Mont Grelle

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a magnificent route! Everything is beautiful – the views, the forest, the peace and quiet, and the birds… except for the section with the pylons. It’s very physically demanding; it’s tough between 5 and 7. There are quite a few fallen trees on the route in winter, but you can get past them. I would definitely advise against doing the return leg in wet weather; before and after the Col St Michel, the path is often narrow, steep and rocky.
On the other hand, thanks to the Visorando distance alerts! Very few markings (GR), or they’re not obvious; there are several choices at times – I’d have got lost there without a GPS! If only you could see my track (18 km including route errors)! I even took a nasty tumble trying to cut through the undergrowth because I just couldn’t go on any longer… luckily, just a few scrapes, but it was a close call. But it’s not Viso who does the signposting.
However, the route is wrong after 6; don’t follow the GPS but the directions in the ‘description’! You’ll find it again between 6 and 7.
All in all, I loved it – a good workout – and I’ll definitely do it again now that I’ve seen the route.

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Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The first part of the hike is very pleasant up to point 8. The views are magnificent.
Be careful between markers 4 and 5, as the GPS route is not ideal. You need to look carefully and not rely on the track.
After marker 8, the descent becomes very slippery in places due to humidity. In autumn, make sure you have good shoes and walking sticks.

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Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Everything went well following the route on the phone with the compass and GPS, but for someone who only follows the yellow markings, there are several points of confusion, particularly at the bottom of the descent into the woods where you come to a road and there is no indication whether to turn right or left.
This happened two or three times along the route, but it's not Visorando's fault
I don't know if you can do anything to change this

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Date of your route : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Between 8 and 9 (Le Mont Grèle and Pré de la Drogaz on the Chartreuse PR map) under the power lines,
Following work by RTE (replacement of pylon between June and October 2024), the path has not been restored and is blocked by tree branches. You will need to find your own way. The descent after the Col St Michel sometimes involves large steps on rocky outcrops.

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Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today. Although conditions were not ideal (50 cm of snow at the top), the route was poorly marked at times or not marked at all for long stretches. On two occasions, fallen trees blocked the path.
The information on the website is still very reliable and everything corresponds to the description.
I think it's best to do this in summer

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Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, with few views of the lake but beautiful trails lined with pine trees and moss. In my opinion, it was a very enjoyable trail run. It took less than four hours at a steady pace, but without running.

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note: Work to replace pylons at Mont Grelle will continue until October 2024. This Sunday, access is impossible, as cables are on the ground and security guards with dogs are present at the top and on the track below. We were forced to take a detour via the main track on the south side (in the blazing sun), which leads to Pré Garou (altitude 1166). There is a sign, but it is very small, so we didn't see it
Otherwise, we did the route in the opposite direction to the one indicated, as the steep, potentially slippery and exposed sections are on the way up, which is much easier. And the descent in this direction is very comfortable.

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Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike on 16 June 2024

The distance and elevation gain are as advertised.

Most of the route is through woodland, which is perfect in very hot weather.
On the downside, humidity remains high after heavy rain. As a result, the steep slopes on these rugged trails require good, waterproof footwear with a good grip. You will often be walking on wet paths.

The most magnificent view is from the belvedere, with a view of the lakes of Aiguebelette and Bourget. In fact, the forest hides most of the landscape from view, except in a few places.

The navigation is not precise enough in terms of the directions to take; more detailed information would have been useful at certain points. A good IGN map is almost essential as there is no mobile phone coverage.
Bring plenty of water or a filter bottle as there are no drinking water points available.

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Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 16/06/2024.

The difficulty level is accurate. If you're looking for peace and quiet, this is the place to be. We only came across 10 people.

It can be quite difficult to follow the route at times as there is little mobile phone coverage. Follow the markings carefully (yellow on the way up, red at the Col St Michel and the trail markings) and, above all, be aware that some people have placed branches across the path to help you find your way (thank you to them).
The hike itself is mostly in the woods. There are only a few incredible viewpoints (don't forget the belvedere, it would be a shame to miss it, and take a short detour to the 3 pylons).

Be careful just after the 3 pylons, where forestry work has made the path to the Col St Michel passable only in places where you will need to put down your walking sticks, climb down, carry dogs and children, etc.

Do not attempt this hike the day after rain or if there have been storms during the previous week, as it is very slippery. The descent is steep and there are still many trees in the middle of the path.
Bring plenty of water as there are no water sources.

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

A beautiful hike through the forest with two magnificent viewpoints over Lake Aiguebelette. There were just a few moments of hesitation when passing under the high-voltage power lines due to recent tree and shrub clearing work carried out by EDF beneath the lines. Completed in 6 hours

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Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A challenging hike, both uphill and downhill.
I didn't enjoy the descents, which I found too dangerous for my liking.

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and easy hike, ideal for hot weather thanks to the shade provided by the forest along the entire route.
The elevation gain is 1,219 metres according to my GPS, which is far from the 1,421 metres advertised.
Please note: at the summit, the path is blocked by EDF due to the installation or replacement of a 400,000 V pylon. You can bypass this by taking the forest road, which adds 4 km to the hike.

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Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

i often start from the Allemands car park. It's 22 km there and back, which is quite strenuous in places, but if you start early, it's doable. My only regret is that when you get to the electricity pylons, they've cut down lots of trees, which spoils the view (a shame).
However, once you get to Mont Grêle, it's just magnificent and well worth the detour

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Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This hike offers few views and panoramas as it is entirely in the forest. There is a view shortly before Mont Grêle, and a more attractive panorama can be found near the three pylons, but access is prohibited from June to September 2023 due to support work. A detour is in place.
The climb is not very pleasant as it is mainly on forest paths. The descent is quite nice as it consists of small paths through the woods. We took the opportunity to descend via the François I cave, which is worth seeing.
In short, if you like elevation and distance (about 17 kilometres / 1,100 metres of elevation gain) and aren't too bothered about panoramic views, this hike is for you.

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Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 2 July 2023 (unfortunately) in rainy and foggy weather. The climb to the summit was relatively easy (2 hours 40 minutes).
Be careful when starting the descent, as the route is blocked by roadworks, requiring a 2 km detour. The descent is difficult in wet weather, so bring walking sticks.

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