Pas de la Balme

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike if you are sure-footed. Signs indicate "Route strongly discouraged in winter", as a slip would be fatal. Climb up the ski slope, then follow the path under the rocky cliffs, crossing a few scree slopes, then use the straps to reach the final climb to Pas de la Balme. A few hikers and ibex. Alternative route with a loop down through the beautiful Barnière woods and then the track. Elevation gain of 970 metres in 5½ hours with a picnic

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Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, scenic hike in variable weather. The outward route is very well described and clearly marked. However, I started from the Mauret car park (marked on the map with a car park logo under "La Rousse"), which reduces the total elevation gain, but there are no problems with the route from there. (see comments by Bisserain73 on 24 May 201). The trail is very well marked and comfortable. Don't be afraid of the Saracen wall: it's easy to climb up and down, and the final passage under the cliff is certainly a little impressive when seen from a distance, but no problem once you're on it. The long, sub-horizontal balcony crossing from point 1 to point 2 (a slightly unusual longitudinal profile!) also allows you to enjoy the landscape and appreciate the very "limestone" atmosphere of the Vercors.
In short, this is a very beautiful hike that is recommended for experienced hikers. In good weather if possible. And with a bit of luck, you might even encounter some ibex at the Pas de la Balme! The Tête des Chaudières variant is a great addition to this hike for the more adventurous hikers.

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Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful Foehn effect yesterday on the peaks of the eastern side of the Vercors!

For us, that meant staying in the shade (or in the clouds) until we reached the Pas de la Balme.

And then, suddenly, beautiful sunshine on the Vercors plateaus... The cloud front dissolves as we pass the ridge, as if by magic.

Not many people on this path, except at the top.
Elevation gain: 700 to 800 metres maximum, which is why I would classify this hike as moderately difficult.

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Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

You can also start from the Mauret car park at around 1,200 metres, where a good path leads to the Soldanelles refuge. From the Col de l'Arzelier, the route is not always clear: mountain bike trail, snowshoe route in the forest... the chairlift track can be used as a guide.
From the refuge to Pré Achard: no problem.
Then a slightly descending balcony path with (on 23 May) snow-covered passages in the valleys or rushing torrents, a solid snow bridge on the way there but partially collapsed on the way back, which adds spice to the outing.
You can leave the balcony trail at the directional signpost for "Les poules 1501 m" and climb directly to "Mulet du curé", which allows you to route-cut the "Bois Ras" (2). The sarrasin wall is certainly very steep but not technically difficult if the ground is dry. The highest point of the hike is at an altitude of 1924 m, while the Pas de la Balme is at 1839 m.

The view is exceptional!
There are few visitors except at the Pas de la Balme, where you will find hikers coming from Corrençon.
It is almost impossible not to see ibex.

The refuge is partially open (COVID restrictions), and two yurts set apart also serve as refuges.

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Date of your route : Jul 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent balcony trail overlooking the Trièves and facing Mont Aiguille, etc. The most difficult part is under the rocks before the strap that leads to the Pas de La Balme (it's a bit steep, so use your poles) and should be avoided in wet weather! Otherwise, it's great.
From the Pas de La Balme, don't hesitate to climb up to the Tête des Chaudières via a very visible and safe trail.

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Elevation gain still incorrect, trail difficult to find at the start, Pas de la Balme not marked, follow the direction of the meadows, as indicated on the map, but we went up the mountain bike downhill trail because we couldn't find the marked route. No need to follow the route to point 1, you can turn right earlier. To make a circular route, we returned following the 'Maurin' signs, which is an easier descent and avoids having to climb back up to the top of the slopes. A pleasant walk in the forest on a hot day!

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Date of your route : Oct 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike with magnificent views of Mont Aiguille and the ever-present pleasure of reaching the summit of the Vercors plateau... A few tricky scree slopes, particularly on the final climb, but well worth the effort!

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Date of your route : Jul 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The last part was quite steep, both uphill and downhill, so we returned via Château Bernard to complete a circular route to the Col de l'Arzelier

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Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Important: the total elevation gain is only 900 metres and can be reduced to 600 metres if you take the cable car from the Col de l'Arzeliers.
I hesitated for a long time before planning this hike for a group because of the incorrect elevation gain given in the description.

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Date of your route : Jun 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Departure from Col de l'Arzelier (the trail has disappeared under a mountain bike downhill track!) to Col des 2 Sœurs (tricky but don't be put off) then crossing Les 2 Moucherolles and returning via Pas de la Balme
A superb hike where you sometimes have to use your hands, but nothing insurmountable!
The return trip is a bit long...

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Date of your route : May 15, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A risky start, but we quickly find our way back to the top of the chairlift.
We made our way back through the forest below, a wide forest track that is pleasant if the weather is less favourable at higher altitudes...

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Yes, this hike is a bit extreme: the path is on a steep slope almost the entire way, hence the considerable uncertainty.

Arnaud

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Visorando elevation profile:
This is an old topic that has been explained perfectly in the previous link, so I won't say any more about it.
However, there is a very simple way for Visorando users to find the right one:
- view the diagram,
- move the mouse over the low points, the altitude will appear,
- position yourself on the high points, and the new altitude will be given
- calculate the difference.
And so the Pas de la Balme is 700m.
Best regards

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I have read the article on calculating elevation gain carefully, I understand how it works very well, and of course this leads to minor inaccuracies.
But in this specific case, we are talking about double the amount, so I think it is wise to point this out for future hikers.
Total elevation gain approximately 700m.

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Ah, that recurring problem of unevenness. There is an interesting discussion on this topic in the forum:
https://www.visorando.com/forum-randonnee...

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