La Ferrière (Isère) walks

A very pretty hike in the Belledonne massif. A forest to climb in the cool, mountain pastures offering unobstructed views of the surrounding area and very pretty lakes that reward the effort it takes to get there. Raspberries and blueberries along the way in season, which is a nice bonus!

Starting from the village of Gleysin, from the Bourgeat Noire car park, this beautiful loop in Belledonne connects several iconic sites in the Haut Bréda valley.The route passes by the Chalet du Bout, then climbs up to the Croix du Léat, before descending to the peaceful Lac du Léat, ideal for a quiet bivouac with views of the Chartreuse and the Bauges. The route continues to the Refuge de l'Oule, a small, friendly alpine lodge where you can also spend the night, then descends back to the starting point. We did this hike over two days with a night at the lake, but it can also be done in a day for the more experienced. A beautiful and varied loop, between forests, alpine pastures, open ridges and wild waterways.

This is a beautiful loop for a day trip in the Belledonne massif, with varied terrain and landscapes. The refuge can be a stopover for more alpine hikes.

A lovely snowshoe hike above Grésivaudan through forests and meadows, offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The route is easy and ends at the Crêt du Poulet refuge, where you can enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

An easy hiking version of this climb to the Grand Rocher. Once past the refuge, the route follows the Crêt Luisard ridge, where the view is breathtaking in all directions, and you can even see Mont Blanc from the summit.

Short hike to the Crêt du Poulet orientation tables via the Chalet Pierre Roubet.

A family walk through forests and meadows in the Belledonne Massif with superb panoramic views of the Grande Chartreuse Massif on one side and the Vanoise and Sept-Laux on the other.

A stone's throw from town and you're high in the mountains. But pay attention to the risks.

A beautiful hike which, after leaving the forest, takes you to some superb lakes through a fairly rocky landscape.

A good hike in the crystalline Belledonne massif, the Combe Madame refuge is not very high up, but it provides access to areas for experienced and hardy mountaineers. Water is everywhere, lakes are nearby, wildlife inhabits the vertiginous slopes and hikers are treated to breathtaking views.

Hike between lakes and mountains around the Refuge des Sept Laux.

This hike takes you to the Lacs des Sept Laux plateau from Le Pleynet. It is possible to stay overnight at the refuge.

A circular route in the beautiful valley between Theys and the Col du Barioz, ideal for a sunny winter afternoon. Yellow signs mark the route, as well as wooden signs marked "Tour de la Villette".

The second stage of this circular loop in the Belledonne Massif, sometimes on balcony trails, sometimes through wild valleys, allows you to go around the Allevard massif.

This is a very pretty route through the mountain pastures to the Col de Claran, offering panoramic views of all the mountains in the Bauges and Chartreuse regions in particular, but also far beyond, as far as Mont Blanc and Mont Aiguille. The circuit is very well marked with traditional yellow signs and markings on the rocks at regular intervals.

This is a magnificent, easy walk that takes you through many beautiful natural sites, with breathtaking views of the Grésivaudan valley and the Chartreuse mountains.

Loop between Prapoutel and Pipay, from the forest to the Balcon des Sept Laux trail, offering breathtaking views of the Chartreuse Massif and birds flying across the Belledonne sky. With a bit of luck, you may spot a bearded vulture, one of only four species of vulture in France, which is currently being reintroduced in the Alps.

A forest loop allows you to reach the Pont de la Betta, the starting point for a multitude of other hikes, while discovering the charming hamlet of Prabert and the magnificent Cascade des Avoux waterfall.

This is a beautiful, very easy walk through the forests surrounding Prapoutel, passing through various places such as the Pré de l'Arc and its holiday camp, the Gros Caillou, and the Chalet des Cortillets with its panoramic view of the Chartreuse Mountains and the Grésivaudan Valley.

A beautiful family walk in the heart of the Belledonne forest, starting from the Prapoutel resort (Les Sept Laux). This easy walk can be done via several routes and paths, all leading to Pré de l'Arc, where it is impossible to get lost thanks to the clear signposting.

A splendid route, partly off-trail, offering views of the north face of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière and its reflections in the emerald lakes of Sambuis and La Croix: panoramic views. Many ibex frequent the rocky outcrops above the lakes. This hike presents no difficulty apart from the elevation gain and finding the route (4km without markings).

