From Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, take the CD520b up towards Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. Just before La Diat, at the entrance to the Grand Logis gorge, turn right onto the Pont de Valombré and park before the barrier (Porte de l’Enclos), as the Route de Vallombré is closed to general traffic.
(S/E) Take the Route de Valombré, which runs flat towards the west.
(1) Ignore the first path branching off to the left towards the Arête de Bérard and continue along the road until just past a wide left-hand bend as you emerge from the forest.
(2) Head south-west along the forest track that climbs to the left on the right bank of the Ruisseau de Valombré. It re-enters the forest and crosses the historic path several times. Take either of the two paths.
(3) After crossing a stream, at the junction at 1105m, leave the track for good and take the path which climbs steeply, winding southwards, bypassing a few rocky sections in the forest and emerging at the foot of the scree beneath the cliffs of Charmant Som.
(4) The path levels out, turns left and joins the small pass at Le Collet on the Arête de Bérard. Just below Le Collet, it joins the path coming from point 1.
(5) At the small pass, join the path coming from Les Cottaves (Saint-Hugues side –GRP® Tour de Chartreuse), and take it to the right. The path follows the ridge for a short while, then ascends diagonally across the entire south-east face of the Charmant Som, which is made up of beautiful limestone slabs and sharp limestone pavement.
(6) At the end of the slabs, rejoin the paths coming from the sheepfold. Turn right and climb up the grassy slopes to the summit.
(7) Descend northwards along a path that is steep at first. It then veers to the right and runs along the grassy ridge of Chamechine, which, with little change in elevation, leads to the summit of the Combe de l’If above Malamille.
Continue along the left bank of this valley to join the paths leading to the summit of Pré Bâtard.
(8) Head down the Pré Bâtard to the left along the well-marked cattle tracks. At the edge of the forest, the path becomes a stony track, turns westwards and passes near springs where cattle come down to drink. Remember to close the gate properly behind you.
As you approach the Fontaine de l'Oursière, you’ll come to a right-angled junction.
(9) Take the path – the Sentier de la Cochette – to the right for a long, level traverse. As you approach the ridge descending from the right, join the path coming from the Route de la Charmette further down and climb eastwards in tight hairpin bends to the Col de la Cochette.
(10) Descend the winding path on the other side. At the foot of the rocks, the path heads off to the left and then descends through the forest until it joins a forest track.
(11) Follow it straight ahead until you reach the road at Habert de Malamille.
(12) Follow this gently sloping road down to the junction of the circular loop you passed earlier.
(2) Carry straight on, retracing your steps along the route you took on the way out, to return to the car park where you started (S/E).