Pic Saint-Michel via the Vertige des Cimes

A very classic route that takes you to four remarkable viewpoints in succession, offering views of Grenoble and its valley, as well as the Vercors plateau, the Rocher de l’Ours and the Roc Cornafion. It’s a hike you should do at least once if you’re in the area.
Ideally, you should take two cars up and leave one at the finish, which is at the Parking des Barnets, two hairpin bends below the start point at the Lans-en-Vercors resort.

Details

n°10951750

Creation:
25 Jun 2021

Last update:
22 Nov 2021

Last review:
08 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.60 km
Average duration: 4h 50
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 643 m
Descent: - 754 m
Highest point: 1,931 m
Lowest point: 1,269 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vercors, Dauphiné
District: Lans-en-Vercors (38250)
Start: N 45.116616° / E 5.610238°
End: N 45.107419° / E 5.603862°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3235OT
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Description of the walk

Park in the^first car park at the Lans-en-Vercors resort (Téléski de la Sierre).

(S) Walk to the end of the car park, passing in front of the Téléski de la Sierre at the foot of the Lans-en-Vercors slopes. Take the path climbing up to the left towards the Pas de la Tinette, passing successively under two ski lifts, Les Virets and then the Combe des Virets. After a steady climb up the ski slopes, reach the Les Virets crossroads. Here you will find a magnificent signpost indicating the direction of the Vertige des Cimes.

(1) Turn right and continue to follow the signs for the Vertige des Cimes viewpoint. Reach the Combe des Virets ski lift and turn left to reach the Vertige des Cimes viewing platform.

(2) Return to the orientation table and take the secured path on the left to follow the ridge of the Grand Cheval. Begin the descent to reach the junction above Combe Oursière at the lowest point.

(3) Turn left and begin the ascent here. Continue up a slope that is sometimes steep to reach, amidst the rocks, the summit of Pic Saint-Michel.

(4) Continue straight ahead to reach a point a few metres from the ridge. Continue the descent to reach the Col de l'Arc.

(5) Turn right onto the Chemin des Anciens, continue the descent to enter the forest just before the Font-Froide crossroads.

(6) Follow the^GRP® des Quatre Montagnes for a few dozen metres until you quickly reach the junction with a cross-country ski trail.

(7) Turn right onto it and continue until you reach a junction just before the Auberge des Allières, which is clearly visible below.

(8) Take the wide track on the left, pass in front of the inn and continue on to easily reach the Barnets crossroads (E).

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 1,389 m - Station car park
1 : km 1.37 - alt. 1,592 m - Les Virets crossroads
2 : km 2.49 - alt. 1,699 m - Vertige des Cimes Viewpoint
3 : km 5.06 - alt. 1,735 m - Combe Oursière junction
4 : km 6.01 - alt. 1,923 m - Pic Saint Michel
5 : km 7.04 - alt. 1,734 m - Col de l'Arc
6 : km 8.02 - alt. 1,507 m - Font Froide crossroads
7 : km 8.38 - alt. 1,481 m - Baume des Allières
8 : km 9.17 - alt. 1,442 m - Refuge des Alliéres
E : km 10.6 - alt. 1,269 m - Barnets car park

Notes

There are no water sources along the route, so please plan accordingly; the only one is at Font-Froide (6) on the return journey.
There is little shade (except towards the end as you enter the Font-Froide forest), so it is best to set off early in the morning, remembering to bring a hat and sun cream.
This route is suitable in any season, though you’ll rarely be alone.
In winter, snowshoes are required and you’ll also be sharing the trail with ski tourers.

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

Worth a visit

(1) Here you enter the realm of the Black Grouse, bordered by fir trees.
(2) Vertige des Cimes: several tables and even a BBQ await you so you can fully enjoy the view on offer.
(5) Col de l'Arc: look out towards the Crête des Crocs and the Rocher de l'Ours.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Shizenart

08 Sep 2025 at 19:55 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting hike with several panoramic views of the Chartreuse, Grenoble, Mont Blanc, La Meije, etc.
Lots of people out enjoying this beautiful sunny day

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Patlemarin

11 Aug 2025 at 08:59 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike offering panoramic views of the Alps from the summit. Quite crowded, with many "tourists in trainers" who don't complete the entire loop.

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M4rg

22 Jul 2025 at 16:14 7200

Hello, does this route pass through an area where dogs are not allowed during the summer?

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Jmi26

24 Aug 2023 at 13:45 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent circular walk we did (returning to the starting point)
At the start, follow the route description rather than the ‘Vertige des Cimes’ signs, and take the correct ascending track. A small yellow-green marked path can take you the shortest way to the ridge, but we followed the track, taking a left fork before a descent to arrive directly at the viewpoint.
The fork leading up to the peak is marked by a cairn, and the path is signposted all the way until it joins yellow-green markings for the final, fairly strenuous climb. The view is (also) breathtaking: Mont Blanc, La Meije, Mont Aiguille and other peaks, not to mention the view over Villar
We hesitated a little on the descent near Font-Froide, where we headed towards Les Allières to arrive directly at the inn. From there, we followed the wide track back to the car park where we’d started.

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jprouquette@free.fr

12 Sep 2022 at 12:40 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with stunning panoramic views. A thrilling sensation at the summit
It’s true that the return leg to the car park where we started isn’t particularly interesting, but there’s no choice when you only have one car

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Piteur38

27 Nov 2021 at 10:56 3600

Hello and thank you for your comment.
That is indeed a possibility, especially if there is only one vehicle .
I suggested this alternative because I find that final section too monotonous and rather uninteresting, though that’s just my personal opinion, of course...
All the best

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papinou38

27 Nov 2021 at 10:23 3600

To avoid having to leave your car at the Barnets car park, as you descend from Pic St Michel towards the Col de l'Arc, you can take a path on the right at a small pass which leads down to the Combe Oursière, bringing you back to the resort and the car park where you started.

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se.vaysse@orange.fr

26 Nov 2021 at 11:05 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Unable to download the GPX file

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