Le Gros Martel from Méaudre

de fr

Circular loop starting from Méaudre in the cool Bois des Enversins forest. The climb is long but easy. The return is the same, except for the arrival via the grassy slopes of the ski resort. At the summit, Gros Martel, there is a beautiful view of the eastern Vercors and Villard-de-Lans.

Details

n°3623619
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 546 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 546 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,528 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,000 m
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Photos

The Gros Martel Cross
Gour Martel
Combe du Furon
View of the Vercors

Description of the walk

Park in Méaudre at the large car park at Les Mateaux.

(S/E) Take the Murailles de la Combe du Furon forest road (D106k).

(1) Leave the forest road at the entrance to the hairpin bend (elevation 1225) and follow a path in the same direction. Reach the Vachat forest road at a bend (elevation 1379).

(2) Cross the forest road and continue along the path opposite. You will reach Gour Martel on the right.

(3) Continue straight ahead to the ridge.

(4) Turn left. Cross a forest road (elevation 1501) and continue straight ahead on a steep path that winds its way to the summit of Gros Martel (elevation 1556).

(5) View of the eastern Vercors. Continue down the ridge.

(6) At the crossroads, take the main path on the right, which winds down several hairpin bends.

(7) Leave this path and take another grassy path on the right (no sign) to reach the start of the cross-country ski trails at the Narces refuge.

(8) Head south down the road (D106m) to the hairpin bend on the right.

(9) Turn left onto the Cray forest road, a wide, gently sloping path.

(10) At the end of this path, take the ski slopes on the right to return to the resort and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,000 m - Car park at Les Mateaux
  2. 1 : km 2.49 - alt. 1,233 m - Hairpin bend, straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 3.73 - alt. 1,387 m - Crossroads between the forest road and Chemin de Furon
  4. 3 : km 4.7 - alt. 1,479 m - Pond - Gour Martel
  5. 4 : km 4.95 - alt. 1,483 m - Bouveyron ridge
  6. 5 : km 5.3 - alt. 1,527 m - Summit - Gros Martel
  7. 6 : km 5.76 - alt. 1,474 m - Crossroads, on the right
  8. 7 : km 7.15 - alt. 1,361 m - Fork in the road, take the path on the right.
  9. 8 : km 7.73 - alt. 1,302 m - Head south on the - Refuge des Narces
  10. 9 : km 8.41 - alt. 1,232 m - Crossroads of forest roads, on the left
  11. 10 : km 10.18 - alt. 1,224 m - Start of ski slopes
  12. S/E : km 11.35 - alt. 1,000 m - Car park at Les Mateaux

Notes

Good walking shoes required. No difficulties. Red and yellow markers.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. Thanks to the cold weather setting in, the view from the Croix du Gros Martel was magnificent: fine, delicate frost on the grass and trees.

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SergeGauthier
SergeGauthier

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The view from the Gros Martel cross is a little disappointing, as there are many trees at the summit.

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Jeepers38
Jeepers38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Most of the route takes place in the forest with few views except for one section with a direct view of Mont Blanc. However, we were able to enjoy the sunshine at Gros Martel.

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Anaïs P.
Anaïs P.

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through the forest and snow that day. Disappointed by the view at Croix du Gros Martel, where you can see the Vercors in the distance through the trees. On the other hand, there is a beautiful view of Méaudres from Les Creys.

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batarando
batarando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb up to Gros Martel is really very steep, but fortunately not very long.

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monique maussire
monique maussire
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful Combe du Furon on the way up... a little muddy after the rain and some erosion... steep climb to Gros Martel but not too difficult... beautiful view at the cross... descent via the recommended trail but major forestry work about 3 km from the village and trail impassable... mud, ruts, tree roots and debris...I lost the trail at the end! There are yellow and green markings for snowshoes that allow you to descend, but it's quite steep...

Who knows where the rest of the trail goes?

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deeper26
deeper26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completed on Sunday, 09/08/22. The route is mostly wooded.
Two difficulties:
- the climb to Gros Martel: challenging but short
- the descent under the chairlifts at the finish
Hike completed in just under 4 hours

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DidierA
DidierA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very interesting hike, perfect description. The caretaker at the Peatland refuge is very friendly, it makes you want to come and spend a few days here in winter.
We also did the route in reverse to avoid the descent along the ski slopes.

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vuagnoux
vuagnoux

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the route in the opposite direction. We climbed up the 4 Mountains Trail, passed the Narces refuge, and then found it again on the way back down. The climb is a bit steep on this side. Beautiful view at Gros Martel. Very steady descent into the valley on the way back. Well-shaded route. Nice.

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