La Grande Moucherolle

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking in the Fauge valley and then past Lake Moucherolle is simply extraordinary. The resort area does not detract from the overall enjoyment. There are many opportunities to look up and admire the scenery.
Four personal remarks:
- It may seem silly, but I recommend eating well before the climbing section, which, although not difficult, can be exhausting.
- The climbing section is not difficult (bis repetita). However, it is very exposed. A mistake would certainly be fatal. Personally (as a risk management specialist), I recommend that groups use ropes (harnesses are optional, but bring three straps and three carabiners, and possibly a nut). Avoid doing this hike solo, except for VERY EXPERIENCED individuals, and even then...
- for the descent between the summit and the Col de la Moucherolle, don't hesitate to check the app regularly. The trail is not always well marked and it is possible to follow another route which, although it eventually brings you back to the trail, is much less pleasant.
- To return to the resort, follow the forest road. Cutting across the slopes doesn't save much time and your legs are tired enough as it is!

Ultimately, I think the difficult rating is optimistic; I would have rated this route as very difficult, if only for the climbing section.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

You can save time on the way up by following the ski slopes (Clots+Bourgon to Lac du Pré).
At point 5, above the Grand Canyon chairlift, you can take an alternative (and less frequented) path to Lac de la Moucherolle (path indicated on Open Street Map and marked on the domain), turning back at point 6 to reach the lake (otherwise you will reach the Col de Deux Soeurs directly).

The approach to the Grande Moucherolle is easy until you reach the chimney. As I'm a bit vertigo-prone, I stayed on the north side, following the few yellow marks on the rock as closely as possible. The climb isn't difficult, but you need to be careful given the slope (the north side is less steep, so it's best to stick to that!)

The climb is obviously worth it! Magnificent 360° view!

For the descent, I went via the Fenêtre ridges (called Accès Grande Moucherolle by the window on Open Street Map), which allow you to pass by the Arche de la Fenêtre. The descent is quite steep and rocky (especially after the Arche, keep to the right), but cables allow you to secure yourself before reaching the ski slopes.

The most interesting part is over, and the descent on the ski slopes can then seem long... The circuit took 6½ hours, with a good lunch break at the summit of the Grande Moucherolle.

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Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful.
Very dangerous.

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Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this hike. Of course, there are always good and bad reviews, so you have to form your own opinion by doing things yourself.

I followed it in the same order as described (chronological order). It's not for the faint-hearted, as climbing on cliffs isn't easy for everyone, but it's definitely worth a look!
Just remember to take it slowly and test the rocks that will be your handholds.

The view of the lake is sublime! We even saw a few marmots and ibexes

You can do it the other way round, the climb will be easier but the descent down the cliff isn't easy either...

It takes a little over 5 hours to complete

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

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To climb La Moucherotte, you have no choice but to approach (partly) via the ski slopes. After the climb to the summit, it is difficult, but this is clearly indicated in the description, which you should read, although many people have done it without any problems.

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Date of your route : Sep 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We did this hike on Saturday, 16 September in rainy, windy and cold weather.
This route is very difficult, especially between points 8 and 9. We couldn't find the path and had to turn back between points 8 and 9.
Even I, who am afraid of heights, had a very difficult time, but fortunately the group helped me.
I do not recommend this route, especially since the paths are not very attractive and are located on ski slopes.

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Yes, it's difficult but not dangerous if you follow the well-marked classic route.
Many people have done it without any problems.

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Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very disappointing for the route between 8 and 9...

Turned back at the Grande Moucherolle.
This hike is very difficult in terms of the climb up the Grande Moucherolle (between WPT 8 and 9). I turned back because (even though I was prepared to use my hands) the GPS route does not reflect the actual route (in my opinion). It sends people to the edge of the cliff where there is no obvious way through.
On the way back, I saw a hiker coming down from the Grande Moucherolle who told me that he had taken a route further north ("definitely not along the cliff"). He described a fairly easy passage requiring a little use of your hands but "no climbing".
I'll try again in the other direction and see if I can "mark" the passage.

In summary... beware of the 'enthusiastic' reviews from 2022.
Rereading the old reviews (from 2019 and before), I find that they really reflect my experience.

This time, it wasn't a good Visorando experience for me (which is rare for me to mention) because the route didn't match the description (or lack of description) at one of the two most exposed points on the route.

Yes, there are people between the cable car arrival point and Moucherolle Lake. It's a section with lots of families and young children who come to enjoy the view, the cool lake water and the short climb. But once you're past the lake, you're back to the tranquillity of hiking at altitude.

Yes, you walk on the slopes. Personally, I put up with it, telling myself that it's better to walk on ground that has already been well trodden by humans and leave the little nature that remains in a ski resort alone. The main drawback is that the slopes are not shaded at all...

I'll keep the splendid view at the foot of the Grande Moucherolle to myself. It's a shame I couldn't climb to the top to enjoy the 360° view

Finally, no ibex above the lake, but marmots!

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oK, thank you for the feedback

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I don't have the answer because I've never done it.

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Hello,
The description says to go through the window: do you go through the arch? ... I don't think so.
I would really like to see this arch up close, but it seems that to do so, you have to take the path called "accès Grande Moucherolle par la fenêtre" (on OpenStreetMap... not indicated on IGN because they are still on the street).
So:
1- Is this the right path to take? How difficult is it? Can you go up and down it?
2- Is it worth going there to see the arch on its best day? Just because you're passing by doesn't necessarily mean the view is beautiful

Thanks in advance

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Date of your route : Aug 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

What a beautiful loop! There are quite a few people on the "ski slope" sections in the second half of the climb. The summit is great to reach. And what a pleasure to have a descent that is mostly on a gentle slope!

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The main attraction is climbing to the top of Moucherolle.
Unfortunately, you have to go through ski slopes. How else can you do it?

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Date of your route : Aug 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Nice climb up to Lac des Prés with the Gerbier ridges in the background.
Then climb up to Lac du Moucherolle via the trails, which are quite busy around 2,000 metres.
Once you pass the lake and head west, there's no one else on the trail.
The final climb is very nice with a few small climbing steps, which can be a little daunting (avoid in wet weather).
only two people at the summit and a magnificent view.
There is an alternative route down via the Pas de la Fenêtre, with a few cables to help if needed. The descent is a little more technical on the scree and should be reserved for dry days.

For me, the main interest is in the climb up to the Lac des Prés and then above the Lac du Moucherolle to the summit.
The descent via the slopes is not very pleasant but has the advantage of completing the loop!

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Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, stunning scenery, views of the Vercors and Dévoluy mountains
Be careful on the fairly difficult and steep climb up and down La Moucherolle
You can also take a detour via the little Moucherolle
The only downside is the return trip via the ski slopes

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