The Grand Som circular loop via the Col des Aures and Col de Mauvernay passes

This extensive circular route will take you to one of the most legendary peaks in Chartreuse. Technical passages, magnificent views of the massif and the Chartreuse monastery, wild trails: it has it all!

Details

1590668
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,187 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,187 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,016 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,016 m

Description of the walk

Park at the start of the forest road near Champ Massot.

(S/E) Walk about a hundred metres along the forest road and, at the bend, take a steep path on the right (north) (Racapé path). Be careful of the numerous tree trunks in the area: the start of the path can be difficult to spot (on the day of our hike, the signpost had been knocked over).

Climb up to the Col des Aures, keeping north. You will reach the pass after a series of hairpin bends.

(1) At the pass, look at the cliff to the west. The trail runs along the foot of the cliff (at a reasonable distance, however) and goes around the obstacle to the south. The passage is not difficult. For safety, we wore helmets. Leave the trail on the left towards Pas de la Suiffière and climb as best you can to the summit of Grand Som, marked with a metal cross.

(2) An orientation table allows you to identify the peaks in the distance. Descend north via the Sentier des Moutons trail.

(3) When you reach Col du Bovinant, turn left and take the gentle descent towards the south-west. A few hundred metres further on, you will reach Habert de Bovinant.

(4) From there, a clear valley opens up to the south. Roughly follow the lowest line of the valley and reach the Col de Mauvernay. Orientation is difficult in foggy weather. If the trail is lost under the snow, it is possible to find it again at the pass.

(5) From the pass, follow the trail that crosses a long scree slope heading south then south-southeast. The trail is very stable and can even be seen under the snow. It ends with a section facing south at the foot of the cliff: a helmet is also recommended. Reach the edge of the forest.

(6) A sign indicates Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse. The steep trail winds through a series of very short switchbacks and regularly runs alongside a wide forest road, finally joining it at an elevation of 1,190 metres.

(7) Take the forest road downhill to return to the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,016 m - Start of the forest road (Champ Massot) - Couzon (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Guier
  2. 1 : km 3.68 - alt. 1,635 m - Col des Aures (1639m)
  3. 2 : km 4.68 - alt. 2,016 m - Summit of - Grand Som (2026m)
  4. 3 : km 6.44 - alt. 1,647 m - Col de Bovinant (1646m)
  5. 4 : km 6.76 - alt. 1,619 m - Habert de Bovinant
  6. 5 : km 7.79 - alt. 1,771 m - Col de Mauvernay (1774m)
  7. 6 : km 9.12 - alt. 1,663 m - Edge of the forest
  8. 7 : km 11.22 - alt. 1,187 m - Elevation 1190 - junction with a forest road
  9. S/E : km 13.32 - alt. 1,016 m - Start of the forest road (Champ Massot)

Notes

Easy parking at the start
A helmet is useful for the section after the Col des Aures and between the Col de Mauvernay and the Pas de la Suiffière.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
castaing.laurent
castaing.laurent

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that allows you to return to the original Grand Som, despite some difficulty finding the trail at the scree slope.

Machine-translated

User 19405830
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were looking for a route with few people.
It was perfect.

Machine-translated

Nicolas Fl
Nicolas Fl
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As explained in the guidebook and comments, the technical section is between points 1 and 2. There are metal cables to increase safety, but you definitely don't want to fall in this vertiginous spot. The rest is fairly easy.

I really enjoyed the section between points 4 and 6, which is not too busy and has a discreet path.

Superb hike, thank you for sharing!

Machine-translated

Thierry Zolt
Thierry Zolt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A demanding hike due to its elevation gain, but pleasantly varied. The forest trails are well marked and wind their way to reduce the elevation gain. The climb up the rocky ridge is fairly easy but vertiginous. The ascent ends in the Grans Som mountain pastures. The route offers magnificent views of the sharp limestone pavement along the Chemin des Moutons. The return via Halbert de Bovinan and the Mauvernay pass is original and little frequented, although the final 200m climb is a bit tough on the legs. I even came across a marmot just before tackling the long scree slope, which is well marked by cairns every 50m. I was delighted with this hike.

Machine-translated

ericlerandonneur26500
ericlerandonneur26500

I wonder, why no more comments since July 2022?

Machine-translated

smashdc
smashdc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A must-see, it's so beautiful 😎 A little foggy at first, but then bright sunshine 🌞
🚀 A wonderful discovery here: https://youtu.be/xSBSNrXpwJQ

  • 13.9 km with 1,232 m elevation gain

Steady climbs through the woods at the start, then a beautiful, long, rocky path with cables :-o
It climbs steeply to the top.
Expect a few nice little climbs after the first descent (when heading towards the cross but from the bottom).
🌍 All my HD and 4K hikes: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeuxVoyagesIns...
🚀 To be continued...

Machine-translated

MarielleN
MarielleN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike and magnificent scenery!
The climb up Racapé is long but gradual, despite the numerous hairpin bends.
A bit of rock climbing, but easy.
Beautiful 360° view from the summit. You can even see the Grande Chartreuse if you lean over a little!
We also really enjoyed the varied landscapes on this hike: forest, mountain pastures, sharp limestone pavement, rocks, combes, scree...
It's particularly pretty around the pass and Habert de Bovinant, and the Mauvernay pass (don't hesitate to turn around from time to time during the climb to admire the scenery!).
There are no particular difficulties on this hike, except for the elevation gain.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.