Miribel-les-Échelles walks

Set off to explore the geological features in the forest above Miribel-les-Échelles, heading towards the Col des Mille Martyrs. Numerous crosses, some recent, others ancient and steeped in history, mark this route. In other open areas, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Chartreuse mountains and the plain stretching towards Les Échelles and Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. To avoid roads as much as possible, you’ll take certain paths deep within the forest that aren’t always shown on the IGN map.

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.

Here is a gentle stroll that will delight young and old alike in a very pleasant forest.

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 circular forest route, dotted with natural attractions and historic buildings, also offers, after a short round trip, a lovely view of the Grande Sure. A booklet dedicated to the heritage along this route is available.

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

A pleasant, easy walk that alternates between spruce forest and open stretches with views of the Dauphiné hills or the Chartreuse mountains.

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

A circular loop above Saint-Pierre-de-Genebroz with beautiful views.

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

There are numerous crosses in the area around Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. Here is a suggested route starting from the main church to see as many of them as possible, mainly in the plain.

The Fourvoirie site marks one of the entrances to the Chartreuse Desert. One of the bridges, built in the 13th century, gave its name to the village of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. On the right bank of the Guiers Mort, the Carthusians once started a major metallurgical industry, which continues today in the Saint-Laurent plain. On the other bank, the monks established a distillery, which was destroyed by a landslide in 1935.

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.

A beautiful, long circular route at moderate altitude, with exposed sections that can be slippery. Start directly below the Rocher du Quartier and climb via Tramoley, passing the Saint-André fir tree to the Col de la Sarriette, then cross the Plateau de la Ruchère before descending via the postman’s path beneath the Pointe du Frou.

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.

A short, quick walk at the foot of the Ruchère cliff, along a narrow path that climbs steadily and crosses the Chemin des Bœufs, which you’ll take on the way down. This leads to the impressive Pierre de Onze Heures and the Barthélemy Fountain, which is always flowing, along a path that runs entirely through the forest.

A breathtaking heritage walk following the Sardinian ‘Route Royale’. Viewpoints and gorges are also on the itinerary. There is also the option to visit the caves (at the Grottes tourist site).

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.

Go back in time a few centuries, or even a few thousand years, first by discovering the Sardinian road built in the 17th century, then the prehistoric paths on the trail of the Magdalenians and Azilians. Please note that one path is closed in winter.

A lovely country walk around the hamlet of Saint-Sixte. This circular route offers beautiful views of the lake of the same name and the Étang des Chartreux.

A country walk to discover the hamlets and ponds around the Colline du Baracuchet.

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

A lovely, well-structured circular loop, though it lacks a few viewpoints.Part of the route is off-track along the summit cliff.Facing south to south-west, then west for the descent, and entirely through woodland, this route is in the shade, although the box trees have been severely affected by the box tree moth. Please note: on 4 August 2026, a user wrote => Circular route not feasible due to a local council order: path impassable.

Short family hike with a climb to Le Petit Som: 360° views, marmots and chamois.

A walk through fields and forests to discover the small heritage of our forests, such as barns and forest huts.

Two stunning panoramic views in the heart of the Chartreuse, a well-balanced walk combining fairly steep sections with pastures and beautiful forests.

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.

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

This route mainly follows the snowshoe trails maintained by the Ruchère Nordic ski centre, allowing for a quick pace; snowshoes are only really necessary between (2) and (3). As over 90% of the route is groomed, the first few kilometres around the centre are generally quite busy. The route can be walked during the summer season.

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

A circular route starting from La Ruchère, which takes you along a significant section of the ridge comprising the Rochers du Frou, the Rochers du Quartier and the Rochers du Pertuis. The route is mainly through woodland, but offers some lovely views over the valley.

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.

A lovely little walk, mostly through woodland. The tarmac sections are along a quiet road. The view from the Rocher de la Garde is very pleasant.

This is an easy hike, except for a short acrobatic passage on the sharp limestone pavement near the cross. Beautiful view of Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey and its surroundings.

Starting from the impressive Crossey Gorges (200 m high), this double-circular route, mainly through woodland and without any technical difficulty or danger, will take you to the Tourniquet or Pont de Pierre Chave, a rather rare spiral structure where the road passes successively under and over the bridge. On the return journey, the route passes by the Rocher de la Garde, a lovely viewpoint overlooking Saint-Étienne de Crossey and the Voironnais region.

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 short family walk of around 2 hours 15 minutes in the hills above Saint-Nicolas-de-Macherin, through forests, greenery, woods and rural hamlets. In summer, the route combines shaded areas with lush greenery. In winter, it can be enjoyable in snowy conditions (consider snowshoes depending on snow conditions).

A lovely little hike with beautiful, unobstructed views of the Chartreuse, Mont du Chat and Les Bauges.

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 varied but relatively long route up to the Grande Sure, favouring sections that are slightly steeper but above all wilder and less frequented than the usual routes: Pas de la Biche and Crête des Charmilles.

A lovely hike, mainly through the woods, allowing you to discover the Chartreuse de Currière, a little-known monastery, and enjoy beautiful views of the Chartreuse from the ridges.

A short country walk between Saint-Nicolas-de-Macherin and Saint-Etienne-de-Crossey.

An easy walk to discover the hamlets of Saint-Nicolas-de-Macherin, nestled among hills, ponds and fields.

This is an easy walk that still offers some beautiful views.

The unique location of the village of Corbel has always required its inhabitants to manage their water resources carefully. Explore the village's ovens and fountains. Before running water arrived in 1989, each isolated house or hamlet depended on its own stone basin.

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.

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).

