Le Sénépy from Mayres-Savel

Le Sénépy and its exceptional panorama from Mayres-Savel via the ridges.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,090 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,090 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,768 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 678 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave your vehicle in the car park in the village, on the D116 road.

(S/E) The hike starts between the church and the town hall, via the mountain path.

(1) Leave the tarmac road at a place called "Les Chazeaux" (720 m) and take the forest track on the left. Continue on this track until you reach an altitude of 1000 m.

(2) Take the path on your left. When you reach the forest track, cross it and take the stony path opposite.

(3) Follow this path, which is the Sentier de l'Aigle. At the crossroads at around 1320 m, continue straight ahead.

(4) Please note: at around 1,420 m, leave the main track on your left and do not take the marked path opposite, but instead take a barely visible path on your right that leads you to the ridge.
A little higher up, do not be tempted by the path that branches off to your right, but stay on the ridge. You will enter a park through a turnstile; follow the barbed wire fence on your right.

(5) At around 1620m, you will find a drinking trough with a pine tree on its left. From there, you just need to reach the small summit at 1750m on the map and join the Sénépy at 1769m.

(6). To see Lake Monteynard, descend into the meadow on the Vercors side (west). At the summit, two signs provide information about all the peaks visible from this exceptional viewpoint. For the return trip, head east to the reservoir at Col du Sénépy.

(7) Then follow the track south. It is a bit tedious, especially as you have to follow it all the way back to the car. It is possible to cut across the slope without difficulty and reach Serre du Chat Pendu at around 1464m.

(8) Pass in front of a reservoir and follow the track for about 800m to the Serre Combet crossroads (1320m).

(9). There is a signpost indicating the direction of Mayres-Savel. Return to the intersection you passed on the way there.

(2) Then continue along the same route as on the way there until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 678 m - Car park in the village
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 720 m - Leave the tarmac road
  3. 2 : km 1.71 - alt. 1,001 m - Intersection of the circular
  4. 3 : km 2.33 - alt. 1,187 m - Cross the track and head straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 3.4 - alt. 1,426 m - Be careful and keep to the right
  6. 5 : km 4.14 - alt. 1,650 m - Watering hole
  7. 6 : km 5.21 - alt. 1,768 m - Summit - Le Sénépy
  8. 7 : km 7.06 - alt. 1,535 m - Col du Sénépy
  9. 8 : km 7.86 - alt. 1,451 m - Serre du Chat Pendu
  10. 9 : km 8.74 - alt. 1,387 m - Leave the main track
  11. S/E : km 12.5 - alt. 678 m - Car park in the village

Notes

The only difficulty with this hike is that there is no respite between the moment you leave the car and the summit.

Worth a visit

When you look at Lake Monteynard on the left, you can see one of the two Himalayan footbridges, a hike suggested by Bisserain 73.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Constel
Constel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is indeed a challenging hike, with a relentless climb to the summit and strong gusts of wind in April, but the view is well worth the effort and the descent on the east side is much easier. You can start from the Ebron footbridge car park if you want to add 5km and enjoy a very pleasant walk across the Drac footbridge.

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Anibac
Anibac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

I undertook this hike with full knowledge of the facts, having carefully read the description and reviews. The difficulty of the climb was mitigated by the fact that it was described as demanding. With walking poles and a steady pace, it went rather well. Reaching the summit and emerging from the forest was very rewarding and magnificent. The 360-degree view is breathtaking. I arrived at the summit at 11:00 a.m., and the crowds had not yet arrived. From 11:30 a.m. to noon, hikers began to arrive in droves via a much more accessible route.
The descent was similar to the description, with no surprises. It was gentle but looong, which suited me as I was able to enjoy the beautiful sunny day without having to be vigilant, as the path was even.
A beautiful hike, interesting for its ascent and the summit. Thank you very much for the suggestion!

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Carinou
Carinou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well-described itinerary.

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Tim
Tim

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike starting from the Himalayan footbridge. The climb can be demanding, so you need to have strong legs.

You spend a long time under the trees, but the view from the top is exceptional. I was lucky enough to see the peaks of Vercors, Ecrins and Chartreuse above a sea of clouds...

Serenity, freedom and contemplation await you at the summit.
If you're visiting the region, this is an absolute must.

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M Grisel
M Grisel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful climb through the forest for most of the way, searching for orchids. After a slightly steep start, the route gradually levels out until you reach the plateau, where you'll find an alpine meadow in full bloom. 360° view. The return journey is quite different. A light breeze at the summit. A very pleasant route, even in hot weather. I highly recommend it.

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GFrando38
GFrando38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike we do every year with great pleasure, especially before the lockdown
The southern ascent is easy and not very busy
The view from the summit is always spectacular
The north-east descent was wetter, with a few snowfields that were still easy to cross. Lots of people were climbing up this side

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cricri58
cricri58

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Actually, I left Cléau just before and joined the route at point 3. The climb took 3 hours, including breaks. It was a beautiful day with lots of flowers and stunning views

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38Odile
38Odile

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with superb views from the summit, particularly of Lake Monteynard, if you stray from the summit as indicated.
Quite steep going up, from start to finish, but the path allows you to take steady steps and it's easy going.
Thank you for this lovely hiking suggestion.

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Alain Chion
Alain Chion

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Allow 3 hours for the steep climb from start to finish. Beautiful view of the Vercors and Lake Monteynard when you move about a hundred metres away from the summit on the west side. Orientation table at the summit offering a 360° view. Well-marked path. Thank you

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didounebe
didounebe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb hike ruined by an excessively cold north wind in May. Perhaps worth repeating in the middle of winter so that you can read the signs on the summits in peace! Many thanks.

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ViovioP
ViovioP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We took a slightly different route, starting from the hamlet of Cléaux, a few kilometres after Mayres-Savel. The view as we reached the ridge was already breathtaking, and it became even more stunning as we reached the summit. Indeed, there was no respite until we reached the top, with one steep climb after another.
A memorable experience!

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, nonolerobot, for this feedback and especially for your intervention with the Town Hall

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nonolerobot
nonolerobot

I did this hike again on 17 May, and I would like to add a few details.
Point No. 2 is indeed at an elevation of 1,000 metres.
During my first hike, I pointed out that the fork in the trail was not clearly visible.
That day, I met someone from the town hall and reported this information.
The necessary action was taken, the tree was cut down, and the path was cleared.
I am delighted to commend the responsiveness of the town hall and everyone else involved in this work.
So, the only minor issue on this route has been resolved, and I wish everyone happy hiking.

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oryx38
oryx38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a challenging panoramic route with excellent signage. The fork at 1,420 metres is indeed difficult to spot, especially since the altitude displayed on a signpost is incorrect!

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