The Grotte du Loup starting from Miribel-les-Échelles

Here is a gentle stroll that will delight young and old alike in a very pleasant forest.

Details

66797558
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 172 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 179 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 606 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 447 m

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park at Le Villar on the outskirts of Miribel-les-Échelles.

(S/E) Start opposite on the Chemin du Château, then continue along the steeply descending path and follow the yellow markings on the field boundary posts. After a steep descent, reach the junction with the Chemin de Sous le Bois.

(1) Turn left here and, following the tarmac road uphill, reach the junction at the Le Chaboud signpost.

(2) Leave the road and turn right onto the wide track, then turn left immediately afterwards. Enter the deciduous woodland and reach the Ruisseau du Chenavas. Cross it via a well-secured wooden footbridge, then begin a short climb to reach a bridge formed by a beautiful stone arch.

(3) Cross this bridge and you will soon reach a junction at a hairpin bend with a sign for the Rocher qui Pleure.

(4) Turn 180° to the left and cross another bridge. Continue uphill until you reach the sign for the Grotte du Loup. Turn left and, after a short but steep descent, you will reach the cave.

(5) Return to the crossroads and turn left. Keep right at the sign for Notre-Dame de Miribel. Continue slightly uphill, leave the woods and join the Chemin du Château; turn right and, a few steps further on, you will reach the Villar car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 606 m - Villar car park
  2. 1 : km 1.02 - alt. 504 m - Chemin de Sous le Bois
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 521 m - Chaboud hiking signpost
  4. 3 : km 2.48 - alt. 470 m - Stone bridge
  5. 4 : km 2.76 - alt. 484 m - Weeping Rock
  6. 5 : km 3.56 - alt. 509 m - Grotte du Loup (Miribel-les-Échelles)
  7. S/E : km 4.35 - alt. 606 m - Villar car park

Notes

No water or shelter on this circular loop

Worth a visit

La Chartreuse.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Fiilou
Fiilou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stunning views of the Chartreuse mountains

Machine-translated

Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route overall, especially as it is possible to visit Notre Dame du Château on the way there and back from the trailhead, which adds a significant bonus to the route.

Machine-translated

Michel Galle
Michel Galle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty walk.
Shady
Worth repeating

Machine-translated

philmo
philmo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a little dog in no particular hurry, about two hours

Machine-translated

Michouchou
Michouchou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, very easy walk – and what’s more, the route is signposted!
I did the route in the direction shown on the Visorando map; this is the best route for young walkers.
The signposting starts in the opposite direction and, in my opinion, that’s not as good.
I did this route in the snow, so it took me a bit longer than expected given the difficulty level, but the estimated time on Visorando seems about right to me.
I recommend this hike, which can be done in half a day; I’ll no doubt do it again in the spring.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.