La Croix de Jaume and Pas de Bellecombe

This hike takes place partly on a fairly open ridge and partly in the forest. The Pas de Bellecombe offers a pleasant spot for a picnic and a viewpoint over the part of the Vercors that stretches from Moucherotte to Pic Saint-Michel, the Grenoble basin and the Belledonne massif.

Details

535695
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 530 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 536 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,648 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,179 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking at Col de la Croix Perrin next to the hotel.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path heading south-west, marked with yellow markings and hiking signs. You will reach a small road.

(1) Turn left and walk downhill until you reach the main road. After crossing the road, take the path heading south-east. At the first fork, take the path on the right and continue to the hamlet of Chemin Neuf.

(2) Turn left onto a good path and start climbing until you reach the ridge.

(3) Here, join the path that climbs up from Lans-en-Vercors. Turn left and continue along this good path. Reach the Croix de Jaume (4) and enjoy the first viewpoint over Lans-en-Vercors and Pic Saint-Michel. Continue along the path on this undulating ridge without gaining much altitude. Reach the fork with the forest track.

(5) Ignore the path that descends to the left (this will be the return route) and continue straight ahead to Pas de Bellecombe. Enjoy the view.

(6) Take the path in the opposite direction to return to the previous fork.

(5) Take the path on the right and continue to a hairpin bend. Continue along the track opposite and you will soon reach its end.

(7) Take the path opposite which descends into the forest. Continue descending in the same direction (west), ignoring any paths or tracks that branch off to the right or left. Be careful not to rely too much on the signposting, which is sometimes unclear and can be misleading. You will reach the tarmac forest road.

(8) Cross it and continue on the path that descends opposite. When you reach a track, turn left and continue on this track. Do not follow the track on the right that joins the road. Look for the path that continues straight ahead, then turns slightly to the left and begins to climb. Join a path that descends.

(9) Take it on the right and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,217 m - Col de la Croix Perrin car park
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 1,213 m - Small road, on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.63 - alt. 1,191 m - Le Chemin Neuf, on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.27 - alt. 1,289 m - Ridge, on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.35 - alt. 1,405 m - Croix de Jaume
  6. 5 : km 5.71 - alt. 1,621 m - Forest track, straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 7.54 - alt. 1,617 m - Pas de Bellecombe
  8. 7 : km 11.03 - alt. 1,454 m - End of the track, path opposite
  9. 8 : km 11.79 - alt. 1,324 m - Forest road, opposite
  10. 9 : km 13.3 - alt. 1,242 m - Downhill path on the right
  11. S/E : km 13.93 - alt. 1,217 m - Col de la Croix Perrin car park

Notes

There are no shelters or water sources along the route.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 3672076

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike without any particular difficulty
Breathtaking views with autumn colours, a big blue sky and a sea of clouds below
Thank you very much for this route!

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nanourando38
nanourando38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with few difficulties.

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Ansyl
Ansyl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I stopped at the crossroads of the four municipalities,
Mont Blanc in sight,
with beautiful panoramic views.
A very beautiful hike,
i'll do it again in the summer.

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Pat Patroff
Pat Patroff

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Indeed, a very pleasant hike in the shade.
The return trip on the gravel path is not great, so it's better to turn off onto the road (closed to cars).

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Jmi26
Jmi26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike in the forest, ideal in hot weather, but few views except between markers 4 and 6.
Magnificent panorama as you approach the Pas de Bellecombe and lots of wild raspberries (mid-August)
The return path from marker 5 is very stony. If you are not very comfortable on this type of trail, follow the small road closed to traffic (permanently?) from marker 8. It joins the Col de la Croix Perrin.

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lougatt
lougatt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the shade, ideal in hot weather.
Great views, easy route to follow and not many people.

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Picson06230
Picson06230

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


A lovely walk at the start of our stay. Its long shaded sections were very pleasant given the heatwave.

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patrick.bormann
patrick.bormann

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike in summer thanks to the tree cover. Beautiful view of Mont Blanc from the Jaume cross. The return journey is a little tricky on stony paths.
Thanks to the author of this hike

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bebert38
bebert38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that takes about 4 hours rather than 5 hours and 15 minutes as indicated. Not very difficult after the initial climb to reach the ridge.
half of the hike was in the snow. Best done in summer as it is very shady

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dannie
dannie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike avoiding roads, therefore pleasant trails.
Beautiful views at the summit in particular.

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comte.brigitte
comte.brigitte

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Small error (or change) in the description. Follow the "yellow and green" markings all the way, even on the descent.
Please note that the path has been covered with stones, which makes the descent very difficult. If you have sensitive feet and knees, it is better to take the path used for the ascent.
The landscapes and views are very beautiful.

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manu38370
manu38370

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike that takes about 3 hours rather than 5 hours and 15 minutes as indicated. Not very difficult after the initial climb to reach the ridge.
Great view if there's no fog!

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Cagolette
Cagolette

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A very gentle climb on an easy path through the forest (so in the shade), with no real "view" except from the lookout points.
The highest point of the hike is quite nice, but if you can, it's better to "push a little further" (climb up and down a bit) to get an even prettier view. Bring binoculars to watch the marmots
The descent is more challenging if you take the fork to make a circular route: much steeper descent with lots of rocks, poorly marked fork on the GR. So if you have sensitive knees or are tired, I recommend taking the same route on the way back as on the way there.

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CR1952LM
CR1952LM

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike organised with the support of Visorando, with around fifty participants.
Beautiful views of Lans en Vercors and Villard de Lans.

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Deuxpattes
Deuxpattes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful views... mild and sunny weather... perfect

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