Les Échelles walks

A pleasant walk in the woods overlooking the village of Les Échelles in Savoie.

Short hike to discover prehistory at the Fru site and the historic passage of the Via Sarde between Lyon and Turin.

The Col des Mille Martyrs is a road pass well known to cyclists, but hikers are also familiar with it, as there are many paths criss-crossing the area. The proposed walk takes place in a landscape of pastures and forests to the west of the Chartreuse Massif, offering panoramic views of the mountains.

Hike through forests and mountain pastures, passing by the summit of Petit Som.

A classic Chartreuse route that can be started from several locations.

This circular can be done in almost any season (except after storms or heavy rain) and allows you to discover some lesser-known parts of Chartreuse.

This easy hike in summer becomes more difficult with the onset of winter conditions. A few centimetres of snow are enough to cover the markings on the ground and make it harder to progress on the steeper sections. This hike can be done in half a day from mid-November onwards, but don't set off after 2pm, otherwise you'll need a head torch for the return journey.

A beautiful snowshoe hike on the edge of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, accompanied by the legendary peaks of Grand Som and Chamechaude. Choose a sunny day after a snowfall.

A peaceful hike from La Ruchère, at the foot of the Grand and Petit Som, along the paths of the haberts (shepherds' shelters). Autumn is a particularly good time to visit, with the colours of the beech trees and the sun flooding the few meadows you cross: Billon, Arpison, etc. Be careful at the end of the route, however, as there is a slightly steep path that may slow down inexperienced hikers (or in specific conditions, such as snow, rain, fallen trees, etc.). See comments.

A circular route between two villages in Chartreuse. This route's highest point is just over 1,000 metres, making it suitable for when temperatures have dropped. At these altitudes, the hand of man is often present in the villages and hamlets. You will encounter old dwellings, fountains, bread ovens... The route is well signposted.

In Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, there is a 6 km flat walk along a wetland discovery trail.

The Mont Grêle lookout point and Archelle’s summit. Mont Grêle is a peak that is visible from the valley of Chambéry and the Aiguebelette region. It is easily spotted thanks to or because of the pylons that are installed at the top. Up close, these towers have still look great, but they do not alone justify the purpose of the tour, which is interesting because it offers views over Lake Aiguebelette and Chartreuse.

A short, easy walk with some lovely views and a passage over the original Pont de Pierre Chave bridge.

Roche Veyrand is a peak that proudly dominates the two Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont villages. Its steep slopes have made it possible to equip a Via Ferrata. This route is a classic in the Entremonts: it climbs directly up a steep path close to the equipped cliff, then descends via a wide forest detour that takes you through several hamlets of Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont (Savoie).

From Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, this beautiful walk leads to the source of the Guiers-Vif, follows the course of the torrent, passes through hamlets and reveals the large clearing of the Cirque de Saint-Même. The Cirque de Saint-Même is a very popular spot, attracting families in search of fresh air in the summer months. Hikers will find a little more freshness and tranquillity as they climb towards the Cascade du Guiers-Vif.

La Cochette in Chartreuse (1,618 m) is an easily accessible peak.

A short mountain hike leading to an exceptional viewpoint.

Mont Outheran is a long plateau stretching nearly 4 km, running roughly north-south between Col du Planet (1,184 m) and Col du Grapillon (1,509 m). It is a rather wild area, and for good reason: access via the Pas du Cuert is not the easiest, and the descent to the Col du Mollard requires the utmost caution. Warning: For those prone to vertigo, please read the wpt description carefully (2)

Starting from the small downhill ski slopes of the Désert d'Entremont, this is a very accessible walk offering two beautiful views of the Chartreuse massif, both from the foot of Mont Outhéran and from Pointe de la Cochette, the latter being the most spectacular. The ascents and descents take place in the shade of the woods and forests, offering a beautiful panorama of the Chartreuse massif. Unbeatable value for money!

A wilder approach to this iconic peak of the Grande Chartreuse, which will require some route finding to reach the starting point.

A beautiful hike in Chartreuse that follows the route of the 120 hairpin bends to reach the Col du Frêt, before turning onto the Col de Bovinant. In the second half of June, the flora is in full bloom: St Bruno's lilies, martagon lilies, columbines, anemones, gentians...

Another way to reach the summit of the Grande Sure. Most hikers from the Grenoble area access it via Proveysieux and the Col de la Charmette. For those coming from the Savoyard hinterland, access via Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and the Chartreuse de Curière is an interesting alternative. From the start at (5), the route is not very busy.

