The Petit Som loop from La Ruchère

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk in the woods, ending with a climb through mountain pastures where you will encounter a few herds.
The route is fairly obvious.
The view and panorama from Petit Som is magnificent.
Be careful on the way down, as there are many stones that tend to roll under your shoes (minor falls without serious consequences) and roots that can be very slippery.
Walk taken the day after rain.

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Date of walk : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk. The return. Back to the starting point. A bit long on tarmac. I think there's a possibility of getting back to the start via other paths

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Date of walk : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

No issues
Compliant

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Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A classic hike, and fairly easy. Few people on the way there, more on the way back.
The descent into the gully on the way back can be daunting and requires caution.

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Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

La Verchère is not signposted when arriving at La Ruchère. It took me a while to find the Nordic centre. So I set off from the Nordic centre on the red-green trail towards the pass. The tracks are clearly visible until you've gone about 3.5 km and passed a sort of pass where I found no signs and where the red and green markers disappeared. I suppose I was at TRACOL at an altitude of 1340 m. At that point, I started to descend the path but without any landmarks. The weather was very foggy, so I decided to turn back and retrace my steps. When I got home, I checked the map again and realised that I was indeed on the right track. It's a shame that there are no signs at Tracol... I will do the circuit in the opposite direction on 19 September 2023, starting from HABERS

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Date of walk : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant short circuit. Steep climb up the forest track, then through the mountain pasture and the corridor above the Col de la Ruchère. The view from the summit is magnificent. Easy descent through a maple forest.

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Date of walk : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Useful mobile app: the trails intersect with forestry roads.
Following the rain in previous days, the paths are muddy, especially with the numerous roots and stones that make walking difficult. The climb to the summit is steep but safe; use your hands if necessary. Lovely viewpoint with lots of flowers. Friendly jackdaws during the picnic...
The route is mostly through the woods.

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Date of walk : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent view from Petit Som. The Col de la Ruchère is a delightful spot for a picnic.
However, in wet weather, neither the ascent nor the descent are recommended.
Furthermore, the direct climb from the Col de la Ruchère to Petit Som via the chimney, avoiding the Pas du Loup, is not recommended if you are afraid of heights.

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Date of walk : Jun 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Large car park at the Nordic station, climb via trail and muddy track after storm. The Pas du Loup is not difficult (however, I would not do the hike in snowshoes...). Mineral environment then beautiful views (including the monastery) from the Petit Som. The descent is through a beautiful forest, the downside being the final 20 minutes on the road. Didn't meet any other hikers that day, the weather was uncertain

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Date of walk : Sep 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike with nice elevation changes and beautiful scenery. The Pas du Loup is quite accessible, no gas, a little steep but you can squeeze between two rocks. No difficulties despite having a splint on my hand.

A nice alternative from JeanMarc42: 80 metres downstream from point (6), turn left and cross the stream. At the car park, climb steeply to the left towards Le Petit Som. The path is 70 metres to the right, marked by a cairn (opposite a large dead fir tree).

The climb is steady, under foliage with no real view, but so much better than the tarmac. Be careful to take the path on the right when the slope changes (large rock with a new sign at the spot).

Circuit completed solo in 3 hours (without running) with a 15-minute break at the summit, good for cardio

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Date of walk : Aug 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

There were four of us in our fifties, and even our friend who suffers from vertigo had no problem crossing the Loup Pass. It's a technical passage but not particularly difficult. A very pleasant route, although quite busy. Beautiful, typical Chartreuse landscapes. Bring a light fleece for the summit, as it's often windy. The return journey by road is inevitably less enjoyable, but you can't have everything

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Date of walk : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It should be noted that the Pas du Loup is difficult. There are no handrails and it is very steep. On the way up (in this direction), those with short legs will find it challenging. Not recommended for those prone to vertigo. Otherwise, the scenery is magnificent!

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Date of walk : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very few people during the ascent and descent, but there are lots of people at the summit arriving from the abbey. Follow the route carefully to pass through the Pas du Loup, which is very nice. The hike is not particularly difficult and the view at the top is well worth it!

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Date of walk : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

An interesting hike, with a narrow section and a slightly steep climb at Pas du Loup, but nothing too dramatic. One small downside: a section of road at the end (and uphill if you follow the direction).
Mostly in the woods, so well shaded for hot days.
It was very busy this Sunday after lockdown, with everyone wanting their share of nature, which is only to be expected!

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