Le Gros Martel

Walk through the woods of Méaudre along the cross-country ski trails of the Peatland stadium.

Details

n°13151

Creation:
15 Oct 2012

Last update:
05 Oct 2016

Last review:
25 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.16 km
Average duration: 2h 10
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 228 m
Descent: - 228 m
Highest point: 1,527 m
Lowest point: 1,299 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vercors, Dauphiné
District: Méaudre (38112)
Start/End: N 45.104057° / E 5.51516°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3235OT
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Description of the walk

In Méaudre, take the road to the Peatland snow stadium and park in the large car park (S/E).
Take the Gros Martel trail (signposted) to the south-west.

(1). Enter the woods and meander gently until you reach a crossroads at a place called Bois des Peatlands.

(2) Turn left heading south onto the path that quickly leads to Gros Martel.

(3). Descend via the same path to return to the previous crossroads.

(2) Turn left heading north onto the forest track, which is used for cross-country skiing in winter. You will arrive at a place called Champ des Narces.

(4) Turn right and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,299 m - Peatland car park
1 : km 0.16 - alt. 1,310 m - Crossroads on the left Gros Martel sign
2 : km 2.06 - alt. 1,475 m - Bois des Peatlands crossroads
3 : km 2.53 - alt. 1,527 m - Summit of Gros Martel
4 : km 4.21 - alt. 1,388 m - Champ des Peatlands crossroads
S/E : km 5.16 - alt. 1,299 m - Peatland car park

Notes

In winter, the chalet at the car park serves as a bar and restaurant.

Worth a visit

An interesting walk in the coniferous woods of the commune of Méaudre. This commune on the Vercors plateau has, in addition to cross-country ski trails, a few downhill ski slopes where schools from Grenoble come in large numbers in winter to teach their pupils to ski.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5

Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5

Route interest
3.9 / 5

VakoA

25 Aug 2025 at 20:04 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After a somewhat chaotic start because we couldn't find the way straight away, it's a very pleasant walk, but be careful when climbing up to the Gros Martel, as it's quite steep. It's not a must-see, but the 360-degree view is worth it.

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Claude R3.

16 Jun 2025 at 11:24 7200

This hike is also suitable in good weather as it takes place mostly under trees, so there is plenty of shade.

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3enoit

16 Jun 2025 at 10:17 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The Big Martel, a family route or a warm-up... A fallback hike when the weather is unstable.

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louis.oddou

01 Jan 2024 at 12:59 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent view

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Jean-marc1

14 Aug 2023 at 09:27 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A route suitable for a family outing, with no difficulty whatsoever. Upon arrival at Gros Martel, a lovely view.

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Claude R3.

08 Aug 2022 at 11:44 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

To extend the route a little, it is worth adding a small circular loop passing through the Crêt crossroads.
On the other hand, doing the route in the opposite direction to the description allows you to concentrate the climb to the summit, have a bite to eat at the top and then just descend during digestion without having to climb back up.

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Paderic

16 Dec 2021 at 16:50 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Snowshoe hike in the morning with beautiful sunshine and fresh snow.
We did the circular in the opposite direction on the advice of the ski patrollers at the Peatland refuge.
They weren't thrilled to see us taking the groomed trails reserved for cross-country skiers. So we avoided them as much as possible, mostly using the safe summer trails with the help of a map and GPS.
We were expecting a clearer view at Gros Martel...
There were some pretty, snow-covered passages in the woods, but no exceptional panoramic views.

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Gruau_43

12 Jan 2020 at 19:13 3600 • Edited: 12 Jan 2020 at 19:13 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The highlight is a quick stroll and a pretty green spot after the last big climb, with some lovely insects. But I was disappointed by the finish because there is no viewpoint, and most of the hike is on wide tracks.

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LNM63

30 Jul 2018 at 14:25 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very beautiful hike, but be careful! It's not as easy as it looks! There's a very steep hill at the end of the hike to Gros Martel!
Make sure you have good footwear and keep an eye on the children (risk of falling).
When you arrive, stop off at the refuge to recover... A warm welcome guaranteed!

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MGevasion

21 Aug 2017 at 09:41 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good route, but we couldn't complete it due to a "rave party" problem. Yes, even in nature, you can't find peace and quiet. The climb to Gros Martel is quite steep over 400 metres and was initially obstructed by trees felled by foresters.

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bernardino

10 Aug 2017 at 11:46 7200

Thank you for these answers and especially for this memory that slipped your mind.
It is a great pity that you cannot clarify these points, as they do not correspond at all with previous messages.
So, pending more precise details, this description will remain as it is.
I wish you many enjoyable future hikes from the site, and hope that the descriptions of these will better meet your expectations.
Another point: we insist in our descriptions that you bring a map of the area with you, as this also makes it easier to find your way around if you are unsure.

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kermiel

10 Aug 2017 at 09:07 7200 • Edited: 10 Aug 2017 at 09:13 7200

Unfortunately, I don't remember, but the information provided for this hike is very ambiguous when you're out in the field without any additional help (only the hike information sheet you have with you). Sorry I can't give you a more precise answer.

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bibi

09 Aug 2017 at 23:24 7200

Did you also encounter problems around point 4?
If anyone has any additional information that could be added to the description, it would be helpful for future hikers.
Best regards

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kermiel

09 Aug 2017 at 10:12 7200

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A lovely walk through the forest that started well, but never ended as planned due to a lack of clear explanations: a shame.

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carmencita07

16 Jul 2017 at 14:52 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Crossing beautiful forests.
On the way back, the explanation lacks a little precision from (4) onwards.

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