folds of the Chartreuse massif

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the hamlet of La-Pillonières (S/E), on the Col du Saint-Eynard road.
Take the road eastwards to the exit of the hamlet.

(1) Turn right onto the wide track.
Climb quickly through a hedge of trees before reaching the ski slope. Follow it to the top and then take the wide path on the left.
Stay alert as you will soon reach the^GR®9.

(2) Take it on the right and stay on it until you reach the Saint-Eynard batteries.

(3) Take the yellow marked trail (it is a^PR®) which joins the Saint Eynard road at a pylon.

(4) Take the clearly visible path opposite and return easily to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 998 m
1 : km 0.56 - alt. 1,008 m - La Faurie crossroads
2 : km 1.51 - alt. 1,304 m - GR9 crossroads
3 : km 3.57 - alt. 1,310 m - Saint Eynard
4 : km 4.17 - alt. 1,179 m - Road junction
S/E : km 5.36 - alt. 997 m

Notes

There is no water on this circuit.
Please note that the^GR®9on the ridge is blocked by numerous trees, forcing hikers to go around them.
Important note: the elevation gain on this circuit is only 350 metres.

Worth a visit

Take advantage of this circuit to admire the bird's-eye view of Grenoble and the Grésivaudan valley.
In good weather, the view of the Belledonne mountain range opposite is remarkable.
Further south on the right, the Vercors and, above all, the famous Mont Aiguille are within easy reach.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

sempervivum

05 Mar 2024 at 19:03 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Use GPS to find the car park. The steep climb along the track is not worth the effort. The ridge path with its panoramic views is as beautiful as ever

Machine-translated

kru

18 Dec 2023 at 08:43 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Easy to access, the starting point can be reached by public transport from Grenoble with bus 62. However, the accuracy of the route leaves a little to be desired on the climb and it is better to cut across the middle rather than follow the GR9.
A very beautiful hike nonetheless, but beware of snow at the summit in winter!

Machine-translated

xtian74

26 Apr 2023 at 17:57 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The author's choice of route to start the hike at Les Pillonnières and reach the St. Eynard ridge is curious. Chartreuse-Tourisme provides an excellent description of this hike, starting from the large car park at the cross-country ski centre in Le Sappey and following the GR9 trail. Signposting from the car park to Fort St. Eynard.

Machine-translated

Supermum

10 Sep 2022 at 15:42 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's best to use Google Maps to locate the small car park before setting off. We did the route in reverse, following a pretty path with fairly steep ascents and descents along the edge of the ski slopes. When we arrived, the valley was hidden by mist, so we took the opportunity to visit the fort, which was open, and see the powder magazine, the chapel and the small exhibition on the restoration of the site. Then the clouds cleared: the view along the ridge is magnificent. The route and visit took 2 hours and 40 minutes, as indicated.
Thank you for the route.

Machine-translated

Delmer

15 Nov 2021 at 19:49 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb is very tough, but you can follow forest paths to make it a little easier. The arrival at the ridges and the trail along them are definitely worth the effort of the climb. A beautiful walk.

Machine-translated

nazonfly

23 May 2021 at 21:38 7200 • Edited: 15 Nov 2021 at 23:45 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike in good weather with magnificent views of Grenoble and the surrounding mountains, and a nice restaurant at the Fort.

However, we had a bit of trouble finding the directions given, so we ended up doing it... backwards.

So park at the GPS starting point, a small car park (space for 5-6 cars) in the hamlet of Les Bordelières, apparently just above Les Pillonières. Then take the road that starts off flat to the left when looking at the car park and continue for 5-10 minutes before you find the sign for the ski slope. The ski slope is a steep climb.

Machine-translated

bray

19 Oct 2020 at 09:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk with lovely views of the valley and the Belledonne mountain range. Option to dine at the St Eynard restaurant

Machine-translated

Nadine 38

05 Oct 2020 at 10:24 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

we never found the Pillonières car park, nor any signs indicating the start of the hike... so we drove up to the fort, which was closed, but we walked along the ridges above a magnificent sea of clouds

Machine-translated

denis neyret

30 Jun 2020 at 17:58 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the direct climb at the exit of the village of Pillonnieres is very difficult and not well signposted. Otherwise, it is a very beautiful route.

Machine-translated

Oh-Carole

30 Mar 2020 at 14:26 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

If I had known we would be in lockdown, I would have gone on a longer hike! But I was delighted to walk to Fort St Eynard alone in the snow. The sun was shining and I had a magnificent view of the valley. Thanks to the website, I found this idea for the length of hike I was looking for, and I knew where to park. After that, I admit I just followed the signs.

Machine-translated

Emesse

13 May 2019 at 21:19 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk with magnificent views of the Belledonne mountain range. We started the hike from the cross-country ski centre car park. No problems with the route.
Thanks to whoever marked the trail.

Machine-translated

henri57

08 Nov 2018 at 12:24 3600

Hello,

Reliability of description: Average
Reliability of map route: Average

Did the description and route cause any problems? If so, how can they be remedied? Can you make any suggestions?

See you soon

Machine-translated

carolineganansia

05 Nov 2018 at 13:29 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The trail was covered in snow, so it was difficult to see and there were few signs. We climbed up a winding forest road to discover the magnificent Grésivaudan valley and the city of Grenoble from the ridge. The return trip through the forest was very pleasant, but then we found ourselves on a paved road, so we cut across the fields, which was inconvenient because we had to climb under fences in the mud. But it was a wonderful walk nonetheless.

Machine-translated

Tee

27 Aug 2018 at 09:34 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Quite steep at first, very interesting on the ridge, but not really a good place for a picnic at the fort

Machine-translated

iza07

14 May 2018 at 17:27 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A steep climb to reach the ridges.
Magnificent view.
You have to make the round trip to Fort Saint Eynard, 200 metres away, one of the seven wonders of the Dauphiné (follow the signposts).
Completed in 2½ hours.

Machine-translated