Les Échelles walks

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

This circular loop combines a crossing of a little-visited summit offering views of the Chartreuse and the Avant Pays Savoyard with historic or documented passages: ascent via the Route Sarde and the Sentier du Beauvoir, return via the route Béatrice de Savoie and the Voie Royale.

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.

This circular forest loop is accessible in all seasons, even in snow, and takes you through several areas of the Miribel, Saint-Aupre and Rocharey forests, crossing two medium-altitude passes, the Mille Martyrs and the Pilori. You can also enjoy some unobstructed views along the route.

This is a lovely, easy snowshoe walk, mainly through forest. The Col de la Ruchère, at the foot of the Petit Som, is a truly beautiful part of the Chartreuse.

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.

Climb to the summit of Petit Som from La Ruchère. You will enjoy a 360° view and may also encounter marmots and chamois.

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 very beautiful circular with views to the west, south and east. Remains at altitude throughout. Breathtaking view of the Grande Chartreuse monastery from the summit of Aliénard. A very quiet route with beautiful trails.

A beautiful circular on good trails and forest paths that passes by the two viewpoints of Pertuis and Arpison. This high-altitude route begins with a descent and ends with a descent.

This short 1.5-hour hike is a family outing. An artistic discovery route, you can admire and discover works of art along the old Sardinian road.

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