A lovely day's hike with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière, offering plenty of refreshment thanks to a myriad of lakes and, in the background, the Aiguilles d'Arves and La Meije.

A lovely, easy hike through the mountain pastures at high altitude, between two legendary Tour de France passes.

The climb is not very long but quite steep above the Grand Maison dam lake, below the Aiguilles de l'Argentières and opposite the Grandes Rousses, to reach a beautiful lake at the foot of the Sept-Laux massif. Ibex can be seen here when the sheep are not grazing.

This wild hike takes place in spectacular, uncrowded locations, with a good third of the route on a faint but obvious trail that presents no technical difficulties. There are many ibex and chamois as soon as you leave the marked trails, and it is easy to observe them if you set off early enough. A recommended alternative is to climb to the Pointe Centrale du Ferrouillet from the Col de la Brêche, which does not increase the difficulty (allow 30 minutes there and back).

This magnificent circular hike begins with the fairly busy route from the Muret car park to the delightful Lac de la Coche. The trail becomes wild as it follows the GR®738 across the discreet eastern slope of the Belledonne mountain range. It passes under the Pointes du Sifflet, karstic cave de la Scia and Ferrouillet peaks, offering magnificent views of the Olle Valley and the eastern face of the Grand Pic de Belledonne. In a high-mountain mineral landscape, the trail crosses the Col de la Brèche Fendue to reach the Col de la Mine de Fer. Leaving the GR®, it descends towards the superb and popular Lac de Crop, then descends its lock and crosses the forest.

A beautiful circular loop in the Belledonne Massif, where this hike starts from the mountain pastures and takes us through a mineral world to a haven of tranquillity on the edge of the Sept Laux (Seven Lakes). The return journey, along the ridge or through wild valleys, takes us around the Allevard massif.

A very beautiful stage in the Belledonne Massif, starting from the mountain pastures, which takes us through a mineral world to a setting of tranquillity on the edge of the Sept Laux (seven lakes).

This superb circular hike in the Belledonne massif starts at the Muret car park. The route leads to Lac de la Coche, then crosses the slopes of Roches Jaunes before following the Ruisseau du Clétat and climbing the Col de L'Aigleton. It descends the steep opposite slope, passes the charming little Lacs du Vénétier, then climbs to the Col de la Jasse and reaches the Cime de la Jasse via the ridge. It drops down into the Vallon de la Jasse, passes over the crest of the Montagne de Bédina, and follows a wide track to Plan Cortillets. It crosses the forest to reach Gros Caillou and then Pré de l'Arc, finally taking a gently sloping forest track to complete the loop.

A classic hike in the heart of Belledonne, ending at one of the great lakes of Belledonne, outside the Sept Laux. Round trip hike.

Loop ascending through the pretty Vénétier valley and its lakes to the Cime de la Jasse, a beautiful viewpoint due to its advanced position between Belledonne and Sept-Laux. Return via the Crête de Bedina, on the Prapoutel resort side.

From Val Pelouse, the ascent of Les Grands Moulins (2,495 m) offers hikers a varied and magnificent route. This summit is the penultimate rocky bastion at the northern end of the Belledonne mountain range. At the summit of Les Grands Moulins, the 360° panorama is breathtaking. To the south, Belledonne; to the west, Chartreuse and Vercors; to the north, the Chambéry cluse, Les Bauges and Les Aravis; to the east, Lauzière, Beaufortain, Vanoise and, in the background, the majestic Mont Blanc.

A pleasant hike in the Belledonne massif. Very pretty views and a wide variety of vegetation. Moderator's note (Caution): The Val Pelouse road is closed to all traffic 5.5km from the car park: following a landslide in January 2022, a large section of the road has been washed away.

From the Col de la Croix de Fer, often used by the Tour de France, enjoy a peaceful short hike on a little-used slope. Beautiful views of the surrounding area, particularly the Aiguilles d'Arves.

This circular, which starts at the Col de la Croix de Fer and passes by the Refuge de l'Étendard, gives you a taste of the high mountain atmosphere. Snow cover persists for quite a long time after winter. This hike is best done in late August or September. This hike can be easy in summer or difficult when there is snow (winter or spring). I did it when there was a lot of snow, which is why I consider it to be quite difficult.

This hike, which takes place entirely above 2,000 metres, takes you to the edge of two artificial lakes fed largely by the Saint-Sorlin Glacier, dominated by the Pic de l'Étandard.