Lac de Crop walks

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

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).

A lovely hike in the Belledonne massif, allowing you to appreciate all the mountain levels, from forest to alpine meadows and up to the mineral levels of high altitude. From Pré Marcel, climb to the Refuge Jean Small Pass, then cross the Col de la Mine de Fer. Descend the opposite slope to Lac de Crop, then after a descent into its glacial cirque, reach the car park via a discreet path.There are several ravines and steep passages, some of which are secured by cables, before reaching the Refuge Jean Small Pass (altitude 1,950 m).

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.

This hike in the Belledonne massif is a version of route no. 44130540, entitled "Le Col de la Mine de Fer et le Lac de Crop en boucle, à partir de Pré Marcel" (The Iron Mine Pass and Lake Crop loop, starting from Pré Marcel), which avoids the passage through the Bois de la Croix Blanche, where the abandoned trail, resembling an adventure course, may put some people off. This loop, starting from Pré Marcel, although shorter, covers the mountain levels, passing from forest to alpine meadows and high-altitude mineral levels, not to mention the magnificent Lac de Crop. From Pré Marcel, climb to the Refuge Jean small pass, then cross the Col de la Mine de Fer. Descend the opposite slope to Lac de Crop, then, after descending its glacial barrier, go around Montagne de Barlet to find the uphill trail and return to the Pré Marcel car park.