Crossing the Montagne des Quatre Seigneurs

The route starts from the “Les Peiffendes” bus stop on TAG Proximo line no. 23, in Saint-Martin-d’Uriage.

(S) Nearby, cross the Sonnant stream by following a street lined with housing estates. Soon, blue markings indicate the start of a path on the left. Initially running along the edge of the forest and very muddy in wet weather, it eventually leads deep into the undergrowth. Then, after skirting fields, it reaches the hamlet of Villeneuve. Then turn left onto Rue du Mûrier and head due south along a new street which quickly takes you to the beautiful Saint-Jean-Baptiste chapel.

(1) A gate leads to the west of the building onto Chemin de Miremond. Follow it to the right to reach the Route d’Herbeys nearby. Walk along it to the left, heading west, for 150 m, then take the unmarked Chemin des Quatre Seigneurs on the right.

The climb, running alongside fields, is quite steep. Entering the forest proper, the path crosses a level track at around 730 m and then, higher up at around 770 m, reaches a junction. Take the left-hand branch (the steepest one), which leads onto a rampart walk at around 850 m. Follow it to the right, skirting the Fort des Quatre Seigneurs to the north to reach a bend in its access road. Continue to the right and, after a 150 m descent, reach a small pass at 887 m.

(2) You will then see the start of a yellow-marked path on the right. Initially running horizontally along the northern flank of the Fournet hill, it suddenly descends steeply for a short distance, leading out onto a meadow. Turn left onto a track heading south to reach the pass at the foot of the Montagne du Mulet meadow.
If it is not fenced off, you can walk up it to quickly reach a solitary tree standing at its summit, where you can enjoy a lovely view.

(3) Turn right onto a path still marked in yellow, which winds down the northern slope of the Montagne du Mulet before leading onto a forest track at a place called “Champ Michel”. Following it to the left, you’ll soon come across the start of a new marked path on the right. You could take this to reach Romage... but it would be a shame to miss one of the highlights of this hike.

Continue along the track until it splits in two. Take the right-hand branch, which ends at a private gate. A path skirts around this property to the right (north) and eventually reaches the top of the Prairie des Civières, offering a breathtaking view of the Grenoble conurbation.

(4) Head down a path leading to the Route des Maquis. Turn right for about twenty metres, then turn left onto the signposted path leading down to Romage, which you should take this time. A little further on, at the Fork in the road, take the right-hand branch, which leads more quickly to the hamlet, near its fountain.

(5) Take the street opposite, then turn right immediately onto the Chemin de l’Oratoire. It descends initially along the edge of fields before entering the forest.

(6) Continue to the left and, after passing Camp de Poisat, you’ll come to a crossroads.

(7) You will then enter the grounds of Château d’Eybens, enclosed by a stone wall. The path is lined with targets set up by the Archers of Château d’Eybens; after a few short bends, it leads to a velodrome.

(8) Turn right to walk alongside it, go round the roundabout on the right, then cross a footbridge over the Verderet stream to quickly reach the bus stop of the same name on the TAG Chrono line no. C4 (E).

Water fountains in the hamlets of Villeneuve and Romage.
A hunters’ hut located near (2) can be used as a shelter.
This hike requires taking buses on routes 26 and C4 of the Grenoble metropolitan area’s public transport network. They run every day, except on 1 May, and timetables are available on the TAG website.