A walk along the Guiers Mort with small bridges and footbridges, also known as the ‘Balade des poissons bleus’. From the Pont Saint-Bruno to the Pic de l’Œillette, you can discover the legacy of the Carthusian monks. ⚠️ User comment>The route is currently (14/07/2026) closed for safety reasons. It features footbridges in poor condition, which could cause an accident. However, it is very popular for its refreshing atmosphere during heatwaves. Please check with the St Pierre de Chartreuse tourist office.

A lovely circular route through little-known and little-visited parts of the Chartreuse, following old paths… which, sadly, are sometimes on the verge of disappearing.

The Pic de l’Oeillette is a rocky monolith on the edge of the road between Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. There is no question of climbing it here; it serves merely as a visual landmark for a leisurely walk along the banks of the Guiers Mort. Accessible outside the snowmelt season, it offers a welcome respite from the heat in summer.

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 beautiful classic summer circular route in the Chartreuse, passing through several historic passes and mountain pastures and their huts. Most of the route follows good paths through forest or open mountain pastures. Warning: a tricky section to be attempted only when the snow is stable.

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

A beautiful hike through forests and valleys, ideal for warm weather but also in mixed or stormy conditions, as there are several options to shorten the route in case of bad weather. Haberts (shepherds’ and herdsmen’s huts), stunning scenery, a pass and several viewpoints overlooking the Grande Chartreuse Monastery. There is a short stretch of tarmac at the end, which is unavoidable but very quiet with few cars.

Here is a version of the snowshoe route over the Aliénard, Tracol and Ruchère passes, which can be varied in many ways. This is undoubtedly the longest route as it stretches to Chartroussette and covers undulating terrain that remains safe in the event of avalanche risk and is therefore well suited to snowshoeing.

La Chartreuse is full of haberts, large alpine huts where shepherds live in summer whilst the flocks graze there. This circular route takes you past two of them: Chartrousette and Le Billon.

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.

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).

The appeal of this route lies in the challenging hike via the Pas de la Suiffère (ascending, which is much more pleasant), the chance to see the Grande Chartreuse Monastery early in the day, and finishing the hike with a beautiful sunset at the Petit Som, returning to the starting point by headlamp. With some stunning views in store, this is definitely a hike not to be missed.

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.

Day hike with picnic at the Col de Léchaud. Climb through magnificent forest to Habert de Bovinant, Col de Bovinant, Col de Léchaud, Petit Som, return via Pas du Loup, Col de La Ruchère, Habert de Billon and the Grande Chartreuse monastery. Splendid 360° view from the top of Petit Som, including Mont Blanc.

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.

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

A pleasant walk in good weather. Some sections are quite steep. Please note that for much of the route, signposting is virtually non-existent. Take care, and use the map or GPS track.

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, offering an insight into contemporary history, whilst also providing the chance to marvel at the work of water which, over millennia, has shaped the geological features of what is now the Combe Grenand.There are various information boards along the route, including a series designed as a game for children.

This low peak and its twin opposite on the Vercors side, the Dent de Moirans, watch over the exit of the Isère as it flows quietly towards the Rhône and the entrance of rain and snow clouds pushed by the north winds. A remarkable viewpoint over the valleys, it is an ideal half-day walk.

A contemplative hike in the quiet zone of the Chartreuse Desert, following in the footsteps of Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order. The site is perfect for meditation. It offers a stunning view of the peaks of the Grand and Petit Som.

A very beautiful route for exploring Voiron and its surroundings, with stunning views over the Grenoble valley, the Chartreuse, the Vercors and Belledone.

An easy hike to discover the statue towering above Voiron. A real treat, especially in snowy weather. The statue of the Virgin Mary was erected in honour of the Iron Virgin of Le Puy-en-Velay. Legend has it that Bonnassieux committed suicide after sculpting the Virgin. However, he did not commit suicide and died with honours. He deliberately placed Jesus in her right arm so that he would not hide his mother's face as she blesses the town

A beautiful loop around the Grand Ratz, passing by the Roche Brune viewpoint with its breathtaking view of the Isère valley.

Le Charmant Som is very busy due to the access road to its sheepfold coming from the Col de Porte. Its other sides, however, offer a wilder approach, particularly when coming from Valombré and Malamille. This route offers a relatively long but varied circular route, featuring ridge walks and crossings over slabs and sharp limestone pavements, whose wild character contrasts with the crowds at the summit arriving via the mountain pastures.

This is a classic circular route, both fun and demanding, but without any major difficulties. It was found almost unchanged in Chartreuse - Vercors: Les randonnées du vertige by Pascal Sombardier. As this cult book is now out of print and virtually impossible to find, I think it is worth mentioning it here, with what I hope is a clear description of the route. This circular path is strongly discouraged for people who are afraid of heights or who are unsure of themselves on steep terrain. It is therefore not suitable for children either. See the Practical Information section. Rated very difficult from (3) to (4) and then to (5).

This extensive circular route will take you to one of the most legendary peaks in Chartreuse. Technical passages, magnificent views of the massif and the Chartreuse monastery, wild trails: it has it all!

This route first winds through woods and hillsides, then returns via the 'flat' part, avoiding tarmac roads where possible.

A wonderful circular hike with no major difficulties, except for the length and elevation gain! After the point (3), the trail becomes more technical (especially in rainy or snowy weather).

A walk along a wooded slope leading to old meadows; discover Carthusian architecture.

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.

As you follow the streams, change valleys and visit the church of Saint-Hugues de Chartreuse, decorated by the painter Arcabas.

A shaded circular route with beautiful scenery and very well signposted. The climb is a bit steep at the start. No technical sections apart from a short stretch near the Rocher du Mollard (above the cliff) where you’ll need to reassure those prone to vertigo and hold onto children. There’s a safety cable to hold onto, though it’s not strictly necessary. Best done in dry weather. See practical information regarding certain restrictions.