Pas de la Clé and Bec de l'Orient

This walk offers a multitude of additional routes to vary according to your mood!
This one is designed to satisfy the most curious: visit the Glacière, Pas de la Clé and Becs de l'Orient, with superb panoramic views over the entire Isère valley.
A flower-filled, refreshing walk with panoramic views.

Details

6984
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 861 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 861 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,596 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,224 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Gève plateau 5 km north of Autrans

  • From the car park, head north to the Gève refuge (1). Continue straight ahead along the Cyclone forest track to Vira Gros Jean (2) (1,352 m).
  • Follow the path on the right uphill towards the Pas de la Clé until you reach the Gelinottes crossroads (3) (1,435 m).
  • You can return to the glacier (4) (30 minutes round trip), but be careful not to venture onto the glacier, which is very unstable and reserved for speleologists (underground glacier).
  • From the Gelinottes (3), continue north to reach the clearing and the edge of the cliff at the Pas de la Clé (5) (1,509 m).
  • Take theGR®9 trailon the left, which follows the northern edge of the Vercors, until you reach the Pas Brochier. Climb up to the Bec de l'Orient (6), on a protruding spur (1,554 m, cross).
  • Head south to the Pré de Nave, passing by the Cheminée (1,520 m). Follow theGR® and head towards Signal de Nave/Autrans. This trail follows the ridges and descends towards Autrans. 1 km after the Signal de Nave, it arrives below the Pas de la Pierre Taillée (7) (1,550 m). Take the lower path on the left to the 1,437 m contour line (8). Continue left on a very steep descent to the Chargeoir de Nave (1,350 m). Continue south for another 500 m on the road to Foncd Scellier (1,300 m).
  • Take the forest road on the left, the Epérierres, which passes in front of the Ture cave (do not venture in, caving equipment required). After 2 km, follow the yellow cross-country trail, a forest road (with a series of ascents and descents), until you reach the road (10).
  • Cross the road and go up the path on the left that runs alongside the road until you reach the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,286 m
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 1,289 m
  3. 2 : km 1.91 - alt. 1,355 m
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 1,425 m
  5. 4 : km 3.01 - alt. 1,420 m
  6. 5 : km 4.45 - alt. 1,462 m
  7. 6 : km 6.26 - alt. 1,447 m
  8. 7 : km 9.3 - alt. 1,493 m
  9. 8 : km 9.73 - alt. 1,450 m
  10. 9 : km 10.51 - alt. 1,300 m
  11. 10 : km 13.46 - alt. 1,224 m
  12. S/E : km 15.18 - alt. 1,287 m

Notes

A fairly shaded walk with no particular difficulties. However, be careful of the cliffs, especially at Signal de Nave.

Worth a visit

Don't do this hike without visiting La Glacière, an underground glacier that is definitely worth a detour!

At Pas de la Clé, in addition to the panoramic view, see the remains of the path carved into the rock that was once used to transport tree trunks to the coast via the waterways!

At a place called La Cheminée, you can see the remains of an RAF plane that crashed here in 1943.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 53 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Wingardium
Wingardium
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I followed the route pretty much as indicated. The only change was at Signal de Nave, where I turned back at Près de Nave to go straight down to the point (9).
Having forgotten my phone (and therefore not downloaded the IGN map!), I did the route from memory and had no problem finding the right paths, as each crossroads was signposted. On that note, you need to look carefully at both sides of the signposts, as the directions are spread across both sides!
The return journey is a bit long, but the forest tracks are pleasant to walk along.
There are beautiful views from the top of the cliffs over the Isère valley, the Voironnais, the Bièvre and as far as Lyon on a clear day. At Signal de Nave, there are also beautiful views of the Grandes Rousses, the Écrins and the Taillefer.
Very few people: one couple and a group of six.

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JAROSZ
JAROSZ

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
Incorrect route at the 550 m elevation gain, which was positive instead of the advertised 890 m?
Also, too much forest trail
The Pas de la Cle and the Bec de l'Orient offer lovely views, and a stop on the ridges further on for lunch is perfect
Regards
Daniel

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Fredsa
Fredsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike!

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M Grisel
M Grisel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done yesterday with a group. The climb is steep but offers beautiful views, alternating between sharp limestone pavement and pleasant grassy paths. Some sections have been devastated by foresters, leaving muddy ground that requires walking on the sides. Beautiful hike with a picnic break next to the sun cross.

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florence.cramesnil
florence.cramesnil

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route from the Gève car park to La Cheminée and from La Buffe to the car park is not easy to find in the forest (we got lost in these two sections, but we found our way back using the map). The ridges are then easy to follow (just take the GR trail). The description lacks details at the various junctions.

