Le Moucherotte via Saint-Nizier

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

Magnificent panoramic views from the highest point over Grenoble and the Chartreuse Mountains!
And the unmissable Néron: see my full video on the ridges.
You can see Mont Blanc if you're lucky, but overall, it's quite far away.
A beautiful climb through the woods right from the start of the hike, which we did in the opposite direction (on the ski jump side).
With the small curiosity of the ski jump, which has been in disrepair since the 1968 Games.
It does get more complicated at the Pas de l'Echelle.
Whether it's wet or not, it's tough. You'll have to pull yourself up with your arms and find the right handholds to climb.
It's probably easier going downhill because you can "slide down", but only if the ground is dry, otherwise be careful (not recommended if wet).
I find this section quite long, with some slippery climbs just after, especially if the ground is wet.
After discovering the panorama of Moucherotte, there is a beautiful descent of 20% to 25% in places before arriving at the combe, the scree, which is also challenging but the terrain is stable.
To reach the scree slope, you need to turn right at the "carriage road". The markings are barely visible on the very large rock at this bend. The path descends before climbing again to reach the scree slope.
Once you have crossed the scree slope with its superb views, there is a fairly rough descent through the undergrowth, especially if it has rained.
There are many muddy sections with descents of 20% to 25%.
Definitely worth doing. A bit of a workout, though.

14.6 km & 1017 m elevation gain/loss
The 1968 Olympic Ski Jump (Grenoble) in poor condition

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Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

it was a great walk in terms of the route and the scenery. We will return for other short walks

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

We only followed the circuit from Le Moucherotte (we climbed up following the Le Moucherotte route from St Nizier, turning off before the end (before the ski jump) to reach our car parked near the adventure course). After the wide path that starts from Le Moucherotte, a pretty trail takes over. Be careful to identify it correctly before taking it, however, as it is not very well marked. The Visiorando app came in very handy at this point! Also worth noting: the Pas de la Bergère (Shepherdess's Pass) lives up to its name: the descent is steep and rocky, requiring sure-footedness, which our teenagers really enjoyed .
It's a beautiful hike for those who enjoy a bit of a challenge.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The circuit is done in reverse, as it is less risky to climb the Pas de la Bergère. It's a bit of a scramble, but nothing too bad as long as the rocks are dry. It's actually quite fun (and I'm prone to vertigo).
There was only one other person on the trail, and for good reason: it started raining during the hike.
The path became a real ice rink! The summit was shrouded in clouds, but I think the view must be amazing on a clear day.
According to the hiker we met, this trail is usually packed with people.

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Date of your route : May 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk, 3-hour climb. First through the forest, with flowers, birds and even chamois. The rest of the route is rockier and very hot in the sun, but easy. Be careful when you leave the main path on the left towards the south, as this path is blocked by a large branch and there is a green and yellow cross, but it is well marked. To be sure you are on the right path, look for a typical hooked tree stump. Please note that there is a 2-metre gap in the cable at the start of the technical section, so bring a strap to help the less experienced.

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Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Departure at 8 a.m
2-3 people on the route
My wife is afraid of heights, but it wasn't the Pas de l'échelle that bothered her (you put your hands down, sit on your bottom and slide down, or you can lower your rucksack with a rope before you go)
What bothered her was the scree section at level 2, but she got through it

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Date of your route : Jul 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route follows the map. The highlight is at the summit, with views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
The return loop is worth it for the scenery on the first part of the trail and the highlight, the Pas de la Bergère chimney, which is more impressive than difficult.

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I know this path, which is quite steep and tricky, but it wasn't part of my route. The descent via Pas de la Bergère isn't dangerous unless it's raining or snowing

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Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I took the red and white GR trail on the descent to the right of Les 3 Pucelles, which joins the ski jump and the car park.
The section where the metal cable is located is dangerous: you must hold on to it.
My son let go and fell down!
It was a big scare, he fell 15 to 20 metres down a very steep slope!
Luckily, he managed to grab hold of a small tree. He got some scrapes on his arms and legs, but it could have been much worse.
I should have been more vigilant, I realise that, but this section is VERY DIFFICULT and, in my opinion, should only be attempted by adults.
However, the trail does offer an alternative loop descent.

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Date of your route : Feb 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Many people complain about a steep and difficult descent in wet weather. I therefore recommend doing this loop "backwards".
An excellent hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. A bit steep at the start for beginners. No worries about the markings.
360° panoramic view at the summit. You get there by walking through the herds. Watch out for the sheepdogs if you're hiking with your dog. We made our way back via the Pas de la Bergère. A little bit of climbing and a very nice gully.
On the way back, you pass by the ski jump. A remnant of the Olympic Games, unfortunately covered in graffiti.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Recommended hike

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Date of your route : Jul 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable

well, the descent is steep, so don't do it when it's raining

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Date of your route : Oct 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike off the beaten track. Although we did it on a Sunday, there were few people outside the classic sections. The Pas des Bergères is quite steep and should be avoided when the ground is wet.

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Date of your route : Jun 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The GPS route suggestion is correct, but the trail leading up to Moucherotte is not accurately marked by the IGN. Everything is corrected when you reach the forest path before the summit, where it matches up.
The description seems a little sketchy, but you can figure it out with a little thought: the yellow and green markings are everywhere, so just follow the rock face.
The appeal of this somewhat physically demanding climb? Passing through a pretty valley where there is no one else around. I saw animal tracks and there are paths everywhere in the Vallon des Forges. The descent via a little-known pass is also interesting.
The descent to the Pas de la Bergère is quite steep for 15 minutes, so you need to put away your walking sticks and use your hands on the rocks. Once you reach the pass, a sign recommends not doing this in winter, and I think that if there is a risk of rain, it is better to refrain as well.
This hike is a bit challenging, but once you've done it, you'll be glad to have this reference in mind.
Thanks to Yves Pouget for describing it. I was a bit hesitant to go there on my own while studying the map, even though I was tempted.

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