Le Grand Serre from Saint Honoré

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I recommend a beautiful, easy hike – the only challenge being the elevation gain – to one of the finest panoramic views in the Matheysine region. Indeed, the summit offers a 360° view of all the mountain ranges of southern Isère as well as the Grenoble region.

Details

n°9009589
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.16 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,365 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,365 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,014 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,777 ft
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Photos

Towards the south
The Lakes
Belledonne and the Taillefer
Towards Grenoble

Description of the walk

Park at the Saint-Honoré station, in the car park at the end of the road.

(S/E) Take the track heading down towards the north-east and you will soon reach a crossroads with several directions.

(1) Ignore the paths and tracks branching off to the right and left and stay on the main track until you reach the Croix de Gouret junction.

(2) Cross the Jonche.

(3) Keep to the right on the track heading north. After a few hairpin bends, reach the Col du Parché.

(4) Turn onto a path on the left. Climb up through the mountain pasture and follow the ridge line more or less. Reach the top of the old Cloutons ski lift.

(5) Continue along the ridge to reach the summit of the Grand Serre, marked by a boundary stone and a sign announcing the finish of the vertical kilometre. Enjoy the 360° panorama here.

(6) Begin the descent and return via the same route to reach the Saint-Honoré car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,911 ft - Saint-Honoré car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.28 - alt. 4,777 ft - Crossroads with several directions
  3. 2 : mi 0.57 - alt. 4,892 ft - Jonche (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Drac
  4. 3 : mi 1.55 - alt. 5,518 ft - Croix de Gouret
  5. 4 : mi 3.07 - alt. 6,549 ft - Col du Parché (1998m)
  6. 5 : mi 3.59 - alt. 6,965 ft - Arrival at the old ski lift
  7. 6 : mi 4.06 - alt. 7,014 ft - Le Grand Serre
  8. S/E : mi 8.16 - alt. 4,911 ft - Saint-Honoré car park

Notes

There are no water sources or shelters along the route, which follows a good track up to the Col du Parché, then a path through the mountain pasture.
Take care in foggy conditions, which are common in this area; do not venture beyond the Col du Parché.
Once at the summit, if children are present, keep a close watch on them; the northern slope is very steep and dangerous.

Worth a visit

(S/E) You can make the most of your visit to this former ski resort by taking a quick look at the ruins; a collective of graffiti artists are at work on and inside the abandoned buildings, bringing a touch of cheer to the place. Some buildings have been renovated and are inhabited, some on a permanent basis.
A little further down, on your way back from your hike, in the warmer months, you can enjoy a quick dip in the lakes of Laffrey, provided you like cool water.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
babarr38
babarr38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The snow was soft enough that we didn't need snowshoes or crampons that day. But don't forget your walking sticks. Every day is a new discovery in the mountains, so it's best to be prepared.
Beautiful blue skies but strong gusts of wind, making it difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter or a less windy spot to picnic or take a break... so pay attention to the weather.
Magnificent views in both winter and summer.

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BOLLINI LANTERI Pierrette
BOLLINI LANTERI Pierrette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Planned several years ago, hike scheduled with a group of hikers on 4/11, proposing to climb via Lake Charlet and the Col de l'Ollière and descend via the trail. 805M+ 14 km. This makes for a beautiful route.

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Capucine S
Capucine S
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, normally offering superb 360-degree views.
I had been looking forward to reaching this summit for so long from Grenoble, but unfortunately, the last few hundred metres of the path were enclosed in a sheep pen with no shepherd... impossible to cross without risking the wrath of the dogs left to their own devices. I still wonder why they decided to enclose the path and the summit marker in a pen... Magnificent view of the other mountains, the only thing missing was the Chartreuse...

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mabboux eliane
mabboux eliane

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did it in foggy weather; it’s a shame I couldn’t see the view, just a sea of clouds
The description and route are very well explained

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ecollain
ecollain

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy hike. There are no steep sections (apart from between the Col du Parché and Les Cytières), so you don’t really notice the elevation gain. The main attraction is the view once you reach the summit.

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