La Moucherotte de Lans

An easy loop starting from the Lans-en-Vercors snow stadium to reach the summit of Moucherotte (on snowshoes or on foot).
Caution: do not descend via the Combe de Saint-Nizier if visibility is poor. Stay on the path.

Details

190588
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.63 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 605 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 605 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,881 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,365 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Stade de Neige de Lans-en-Vercors, in the first car park on the left as you arrive.

(S/E) Take theGR®91north for 2 km along a path marked for snowshoes in winter.

(1) Leave it on the right (1550m) via a path that leads to the Cabane des Ramées.

(2) Head north-east on the plateau and further on join theGR®91.

(3) Follow theGR® north-northeast to the summit of Moucherotte.

(4) Return south on theGR® until you reach the fork on the right towards the Pas de l'Echelle (or Pas de la Bergère).

(3) Descend into the valley (Combe de Saint-Nizier) and turn left 200 m before the pass.

(5) Continue along the same level until you reach the edge of the plateau, which you will follow along a flat path for 2 km.

(6) Reach a small peak, the Croix des Ramées, for a view of the valley. Head south and join the Tour des Quatre Montagnes marked in yellow and red.

(7) Leave it on your right and continue south on the path that joins theGR®91from the outward journey. Turn right onto theGR®91to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,386 m - Sierre car park
  2. 1 : km 2.24 - alt. 1,574 m - Les Ramées refuge
  3. 2 : km 3.75 - alt. 1,712 m - Top of the Combe de Saint-Nizier - GR91
  4. 3 : km 5.74 - alt. 1,875 m - Summit - Moucherotte (le)
  5. 4 : km 8.26 - alt. 1,602 m - Before the Pas
  6. 5 : km 9.6 - alt. 1,597 m - Croix des Ramées
  7. 6 : km 10.47 - alt. 1,453 m - South-facing
  8. S/E : km 11.63 - alt. 1,386 m - Sierre car park

Notes

Shelter at Les Ramées and small refuge below the summit.
In case of fog or bad weather, descend all the way down via the GR® trail.
In winter, follow the snowshoe trail to the Ramées hut and not the ski trail.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Downhill and cross-country ski resort in Lans en Vercors.
Park House in Lans (open during the week).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Alves Martine
Alves Martine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike across the flower-filled Ramées plateau with magnificent views of Grenoble from Moucherotte. Return via the bucolic Pas de la Tinette trail with an exceptional view of Lans en Vercors

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Fahrenheit911
Fahrenheit911
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route completed (excluding the Moucherotte return trip) in December 2024 on snowshoes in good snow conditions (packed or powder), but the trail requires careful attention. However, there are magnificent views of the Grenoble and Lans valleys.
From 0.5 km to 1.7 km, the trail follows the Chevreuils and Eterlou ski slopes, where there are signs (square purple sign + snowshoe symbol) for snowshoers. A ski patroller kindly directed us to the official trail.
From marker 4 to marker 5, the trail runs too close to the cliff with a fairly exposed section at 8.7 km. On the map, there is a path that should run along the edge, but with the snow, it is impossible to assess how stable it is. Between 4 and 5, I recommend staying well to the east of the trail.
More generally, exercise great caution when approaching the ridges. The snow may be overhanging the drop. => cornice

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artmartial
artmartial

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Good hike without any difficulties. Beautiful weather.
Enjoyable

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JCParavy
JCParavy
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Walking and snowshoeing loop at Moucherotte from the Lans-en-Vercors snow stadium.
I didn't quite follow the Topo guide: I climbed up via the Pas de la Tinette, the Croix des Ramées and then the Combe de St Nizier, returning via the Habert des Ramées and the Virets.
I preferred the opposite direction for the loop and a few variations.
The snow was good, I only put on my snowshoes for the descent.
There were great views of all the mountains, but it was very busy on a sunny Sunday...

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26

Hello,

This is a snowshoeing guidebook, and the route may not necessarily correspond to the trails used during the summer season.

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francoisdumortier
francoisdumortier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, the GPX track wasn't accurate enough.

We descended a large part of the Pas des Échelles before we realised.

At another point, we searched in vain for the path through dense vegetation before finding the right track again.

I would be happy to send you a more detailed and accurate GPX track.

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alsa281052
alsa281052

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Le Moucherotte: beautiful view of the entire region Easy access from the Lans en Vercors snow stadium
If you set off early, you won't need snowshoes, which can stay in your bag; a pair of lightweight crampons will suffice. Setting off early also means there are fewer people on the way up, and on the way down you'll meet those coming up!

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nicole.badin@sfr.fr
nicole.badin@sfr.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike undertaken during the week and outside school holidays.
Gradual ascent, no difficulties. Well-marked route
Beautiful views from the top of Moucherotte

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Paderic
Paderic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed during the week and outside of school holidays, so not too crowded.
Snowshoeing on beautiful fresh snow.
After the Ramées hut, we allowed ourselves a little detour towards the ridges overlooking Grenoble, quickly returning to the suggested route after point 3. It was really beautiful.
Magnificent view from the top of Moucherotte.

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Richard D288
Richard D288

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb up to La Moucherotte is easy and requires no reference to the route description or map: it is a signposted snowshoe trail and impossible to get lost.
Strong gusts of wind on Saturday 6 February 2021 limited us to an altitude of 1,708 metres, landmark 3 on the route.
The second part, in the Combe de St Nizier and along the cliffs (safe and with no vertiginous sections) was wonderful!

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Sa ci
Sa ci

hello
how did you manage to get around the herd, especially the patous?

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Rigollier
Rigollier

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The last signpost "Belvédère Vertiges des Cimes" 35 mins -1.2 km is incorrectly positioned. It also indicates Moucherotte, which is correct.
To get to the Belvédère - Vertige des Cimes viewpoint, turn right at the "sous les Virets" sign at an altitude of 1,530 m.
This is an easy walk that can be recommended for families with children over 10 years old.
We went around the herd of 1,000 sheep and 9 patous. It's better for the peace and quiet of the sheep... and for us! lol

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nath38430
nath38430
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike
No problems with the patous
Disappointed by part of the trail, which is a very wide, rocky ski slope
But beautiful views at the top
Magnificent

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Sa ci
Sa ci

WARNING: AGGRESSIVE PATOUS
We set off on Sunday 28 June 2020 to hike the Moucherotte trail, but had to turn back very quickly after meeting a hiker who was coming down the trail. He had just been badly bitten by a patou and his arm was covered in blood.
After checking with the Lans-En-Vercors tourist office and reading internet blogs, it appears that this incident is common in the area.
So BE CAREFUL!

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pouget yves
pouget yves

And yet they all exist. I've done them many times. Most hikers haven't had any problems.
Best regards.

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