New Bastille trail via Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux

Park along the Ancienne Route de Lyon. In Grenoble, parking spaces are paid on weekdays. There are a few free spaces in Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux. Tram access: line E, Casamaures Village stop (park and ride).

(S/E) Take the staircase parallel to the road, just before the Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux sign (see photo). When you reach Impasse de la Libération, continue climbing on the right. Take Impasse du Belvédère and turn right onto Rue de la Libération. Continue right until you reach Route de Clémencières.

(1) Cross it carefully, then take the small green metal staircase. In the woods, take the path on the right and follow the route lined with logs. Walk along a guardrail (see photo), then cross a small scree slope. There are a few fairly steep passages, but they are not dangerous. You will reach the intersection with the entrance to the Mandrin caves on the left.

(2) Here you can choose whether or not to go through them.
If you do, you can easily rejoin the route by taking the Bastille path (tarmac road on the right as you exit the caves).
If not, continue along the route to the right.
After visiting the Bastille site, head towards the lower level (the one you arrived on) near the low wall facing Grenoble, with the cable car on your right. From there, you will see the path leading back down below. On the left, take the first hairpin bend, which goes around the fort wall. Do not take the second bend and continue straight on towards Porte de France. Descend, keeping to this course. You will reach a Y-junction, with a log reinforcement in the middle of the path for the last few metres.

(3) Take the path on the right, marked by a red sign indicating the second part of the via ferrata. Walk 8 metres, then take the path on the left that descends into the woods. Continue for 60 metres, take the hairpin bend, then the next path on the right that leads to an old stone building. Take the path on the left, descending to Guy Pape Park

(4) After crossing the park, take the path immediately to the right, backtracking a little (see map). Be careful not to take the gate 30 metres further on (normally closed), which leads to a steep descent to Via Ferrata.
Go down a small, fairly steep staircase before joining Chemin de la Rochette.

(5) Here you have two options:
- descend Chemin de la Rochette (on the left) to the main road, then follow it to the car park (S/E),
- take the path on the right to return to the initial crossroads through the forest, which is the route shown on the map.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Walking sticks can help with the climb and are essential after a rainy day.

Option 1: start at Jardin des Dauphins, go to point (4), then follow the route.

Variation 2: start at Chemin de la Rochette, reach point (5), then follow the route.

Large park (fort glacis) at the exit of the Mandrin caves or accessible via the Chemin de la Bastille from the fort