Le Moucherotte starting from Saint-Nizier

Here is another route for climbing the Moucherotte, a little more challenging than the one starting from Lans-en-Vercors. The elevation gain is slightly greater and the route follows a mountain path that requires sturdy footwear. The 360° panorama is as stunning as ever, and the bird’s-eye view over the Grenoble basin is just as impressive.

Details

n°130600
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.97 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,349 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,349 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,171 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,812 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

My starting point is at the car park on Route des JO 68.
The route follows theGR®®91trail and is therefore clearly marked in red and white.

(S/E) Head north and, at the end of the street, turn right to quickly reach the Chemin du Belvédère.

(1) At the viewpoint, follow theGR®®91to the right, heading due south as it climbs towards the Moucherotte,

(2) Continue on and, shortly after the barrier, you’ll reach a crossroads of paths.

(3) Take the path to the left along an easy stretch, then begin a steeper climb. You’ll reach a wider track – this is the old ski run. At a bend, you’ll come to a junction with a path leading to Les Trois Pucelles.

(4) Keep to the right on the old ski run. After a steady climb, pass the hamlet of La Cheminée to reach a flat area at a junction of paths.

(5) Turn right onto the path and continue following the GR®® signposting. After a long, easy traverse and passing a spring, turn right in an almost 180° turn to reach a restored and open mountain hut.

(6) Then begin the final ascent to reach the summit of Moucherotte.

(7) Follow the same route back in the opposite direction to return to the car park you chose at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,822 ft - Car park on Route des JO 68
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 3,835 ft - Viewpoint
  3. 2 : mi 0.7 - alt. 4,035 ft - Tremplin car park
  4. 3 : mi 0.96 - alt. 4,173 ft - GR
  5. 4 : mi 1.37 - alt. 4,724 ft - 3 Pucelles crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 1.86 - alt. 5,318 ft - GR
  7. 6 : mi 2.78 - alt. 5,988 ft - Mountain hut
  8. 7 : mi 2.97 - alt. 6,171 ft - Moucherotte (le)
  9. S/E : mi 5.97 - alt. 3,822 ft - Car park on Route des JO 68

Notes

⚠️ 13/10/2026: Change to the starting point.

  • Parking permitted for a maximum of 3 days.
  • Between (5) and (6): A small spring on the way up.
    (6) Mountain hut just below the summit (open to all, unstaffed).

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

(7) Note that a hotel was built in 1959 just below the summit; it was accessible by cable car.
A film starring Brigitte Bardot was shot in this hotel (‘La bride sur le cou’, 1961). It was abandoned in 1974 and subsequently demolished in 2001. The site has been restored to its original state.
A plaque on the front of the refuge briefly recounts the history of this hotel.
Make the most of the remarkable view from this summit over the Isère and Drac valleys.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Brirandoru
Brirandoru

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views! The only downside: the stony paths, which require caution (they’re very, very dry this year); walking sticks are very useful.

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Lespat
Lespat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk after the snow had fallen; the scenery was breathtaking.
We went hiking on a Monday, so there were very few people around.

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gilberteliane
gilberteliane

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route with a 360° view. Acceptable elevation gain, a big effort at the beginning but then the climb becomes easier for those who are used to walking

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BRUNO48
BRUNO48

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Varied circuit and beautiful view from the summit

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Snowshoe hike. Departure from the car park at the top of Templin/Adventure Park. The climb up the valley is a bonus, as it avoids the crowds on the trail early in the morning when it's -7°C. Magnificent view. Return with a detour at point 4 to pass east of La Cheminée. Best done on a weekday when the weather is good...

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vincentcoquard
vincentcoquard

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

This walk is best done in good weather as the steep sections are easily slippery. Beautiful 360° view of the surrounding mountains and the ever-present pollution.

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Chamois38
Chamois38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An alternative to the classic climbs to reach Moucherotte. An ideal trail in summer as it winds through the cool forest. The Pas de la Bergère is easily crossed using your hands, but is not vertiginous
, leading to the plateau that provides access to the summit. The descent via the GR is recommended to form a loop and avoid slipping on the roots . A very beautiful loop that is not very busy on the way up.

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IsoRando
IsoRando

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike! Lots of people, but that's to be expected for a hike like this. Be careful on the descent, which can be hard on the knees, but the effort is worth it for the view at the top!

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

As for the car park at the start, I would advise against using the car park at the foot of the ski jump, which is not very practical. It is better to park at the top of the ski jump in the car park just after the orientation table, which saves you about a hundred metres of uphill walking and ultimately offers enough parking spaces.

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eric.gascard
eric.gascard

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

very slippery hiking trail! Avoid if it has rained in the previous days. Hike through woods where slippery roots and stones cause hikers to fall

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BD
BD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We followed this route to reach the summit of Moucherotte only (descending via the Moucherotte route through Saint Nizier). We parked the car next to the adventure park and quickly joined the route. A beautiful hike with magnificent views from the summit.

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CLOCLO 01
CLOCLO 01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a challenging hike with a significant elevation gain over a short distance for me, but a superb view at the summit. It's a shame the weather was grey

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URVOYP07
URVOYP07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A bit crowded for me, as I only ever come across a few hikers in Ardèche.
I realised afterwards that there were other ways to get back down to St Nizier. So this round trip could be greatly improved.

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stilla
stilla

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant, with lovely views.
The descent via the Pas de la Bergère is very pretty at first but is long and prone to falls!

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efiat
efiat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Unfavourable weather conditions, therefore limited views for this lovely half-day walk

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