Le Colleret

This intermediate peak in the Chartreuse is relatively unknown and therefore rarely visited, except by wildlife. The ascent takes place through woodland, and you must reach the cliff-top summit to enjoy a beautiful view of the Chartreuse peaks. The hike is suitable in all seasons, including on snowshoes in winter.

Details

30902978
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 695 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 695 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,622 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 927 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont (Isère), head up towards the Col du Cucheron via the D512. Pass through Les Vassaux then Les Cloîtres: park after the village; there are a few spaces available on the right-hand side of the road.

(S/E) Retrace your steps to enter the hamlet of Les Cloîtres, cross through it, then head straight up the slope along a path leading to a water reservoir.

(1) Turn left towards a mobile phone mast, then head north on level ground, following a track through the meadow (with gaps in the electric fence) and then a path through a hedge to Les Granges des Brots.

(2) Continue along the level path northwards to a fork. Head up to the right along a forest track which leads to another fork at an altitude of 1027 on the IGN map. There, a recent forest road makes a hairpin bend. Cut across this bend and immediately turn right onto the forest track which climbs steeply north-eastwards to a bend at an altitude of 1202 metres.

(3) Turn right and, a little further up, take the narrower forest track that climbs straight up the slope. After a steep climb, the terrain levels out as you reach the Feytolet ridge.

(4) Turn right to follow the path along the broad, gentle ridge due south, first through the forest, then across a mountain pasture to reach the clearly visible ridge opposite.

(5) Walk over the various humps at the top of the cliff to enjoy the views, then follow the south-western cliff down towards the Grande Labia to reach the hunter’s hut at the edge of the forest.

(6) Immediately after this, turn right into the forest to join the path leading up to the foot of the mountain pasture at the same level. Follow the path along the Feytolet ridge in the opposite direction.

(4) Turn left onto the steep path, with a few alternative routes halfway up (see track) to an altitude of 1202.

(3) Turn left to descend to the wide, recently built forest road, cut across its bend and immediately head down the path opposite leading to Granges Terrefort.

(7) Head south along the 4x4 track to Les Granges des Brots.

(2) Do not go downhill but continue along the level path through the hedge and then across the meadow, to the edge of the water tower.

(1) Head downhill, cross the village and head for the car park on the CD road above the hamlet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 927 m - Les Cloîtres
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 964 m - Les Cloîtres Reservoir
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 987 m - Granges des Brots
  4. 3 : km 2.17 - alt. 1,205 m - Forest junction at altitude 1202
  5. 4 : km 2.9 - alt. 1,452 m - Feytolet Ridge
  6. 5 : km 3.78 - alt. 1,617 m - Summit of - Collerette (1626m)
  7. 6 : km 4.06 - alt. 1,562 m - Hunters’ hut
  8. 7 : km 6.23 - alt. 1,035 m - Granges Terrefort
  9. S/E : km 7.83 - alt. 927 m - Les Cloîtres

Notes

Only the flat section between Les Cloîtres and Les Granges Terrefort is marked with yellow signposts. The rest is unmarked.
This is not a trail, but a series of forestry tracks, of which there are many in this forest: follow the route on the map carefully to avoid getting lost.

Some steep sections, but no technical difficulties; the route can be completed on snowshoes in winter.

Worth a visit

The view from the top of the cliff takes in the whole of the Chartreuse interior: Fontanieu and the Forêt Fendue in the foreground, Mallissard, Dent de Crolles, Scia, Chamechaude, Pinea, Charmant Som, Grand Som and Dent de l'Ours, Roche Veyrand, Cochette, Outheran, Joigny, Granier, Pinet, Croix de l'Alpe, Grand Manti.

Abundant wildlife (and therefore hunters too), if the tracks in winter are anything to go by.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
geai47
geai47

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A lovely, little-known ridge, as there are no marked paths on the IGN map. You simply follow the tracks (which are clearly visible, however) created for logging operations, and at the end of the route, the tracks of a quad bike leading to the gamekeepers’ lodge.
Do not attempt this route when the ground is wet, as there are steep sections where the rock outcrops; however, this is the only way to reach this steep ridge on the other side.
There are a great many butterflies of various species, which is becoming rare these days.

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willow38
willow38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike took about three hours at a leisurely pace, but it’s true that it really should have been classified as difficult due to the steepness of the paths, as there are some seriously steep sections.

Once you reach the ridge, which you’ll need to follow, you may spot eagles (I saw a pair flying over the ridge) as well as vultures.

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Didier L4.
Didier L4.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A hike with a steep climb along very stony paths. The pass is not maintained; the grass is very tall, making it difficult to find the path.

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jl détraz
jl détraz

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk is described as moderately difficult, but as it climbs steeply in a short space of time, some people may find it challenging. On the way down, we met people who had found it difficult.
Problem: we had to turn back after fifteen minutes because we were crossing a field with sheep, and the very aggressive sheepdog wouldn’t let us through. So we set off from the hamlet further down (Les Vassaux).

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renéetrichon
renéetrichon

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike featuring very steep climbs throughout the route. Furthermore, there are many forest tracks at every junction, so you’ll need to use a map app to find the right path where the signposts end
Best done in good weather, with a 180-degree view from the summit

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As mentioned, after a pleasant start, there is a steep and sustained climb along forest tracks. The GPS track may be useful. We stopped at point 4 because of the snow. There were then snowshoe tracks. A slippery descent; walking poles were a welcome aid. A wild and uncrowded area. The route was ‘good’ value for money as we were in the clouds and didn’t get to enjoy the views

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