A beautiful hike to be done with or without snowshoes.

A snowshoe circuit in the Entremonts valley. It is a loop alternating between ascents and descents, passages through forests and mountain pastures, shady slopes and sunny slopes, crossing the hamlet of Grand Carroz with its few houses.

Around the two communes of Saint-Pierre d'Entremont, this walk covers the two departments of Savoie and Isère, exploring the architectural heritage and Carthusian landscapes. The most beautiful panorama can be seen from the esplanade of the Château du Gouvernement in Saint-Pierre d'Entremont (Isère).

A short hike around the Guiers Mort, a pretty little stream. The walk is mainly through the undergrowth at the bottom of the gorges along the Guiers, in search of coolness, with several opportunities to take a dip. - User report on 24 August 2023: The trail is currently closed for works from 14 August to 30 November 2023 (the "blasting" sign is very dissuasive). Access from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse by car is also closed (long detour via Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont).

In the land of silence of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, an easy and very pleasant walk in all seasons.

To reach the Fontanieu chimney, the classic route climbs through the forest on the western slope of the Mallissard valley. It is difficult to find your way here due to a maze of forest paths created by logging. In addition, the maps are often out of date.The proposed hike avoids this wooded valley and passes through a little-used area where the route is easy to follow with very few intersections. It consists of a single track, climbing up a valley to the Col de Fontanieu. However, this adds 2 km to the hike and 50 m to the elevation gain. From the pass, the trail climbs to the foot of the cliff and follows it to reach the Fontanieu chimney. Then there is a long aerial traverse followed by a ridge crossing. From the summit of the Lance Sud de Malissard, the return is via the Col de Bellefont and the Col de la Saulce. 4/12/2023: Some sections may be closed (see practical information).

A very pleasant walk, often in the shade. Ideal for very hot days. Very little tarmac and, as a bonus, waterfalls. Points of interest: the Robin Stele (a tragic episode in the Resistance), the gorges visible from the footbridge, the waterfall, etc.

An easy route starting from the village of La Bridoire, where you can learn about contemporary history and marvel at the work of water, which over thousands of years has shaped the geological curiosities of what is now the Combe Grenand. There are various information panels along the route, including a series in the form of a game for children.

This walk through the woods is very pleasant in warm weather, with a beautiful view from the belvedere over the Grande Chartreuse Monastery and the surrounding peaks. The difference in altitude, the sometimes narrow path, the balcony-like terrain and the untimely opening of forestry tracks make the return journey difficult. Please read the recommendations carefully at (6).

A lovely route in Chartreuse in an area famous for its monastery. It is very popular, but there is room for everyone. There are no markings between Pont des Allemands and Habert de Billon.

A magnificent hike that combines a natural section starting with a climb through the forest, continuing over the pleasant Pas de La Suiffière and then the easy but aerial ascent of the south ridge of the Grand Som, with a cultural section exploring the Monastère de la Grande Chartreuse, a veritable work of architectural art.

This is definitely the easiest and shortest way to climb the Grand Som. Caution for those prone to vertigo: between (2) and (3), the walk becomes a climb in places. The passages are often narrow and can be daunting.

A beautiful classic circular in Chartreuse, starting from La Correrie via Habert de Billon, Col de la Ruchère and finally Notre-Dame de Casalibus.

This is a loop trail that passes through the Grand Som and, to avoid the crowds, descends along the Arête de la Suiffière (a little exposed but easy), then joins the Col de Freney (and the forest) and, via a path with numerous hairpin bends, returns just above La Correrie, our starting point.

Leave the village and walk around the valley, discovering the main peaks as you go: Charmant Som, Chamechaude, Dent de Crolles, Scia and Grand Som. You will also pass through several Carthusian hamlets.

This hike takes you to the summit of Mont Grelle and runs along part of Lake Aiguebelette, which can be admired from a viewpoint.

Starting from Aiguebelette, this is an easy hike on the western slope of the Épine mountain, taking the Voie Romaine and the Voie Sarde. This route offers numerous views of Lake Aiguebelette. See the safety recommendations at (9).

This route has the least elevation gain for climbing one of the four peaks over 2,000 m in the Chartreuse. Magnificent view of the back of the Dent de Crolles, the north of the Chartreuse and, on the other side, the majestic Mont Blanc.