The Croix du Nivolet from Les Favres

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Definitely do this in the opposite direction! Descending the ladders is tricky, whereas climbing up is fairly easy. Obviously not suitable for dogs (unless you have a harness to pull them up).

The ideal hike for a sunny day: 90% shaded. However, it is unlikely to be passable after rain.

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Date of walk : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike, but probably safer in the opposite direction for people who don't like heights, because of the section with the cables. In any case, I wouldn't recommend it in wet weather.
We did the hike with my 10-year-old daughter. It's doable. The main difficulty for her was the climb. She loved the ladder/cable section.
The cables are indeed reassuring on this part of the rock face.
Be careful on the last climb, which is a 200-metre ascent over 1 kilometre. You'll feel it in your legs.

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Date of walk : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. After the Croix du Nivolet, the descent via the ladders is not straightforward and represents a difficult passage that needs to be taken into account depending on the group.
The signage is not clear.

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Date of walk : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

To do: lovely view after a good climb.
The descent remains difficult for fragile or damaged knees.

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Date of walk : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant hike

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There is indeed a long section where there are no markings, and without a map or GPS it is impossible to find your way. The ladders are difficult for shorter people to use as there is nowhere to hold on to when climbing down, although it may be easier going up. Otherwise, there are magnificent views from the top of the Croix du Nivolet

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Just a quick note: the name "Maison Brûlée" (Burnt House) that appears on IGN is an error on their part.
The place is actually called Grange de la Paleu and appears as such on old maps and signs.

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Date of walk : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike with stunning views from the summit and varied landscapes on the way back.
The circuit is done in the direction described. The climb is through the woods, with few markings.
Return via the ladders; caution is advised and this route is not suitable for novice hikers. The climb from the waterfall to the pass is longer than indicated in the description (45 mins). The elevation difference between the waterfall footbridge and the Col de la Doria needs to be revised (at least 200m).

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Date of walk : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

we did the route in reverse because of the ladders, and we were glad we did!
Very beautiful waterfalls and lovely views of the mountains during the climb to the cross.
but there were lots of people around the summit and the cross, which was a family picnic area!
it wasn't easy to get away from it all!
nice descent through the woods to the Doria car park

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Date of walk : Apr 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We did the circuit in the opposite direction, so that we could tackle the ladders on the way up.
With a few minor variations on the descent.

There were some beautiful views from the Nivolet chalets down to the meadows below the cross: Chartreuse, Belledonnes, Lac du Bourget. ...
A very busy route for a Saturday during lockdown, we also came across many via ferrata climbers who had been coming to the site from the Doria car park in the afternoon.
Around midday, the cross is the picnic meeting point for all the brave souls who have climbed up from the Sire car park, but you can find nice spots away from the noisy groups.

An objective opinion from someone who can admire the Croix du Nivolet every day from their kitchen.

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Date of walk : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

Most of the route runs under cover of trees, which isn't very interesting. The Croix du Nivolet was packed with people, and it was impossible to find a place to sit.

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Date of walk : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Circuit starting from the Charmettes car park via the Col de la Doriaz.
Beautiful views at the Croix du Nivolet.
The coolness of the waterfall at Trou de la Doriaz was very welcome.

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Date of walk : Sep 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike to do in reverse to make the Echelles easier to climb. Hooks have been placed on the chimney climb to make the ascent easier, but on the descent, we saw people struggling. There is a lack of signposting, but we had the map with us and had no problems.
Beautiful views, lots of forests and a superb view on arrival at La Croix.

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Date of walk : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk of moderate difficulty (the ladders may be a problem for some, even though they are quite short). Avoid part of the route if you have a dog with you (same problem with the ladders).
At the top, the view is remarkable and magnificent.
As noted in one of the latest reviews, it is better to walk in the opposite direction to the suggested route, as the ladders are easier to climb than to descend.
Thank you to the author of the walk suggestion: we had an excellent day following their instructions.

(Note to the moderator: it might be a good idea to add one or two pictograms to the hike descriptions to indicate whether they are accessible to our canine companions).

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Date of walk : Jul 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It is much more interesting to do this hike in the opposite direction to the one recommended:
- variety of landscapes on the way there: forest, waterfalls, fields, rocks, climbing the ladders is easier than descending them
- no climb on the way back, only descent
A very beautiful walk!

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