The Tête des Chaudières loop

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A few issues with the cairns, but otherwise it's a very nice hike. It's not dangerous. Avoid the "direct climb up the slope". I recommend it in good weather, both for the scenery and because some of the cairns are difficult to find.

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Date of your route : Jun 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For my second visit to this beautiful route, I opted for two variations:
1) Turn left on the climb through the forest to pass by the Combe de Fer hut, which allows you to pass through the karstic cave of the same name (the coolness of the cave is welcome in hot weather), then return to the route by heading directly to the Play hut via a well-marked trail
2) From there, I don't recommend going straight up. Instead, as suggested by others, follow the cairns south/south-east towards the ridges and reach the summit via the ridge line (spectacular views and potentially ibexes)

Frequency: surprisingly very limited at the end of June, whereas the Pas de la Balme was "crowded" during another visit in November!

The descent is rocky, so be careful if you have sensitive knees...

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

Difficult hike from the Serre hut:
Crossing a steep scree slope, marked by cairns that blend in with the ground.
The steep slope leading to the ridge is also marked by cairns on a decent path across a stony mountain pasture.
The ridge should be crossed in clear weather as the trail is broken in places and good visibility is required to spot the few cairns, especially to ensure a safe passage over technical ground and to fully enjoy the fantastic view to the Pas de la Balme.

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A difficult hike due to the climb up the sharp limestone pavement after the Combe du Fer refuge and the rocky descent after Combeauvieux. However, this is mentioned in the description.
A magical arrival at the herd of ewes. A superb view, pure joy.
Thank you for the description.

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

A challenging hike in intense heat, but bearable at the summit of the Têtes des Chaudières. After the Serre du Play hut, don't hesitate to head right, following the cairns to avoid the steep climb and reach the ridge line, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the eastern balcony of the Vercors.

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Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb up the rocks is tough, but the view from the top and the cool air are worth it when it's scorching hot down below. The only downside is that point 9 is marked as a private road with no entry once you're in the woods. We had to finish the walk on the road in the blazing sun.

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Date of your route : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with crampons and snowshoes. An interesting loop route; I was only familiar with this area from a return trip via the Pas de la Balme. The passage between points 4 and 5 was done with GPS to stay on course. The elevation gain on this section is significant (perhaps 300 metres over 1 km) and quite technical on snow. I would not recommend it for inexperienced hikers.
GPS is very useful.
One of my favourite views in the Vercors!
Thank you for this route.

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I think so, maybe with crampons. You can confirm that for me.

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Hello, do you think it's OK to go on this hike tomorrow with crampons/snowshoes? Thanks in advance!

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Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 29 October 2024
Very beautiful hike with 360-degree views and a dozen ibexes
After the Serre du Play hut, it was difficult to find the right path, so we navigated by sight through the sharp limestone pavements.
Quite a physically demanding hike

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The trail is indeed unmarked and difficult, but all of this is indicated in the description

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Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is quite physically demanding and the trail is not well marked, but the view is worth the effort.

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Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The last 200 metres are difficult on sharp limestone pavement, but otherwise there are no particular difficulties. Superb view!

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Loop created by combining two circuits
Beautiful hike

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Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is not moderately difficult but challenging in parts due to the lack of signposts (cairns) and the nature of the terrain in the second part of the climb after the Serre du Play hut (large scree and lapiaz, then no path before reaching the ridge).
it passes the summit of the Rochers de la Balme (2,063 m) and then joins the Tête des Chaudières. This is followed by a long descent to the Pas de la Balme and, after a short climb, a fairly difficult descent to the Clos de la Balme.
Shortly before the Clos de la Balme, turn left into the forest onto a good, shaded path, then take a track to reach the last bend in the road leading to the golf course car park.
Only undertake in good weather.
This hike is not very popular until you reach the Rochers de la Balme, then follow the yellow and green PR signs from the Tête des Chaudières. (very busy)
The views are quite exceptional, over the southern edge of the Vercors, Mt Aiguille Grand and Petit Veymont in the distance, and to the north over the Grande Moucherolle and the 2 Soeurs and the valleys of Corrençon-Villard and Autrans-Méaudre, a real geography lesson.

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