Le Grand Rocher via the Crêt du Poulet refuge

An easy hiking version of this climb to the Grand Rocher. Once past the refuge, the route follows the Crêt Luisard ridge, where the view is breathtaking in all directions, and you can even see Mont Blanc from the summit.

Technical sheet

15176635
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 505 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 509 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,923 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,414 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in the car park of the Col du Barioz Cross-Country Ski Centre.

(S/E) Retrace your steps a little and take the track that branches off to the right and climbs gently.

(1) Continue to follow the trail to the next hairpin bend.

(2) Look for the start of a path on the right with hiking signs. Take this path and immediately turn left. The slope becomes a little steeper, but the path cuts across a bend.

(3) Cross the track you left earlier and continue straight ahead on a path that joins it a little higher up. Continue to the Crêt du Poulet refuge.

(4) When you reach the refuge, turn right, heading east. Cross the large meadow and find a good path that heads south and enters the pine trees. Continue on this path, keeping the same direction and ignoring the paths on either side. Pass Crêt Luisard.

(5) Shortly afterwards, leave the marked path and follow a smaller path on the left that runs alongside a peat bog. After a short steep climb, you will reach a ridge where the view opens up. The path joins the marked path higher up at a fork.

(6) Follow it straight ahead to reach the summit of Grand Rocher, clearly visible thanks to its cross. Enjoy the panoramic view.

(7) Turn around and return to the fork you passed on the way up.

(6) Turn left and stay on the marked path until you reach the refuge.

(4) Turn left and follow the same route you took on the way up.

(2) Do not take the track but follow the path opposite, heading south-west towards the Chalet de Pierre Roubet.

(8) Continue straight ahead and below the chalet, follow a good track that bends to the right and heads north. Keep going in this direction and further on, cut across a hairpin bend.

(9) Follow the track to the right and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,419 m - Car park - Foyer de fond du Barioz
  2. 1 : km 1.66 - alt. 1,569 m - Track
  3. 2 : km 2.34 - alt. 1,617 m - Crossroads of the western circular
  4. 3 : km 2.71 - alt. 1,664 m - Traverse the trail
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,697 m - Refuge le Crêt du Poulet
  6. 5 : km 4.63 - alt. 1,767 m - Crêt Luisard
  7. 6 : km 5.73 - alt. 1,831 m - Fork
  8. 7 : km 6.34 - alt. 1,923 m - le Grand Rocher
  9. 8 : km 11.26 - alt. 1,545 m - Chalet de Pierre Roubet
  10. 9 : km 12 - alt. 1,428 m - Track on the right
  11. S/E : km 12.28 - alt. 1,414 m - Car park - Foyer de fond du Barioz

Practical information

Shelter and refreshments at the refuge.

In the nearby area

Stop at the refuge to enjoy a delicious blueberry tart.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
BOUSSARD Daniel
BOUSSARD Daniel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful hike through mountain pastures and forest edges, offering magnificent views throughout the route. After Le Grand Rocher, we pushed on to the top of the Col du Merdaret for an extra hour and a half of walking, but with amazing views of the ridge line! Highly recommended for everyone, with the option of stopping off at the Crêt du Poulet refuge on the way there or back (very friendly welcome). Definitely worth doing again.

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Hibiscussafi
Hibiscussafi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant hike offering access to beautiful landscapes, with the Refuge du Crest du Poulet providing an added bonus.

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lorda
lorda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

very, very good with magnificent panoramic views

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WOLFFBLANC
WOLFFBLANC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike!
I'm so glad to live in Grenoble! I love my mountains!

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Didier L4.
Didier L4.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful, easy hike with superb views of the Chambéry basin, Chartreuse, Bauges, Mont Blanc and Grenoble basin.

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myrtilles
myrtilles

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a magnificent view at the summit. A gentle climb. Thank you for sharing this route.

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Didier L4.
Didier L4.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike accessible to all with breathtaking views

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jacqdess
jacqdess

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike; we walked to the Grand Rocher to discover a fabulous panorama.
We'll be back!
Best regards

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Helody38
Helody38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike on a good path, well marked with a superb view of snow-covered Belledonne
The weather was unstable and prevented us from enjoying the view for longer than the time it took to eat
Did not see Mont Blanc
We did the circular in the opposite direction, climbing through the forest instead of on the trail. This was just as well, as it was sheltered from the sun and less monotonous

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ienien83
ienien83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike accessible to all, magnificent views from the summit, with the option to continue along the ridge past the summit of Grand Rocher.

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pepinet
pepinet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful, easy hike with magnificent views beyond the refuge.

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dahuette
dahuette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk. Warm welcome at the Crêt du Poulet refuge.
At the summit of Grand Rocher, magnificent panorama and view of Lake Bourget.

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