Petit Som starting from La Ruchère-Le Habert

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I hiked to Petit Som on 20 September 2025 with a group from the alpine club. The weather was good, the ground was dry, and the group was well-matched. At Pas du Loup, my walking stick slipped on the rock (according to the person behind me), I fell into the void and took a 6-metre tumble. Suffering from multiple injuries, I was rescued by the Grenoble Mountain Rescue Team and operated on at the university hospital.
We are on a GR (long-distance footpath), and I think that on this short section, for safety reasons, a cable should be installed to limit the use of walking sticks.
After six weeks in hospital, I returned home and am doing well with physiotherapy, but I am aware that I could have died.

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I hiked to Petit Som on 20 September 2025 with a group from the alpine club. The weather was good, the ground was dry, and the group was well-matched. At Pas du Loup, my walking stick slipped on the rock (according to the person behind me), I fell into the void and took a 6-metre tumble. Suffering from multiple injuries, I was rescued by the Grenoble Mountain Rescue Team and operated on at the university hospital.
We are on a GR (long-distance footpath), and I think that on this short section, for safety reasons, a cable should be installed to limit the use of walking sticks.
After six weeks in hospital, I returned home and am doing well with physiotherapy, but I am aware that I could have died.

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Superb hike with a beautiful climb on a wide, shaded path for a good 2 km at the start of the hike.
Magnificent panorama at the summit.

Please note , however, this route crosses mountain pastures from the Col de la Ruchère (1): dogs, even on a leash, are not allowed so as not to frighten the sheep.
Further on, on the Habert de Bovinant ridge (just before point (7)), a sign specifies that this prohibition is in force from 1 May to 31 October (municipal decree of 17 July 2001).

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Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views from the Col de la Ruchère. The climb ends with a steep, narrow chimney. There are no real technical difficulties at the Pas du Loup, but there is a vertiginous section where you have to squeeze between a flake and the rock face. On Ascension Day weekend, the route was quite busy from late morning onwards.

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Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery starting from the Col de la Ruchère.

It's quite challenging up to the Petit Som, ending with a climb up a chimney.
At Habert du Bovinant, there are herds and sheepdogs.
The Pas du Loup can be a little tricky for some as it involves a short descent over rocks.

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Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

On the way back via the Pas du Loup, follow the signs for Le Habert and not the sports centre if you have parked at Le Habert, as this is a long detour and not at all pleasant.

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Date of your route : Aug 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb view at the summit!
Even though I'm afraid of heights, the climb is easy, and even the scramble before the summit is no problem.
However, the Pas du Loup is more difficult to cross. It's a long stretch of scree that is quite steep and sometimes slippery.
Then, just after the Pas de Loup pass, there is a short descent over rocks where you pass in front of a cliff.
The explanations are clear, except at points (5) and (6) where I didn't quite understand the right/left and return directions on the spot; the lodge is easily visible from the top and I went there directly on the way down.
Otherwise, it's a hike with a steep elevation gain, just the way I like them, with a 360° view that's well worth the effort.
Thank you, Mauvaijoueur, for this beautiful hike!

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Date of your route : Jun 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant route with beautiful views from the summit.
Can be combined with the Grand Som.

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Date of your route : Nov 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, beautiful view. We climbed up via the Col de l'Échaud and descended via
the Pas du Loup and Col de la Ruchère. A very beautiful route, best done in dry weather.

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Date of your route : Jul 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike with a few slightly exposed sections, just enough! (in good weather).

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Date of your route : Sep 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We chose to set off from the 'La Ruche à Gîter' lodge, which is on the same level but a little longer. A small correction needs to be made to the route description: the altitude of the cross is slightly above 1,770 metres (sign just below) and not 1,663 metres. For the return trip, we cut across the Lechaud pass to reach the Pas du Loup directly (avoid this route in case of rain). Otherwise, it's a nice walk with a beautiful view of the Chartreuse from the cross.

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Date of your route : Jun 18, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk.
To avoid returning by the same route, you can take a yellow-marked trail from the Habert car park.
Go to the far end of the car park, cross the stream bed and take the steep path on the left. This path leads to the Col de Léchaud via the northern valley and is more scenic than the main path back!

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Date of your route : Jun 16, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

We couldn't get to La Ruchère because the road was blocked. We followed the diversion signs, but the detour was very, very long. We finally decided to go for a walk above the Grande Chartreuse monastery, parking at the museum.

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