The Col du Coq from Sappey-en-Chartreuse via the Bec Charvet

The route starts at the car park of the Sappey-en-Chartreuse cross-country skiing centre.

(S/E) At the top of the car park, take the road on the right, then, at the Croix du Rocher junction, turn left towards Les Combes and continue along the main path (yellow markings).

(1) After a steep climb, the marked path turns left at a right angle. Leave this path and continue straight ahead. 20 metres further on, cross the Vence at the ford and take the steep path directly in front of you.

(2) Cut across a path at the 1,354-metre mark and continue straight on. On the mountain pasture, follow the path towards the buildings, then veer right to climb south-east to the top of the Émeindras de dessus mountain pasture.

(3) Head north-east towards the Col de la Faïta, following the path downhill.

(4) At the pass, continue along the path, which keeps climbing as it follows the ridge (remnants of yellow paint marks), to the summit of the Bec Charvet.

(5) At the summit, head as far east as possible across the treeless area to find the path on the left which descends due north. The path is clearly visible even though it does not appear on maps (a few yellow markings again).

(6) A cairn marks the start of the old ski run. Descend due north through the mountain pasture to reach the Habert du Col du Coq. Continue up the tarmac road to the right until you reach the Col du Coq.

(7) At the pass, turn back and follow the tarmac road to the^first forest track on the right (1,403 m).
At the fork, turn left.

(8) Take the forest track, turn left and follow it all the way to the end.

(9) When you reach the T-junction at the end, take the path on the right that leads downhill (the left-hand path leads back to the Émeindras mountain pasture). At the next junction, turn left to climb back up towards the Col de l’Émeindras.

(10) At the Col de l’Émeindras, take the path opposite up the slope to reach the lower Émeindras mountain pasture. In the pasture, take the path that descends down the centre, heading south, and continue straight on until you reach the Sappey meadows.

(11) The path turns right and begins its tarmac section. Do not follow it, but turn left onto a sunken track. Walk through the hamlet of Jaillères to the fountain and take another sunken track on the left just past it. This leads onto a village street (in the area known as La Charmette). Turn left to reach the car park (S/E).

Sources:
- Near the car park at Habert du Col du Coq
- Émeindras de Dessous

At Bec Charvet, a 360° viewpoint over the Chartreuse and Belledonne ranges.
For the return journey from the Col du Coq, I opted for the tarmac road to enjoy the mountain pasture at the pass and its flock of sheep.
Then, the forest track starting from the ‘8 ’ offers lovely views of the northern and north-eastern parts of Chamechaude, rather than taking the classic^GR®9route which runs through the forest.