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Django26
Django26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike in good weather with my two dogs in 3 hours and 40 minutes on a weekday. I met a few friendly hikers, but it was far from crowded.
It's a mix of shaded trails in the undergrowth and sunny forest tracks.
The numerous viewpoints along the ridges between points 5 and 7 are worth the detour, but I think the area should be avoided in wet weather as it is likely to be very slippery and therefore dangerous given the steep drop.
I recommend this beautiful hike, especially as there are many variations possible.
Thanks to the visorandonneur.
Nono.

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B-ron
B-ron
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A hike that left me with mixed feelings, even a bitter taste... By the end, I was fed up and eager to get there. That's the first time that's ever happened to me. Too many people and too many forest "motorways".

For someone who never or rarely hikes, it would be fine. For a more experienced hiker, it would be more like a Sunday stroll with lots of people.

Let me explain in more detail:

First of all, this is just my opinion and it may also be partly my fault. I chose this hike based mainly on the difficulty and duration, but I skimmed over the description and didn't analyse the route. This hike is simply not what I'm looking for.

The main negative points in my opinion are:
-A large part of the hike is on forest tracks/roads. Although these tracks are certainly necessary (forest maintenance, logging, fire prevention/assistance), it's sad to see that there's practically nothing else in the area. Some are wider than others, some are better maintained than others, and you go from one to the other. In the long run, it's not interesting at all.

-This place is easy to access and has been developed for everyone:
Too many people, hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and, on top of that, on the day I was there, an orienteering race. It's rarely quiet. And to top it all off, there were lots of rude tourists that day (I came across about ten people doing the orienteering race, and only two said hello...)

In short, I don't recommend this hike for anyone who is used to the mountains and walking.

Otherwise, I did a few variations:
- When I got to the Nave meadow, I continued straight on to the Nave hut. It doesn't change much, but for a few hundred metres you're in a flowery clearing, which is a nice change from the forest.
At the hut, there is a table, ideal for a lunch break.

- After point 8, rather than taking the forest road (paved), I continued straight ahead on a pleasant little path. After a while, you come to another track. Fifty metres further on, I took another path on the left (be careful, it's signposted but the path is rarely used and most of the time it's invisible. You need to keep an eye on the markings on the trees). You inevitably end up on a track, but at that point you're not far from the end.

The first part is interesting. I recommend going to the Bec de l'Orient (point 6, where there is a nice view of the valley) and turning back.

The hike took 5½ hours, including breaks.

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Magis75
Magis75

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent summer walk to do in the morning, in the cool forest, along the cliff edge - magnificent views. The only problem with navigation is that if you are coming from the Gève car park (or the Gève refuge) and turn off at the Pas de la Clé before the Bec d'Orient, be careful not to continue (red and white GR markings) towards the Pas Brochier, heading for the Cabane des Naves. Because the signposting says you're arriving at Autrans, you may think you're going in the right direction, but you can't easily reach Gève from that side of the canyon!
Easy and family-friendly (except for the danger of cliffs, of course)

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redhome27
redhome27

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

There are road access points all over the circuit, so there are people everywhere, and it's a real fairground atmosphere at Bec de l'Orient. Indeed, from Pas de la Clé onwards, the "foresters" have ruined the paths. As before Bec, you climb up the wide forest roads used for cross-country skiing, and there are few trails. There are some on the ridge, which are also very busy. For the view from the ridge, it's better to look to the left: the Grande Moucherolle and Veymont in the distance. Below on the right is the Isère valley: motorway and towns, the dream.
Some sections are pleasant, it's true, but there's no risk of forgetting civilisation.
And to remind us of its past splendour, you can take the Pas de la Clé down to the left for 800 m (quite steep) to the jagged remains of the "airplane", a Lancaster that crashed in 1944, killing all seven crew members. (At the bottom of the 800 m, take the forest road on the left for 80 m, which climbs slightly; this is not signposted). Return trip.
I followed the GPX track, which reproduces (with a mouse?) the thick purple line on the IGN map. With a little searching, it should be possible to avoid the forest motorways, which I did at the end.
There's no need to drive up to the starting car park; you can leave your car where the road crosses the return route, at the lowest point.

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LisaR
LisaR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy to follow with signs and markings, and a superb view from the top. Takes about 5 hours, including breaks (with a detour to the ice cave but not to the plane memorial).

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PHILIPPE REYNIER
PHILIPPE REYNIER

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful discovery in northern Vercors

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aneyret1961
aneyret1961

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike. Definitely to be done in dry weather... We had splendid, dry weather (13 October 19)

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Marion Nauche
Marion Nauche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great walk with no difficulties , lovely views.
We used the .gpx data on my watch, which made it very easy to follow.
We completed the hike in 4 hours and 45 minutes, including a break for lunch.

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ulju6342
ulju6342

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

A very beautiful walk on a lovely day (sunny and not too hot)
Lots of views of the Isère valley
A challenging descent, the ice house, the cave, the plane
A walk worth doing

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dieumegard
dieumegard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hikes.

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