Mont Pravouta and Col des Ayes

Short family-friendly walk with a magnificent view, manageable on foot or on snowshoes.

Technical sheet

526
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 338 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 338 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,755 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,417 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: From Grenoble, head in the direction of Saint Hilaire du Touvet. Just after the tunnel on the left head in the direction of the Col du Coq. The start of the hike is at the Col du Coq.

From the pass head down Route du Versant St Hugues for fifty metres and quickly take the first wide track to the right. This path soon rises gently through the forest. At the exit of the woods we find ourselves at the foot of vast fields; head up through these and see above them the summit of Pravouta. Crossroads of paths. (1) Turn right heading uphill. At about 1600 m there is a large shelf (2) in the hollow of which, a little further north, we see the Habert de Pravouta and behind it the Grand Som. The two domes of the Roc d'Arguille and the Pravouta then dominate the view overhead and a pretty pass located right between the tow path (3) provides the opportunity to get closer. From this section, head uphill due south on the north ridge of the Pravouta and few minutes reach the next summit at 1760 m. Here there is an unmissable opportunity for a contemplative break.

Head down via the south ridge. Depending on your fitness level and the snow conditions, you can head to just about anywhere on the south-east side, continue along the ridge to a small flat area, (4) shortly before the forest. Arrive at Col des Ayes. In the descent, roughly 300 m after the pass (5) find and take the GR9, which starts on your right to reach the Col du Coq and get back to your car.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,434 m - Parking at > - Col du Coq
  2. 1 : km 1.17 - alt. 1,540 m - Exit the woods. Go up to the right.
  3. 2 : km 1.75 - alt. 1,634 m - Large flat area.
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 1,696 m - Pass between Roc d'Arguille and Pravouta. - Col de Pavouta (1696m)
  5. 4 : km 2.54 - alt. 1,755 m - Pravouta summit
  6. 5 : km 3.6 - alt. 1,540 m - Col des Ayes
  7. S/E : km 4.69 - alt. 1,442 m - Parking at > - Col du Coq

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 61 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Christiane B.
Christiane B.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful hike. At the beginning of the descent, there is a short, slightly steep section, then you return to pleasant shade.

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Francou38
Francou38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Hiking in beautiful sunshine. Lots of cars in the car parks and on the sides of the road at the Col du Coq, for the departures of the various hikes. Dent de Crolles and Pravouta being the 2 main hikes. As for the Col de Pravouta, there are a few hikers on the way, but they're not too bad. Room for a leisurely Pic Nic at midday at the pointe de Pravouta, with a magnificent 360-degree view. Descend via the Col des Ayes, mostly in the forest.

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CarolineY
CarolineY
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

we didn't choose this route as it was still too snowy. what's more, access from the col du coq was still closed.
we have postponed this walk until later in the season.

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Bidou61
Bidou61

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

First of all, thank you for a very pleasant hike.
Beautiful views from Pravouta.
We enjoyed a fine ascent in the sunshine, but the descent (steep and a little slippery after the Col de Pravouta) was completely in the shade... so on this fine day at the end of October, we regretted not having done it in the opposite direction.

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☀️
☀️

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Clear, precise instructions at the start of the Col du Coq, a beautiful loop that's part forest, part plateau, with breathtaking scenery.
At the junction with the start of the Dent de Crolles, you feel the urge to continue but... That's for another time😉
Thanks for the guide

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edelaisR65
edelaisR65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice route with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and surrounding mountains. Pleasant and not too difficult.

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hugues13
hugues13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

a lovely walk despite slightly overcast weather

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Jft26
Jft26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Good description
Well frequented on a normal Whit Sunday...

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Sofalex
Sofalex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk, panorama
Magnificent views. Be careful if it has rained the descent is muddy and slippery but it can be done!

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odettounette
odettounette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A hike in beautiful sunshine!
There was still snow at the top.
And the descent was very, very muddy!

But it was a very nice, short and pleasant walk to get some fresh air.

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Wingardium
Wingardium

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk made at the end of December 2022 in spring-like weather!
The Col du Coq road is closed, at least on the Haut-Grésivaudan side, so leave your car at the car park at the entrance to the Gorgette piste. From there, take the path (fairly steep slope) that leads directly to the Habert des Ayes and then to the Col des Ayes. Then follow the route described above. The return from the Col du Coq can be made via the road or a path that cuts through the switchbacks.
There is no snow on the areas exposed to the sun, and the little that remains in the shade is not really an obstacle.
After climbing to Pravouta, I made a short diversions to the Roc d'Arguille just opposite.
With the lower start and this little diversions, the difference in altitude was 650m for 8.9 km covered.
It was a great hike, with magnificent views from the summit of Pravouta of the Belledonne chain from end to end and, of course, of the Dent de Crolles just next door.
It's worth noting that there were quite a few people who'd had the same idea as me that day (the Gorgette car park was very full)!

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Anne Favre Juvin
Anne Favre Juvin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice, easy and short hike (2 hours), ideal for children...
Superb, varied views as you climb up to all the Chartreuse peaks and the Vercors in the distance, and as you descend to the Dent de Crolles and the Belledonne range.

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micheldiguet
micheldiguet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great hike, too bad dogs are not allowed

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PIEROT eric
PIEROT eric

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice, easy walk, to do with children to discover mountain hiking and a finish at the summit with a 360° view.

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Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Many thanks to the author for this beautiful walk.
You gradually discover the main peaks of the Chartreuse (missing the Granier hidden by the Roc d'Arguilé...). At the summit of Pravouta there is a 360° view over the whole of the Chartreuse and beyond to the Vercors, Belledonne, Taillefer...
A lovely, easy walk (although beware of sharp limestone pavements and roots along the way). Great for children.

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