Le Gros Martel at the start of the peatland

An easy snowshoe route to the summit of Gros Martel in the forest overlooking the pleasant village of Méaudre.

Details

n°20016

Creation:
20 Feb 2013

Last update:
27 Dec 2016

Last review:
09 Feb 2026

Activity: Snowshoeing
Distance: 6.01 km
Duration according to the author: 4 hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 226 m
Descent: - 226 m
Highest point: 1,527 m
Lowest point: 1,301 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vercors, Dauphiné
District: Méaudre (38112)
Start/End: N 45.10427° / E 5.515071°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3235OT
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Description of the walk

Drive to Méaudre, head towards the ski lifts and then take the Route des Peatlands on the left (signposted). Park at the Narces cross-country ski stadium.

(S/E) Cross over and head to the right, following the cross-country ski trail and avoiding the tracks, until you reach a crossroads at an altitude of 1360 metres.

(1) Take the snowshoe tracks opposite.
These tracks wind through the woods in a south-westerly direction and join the peatland crossroads (sign).

(2) Take the snowshoe trail opposite (Le Gros Martel sign). After a steep, straight climb at the start, you will reach a nearly horizontal trail that leads to the Gros Martel cross.

(3) Return to the peatland crossroads via the same route.

(2) Take the track on the right, then after about 300 metres, turn right again. Descend into the forest, join the lower tracks and follow the route snowshoe trail.

(4) Follow them to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,301 m - Peatland car park
1 : km 0.98 - alt. 1,363 m - Crossroads
2 : km 3.11 - alt. 1,475 m - Carrefour of Peatland
3 : km 3.62 - alt. 1,527 m - Gros Martel
4 : km 5.38 - alt. 1,352 m - Snowshoe trail
S/E : km 6.01 - alt. 1,301 m - Peatland car park

Notes

At the car park, the lodge of the peatlands welcomes hikers for a taste of hot drinks during this season. Mulled wine is a welcome treat.

Worth a visit

This hike is also described in summer on foot but via a different route (departing from Méaudre). This summit offers a fascinating insight into this dense forest and, above all, is accessible for a family walk.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5

Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5

Route interest
3.8 / 5

Mireille Mercon

09 Feb 2026 at 17:34 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful route and very well marked

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ROTA CLAUDE

13 Jan 2025 at 16:11 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As for visitor numbers, I was there on a Tuesday outside the holiday season, so I can't say.
I downloaded this route from the Méaudre Autans tourist office website
and points on viso rando.

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Thierryb26

16 Sep 2024 at 18:00 7200

This is a snowshoe hike, so the paths may not necessarily be cleared in summer...

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claudekiko

16 Sep 2024 at 14:02 7200

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Either the trails have been moved since then, or the GPX track provided is completely inaccurate.
The view from the summit is disappointing: no panorama, just a simple cross.

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Dauphinel

03 Sep 2024 at 12:40 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy hike through the forest and some open terrain.
At the end, there is a 360° view of the surrounding area.

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Michon

02 Sep 2024 at 19:26 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

An interesting start to the walk through the undergrowth... then a beautiful stone sheepfold...
The view from Gros Martel is completely blocked by trees
Only the cross remains beautiful

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Dauphinel

01 Mar 2024 at 16:28 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A very pleasant walk with a beautiful view at the end!
Enjoy a tasty snack on your return to the peatland refuge.

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Ange Heureux

16 Jan 2024 at 06:26 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike clockwise, contrary to the description, for a gentler climb and a more direct descent, even if at the start we missed the path furthest to the left and climbed more directly towards the forest road.
Don't forget to take a break at the pretty and welcoming Cabane Depetro Gervasoni, and once you've climbed the steep slope at the foot of Gros Martel, remember to look north-east... towards Mont Blanc!

Admittedly, most of the walk is between/under the trees, but it's pleasant in good weather.

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craco.35

01 Feb 2021 at 08:39 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting hike, but the route shown on the map is not always accurate. Too often, if you follow it, it is not possible to walk along the route, probably due to a calibration error in the GPS that created the route.

Otherwise, I recommend this hike, which is much better than the one offered on the 'snowshoe' route.
Thanks to the author.

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Madmax6938

05 Jan 2021 at 10:39 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As with any snowshoe trail, the route may vary depending on who makes the first tracks, but in any case, you can find your way with GPS tracking.
Otherwise, it's a pleasant and accessible hike. Consider taking the shuttle bus from Meaudres to peatland if the road is difficult to navigate without special equipment.

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Jm38130

21 Dec 2020 at 12:29 3600

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The start for the circular isn't very clear. So we tackled it clockwise, which is backwards. We were surprised by the hunters, who luckily finished their big game hunt at 11 a.m. Otherwise, the snow was fine but the temperatures were mild, so it melted very quickly. The return trip was very pleasant. The only slight downside was that there wasn't much of a view at La Croix, which was a shame. The time given in the guidebook is exaggerated; this circular can be done in two and a half hours at a really leisurely pace.

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RandoJPCMA38

14 Oct 2019 at 10:39 7200

Hello,
Hike not completed due to hunting in progress.
Kind regards

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mamiFFF

26 Aug 2019 at 19:50 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A peaceful but monotonous hike... luckily there were raspberries waiting for us!
A bit of a confusing passage on the way back down to Combe de Furon...
Must be more interesting in winter...

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TRINITA

17 Aug 2019 at 20:29 7200

Overall rating : 1.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Completed this morning, 17/08/19. Got up at 5 a.m., arrived at the refuge at 7 a.m., set off on the snowshoe trail, snowy, two routes to choose from, I took the steeper one; arrived at the forest path with no indication of "right or left" 4 hours indicated by the author of this hike? Result: 1 hour 30 minutes round trip, no view at Gros Martel, hike not recommended, no interest! :zzz(zzz)zzz:

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LUCIE26

02 Jul 2018 at 15:10 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

We did this hike after the "Pas de la Clé and Bec de l'Orient" hike because we were spending the night at the Lodge des Peatlands.
We were a little disappointed by the view at the end, but that was to be expected after the magnificent views from the first hike!
I think it must be more beautiful on snowshoes... to be seen.
Lucie

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