Pinsot walks

This is a beautiful loop for a day trip in the Belledonne massif, with varied terrain and landscapes. The refuge can be a stopover for more alpine hikes.

Starting from Gleysin, here is a route that is accessible almost all year round (with snowshoes in winter) on the Montagne de Combe Grasse, offering unobstructed views and a visit to a charming lake.

The panoramic view from the summit of the Grand Morétan is exceptional, with the highest peaks of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps all in view. This route, half of which is off-trail, crosses the wild glacial cirque of the Glacier du Gleyzin and reaches the summit via the Col Nord du Gleyzin. A variant described here also allows you to pass via the Col Morétan.

This hike was done on snowshoes, but it can of course be done on foot when there is no snow. Most of the route is marked, with no specific markings for snowshoeing.

Starting from the village of Gleysin, from the Bourgeat Noire car park, this beautiful loop in Belledonne connects several iconic sites in the Haut Bréda valley.The route passes by the Chalet du Bout, then climbs up to the Croix du Léat, before descending to the peaceful Lac du Léat, ideal for a quiet bivouac with views of the Chartreuse and the Bauges. The route continues to the Refuge de l'Oule, a small, friendly alpine lodge where you can also spend the night, then descends back to the starting point. We did this hike over two days with a night at the lake, but it can also be done in a day for the more experienced. A beautiful and varied loop, between forests, alpine pastures, open ridges and wild waterways.

This is a half-day hike. A steady climb takes you to the village of Montouvrard, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Belledonne. The yellow markings are a little faded.

A three-hour walk starting from the village centre.

This is a very pretty route through the mountain pastures to the Col de Claran, offering panoramic views of all the mountains in the Bauges and Chartreuse regions in particular, but also far beyond, as far as Mont Blanc and Mont Aiguille. The circuit is very well marked with traditional yellow signs and markings on the rocks at regular intervals.

Le Grand Charnier is the peak overlooking the Collet d'Allevard resort. You can climb it via a very scenic walk, which follows the ridge for almost the entire route, and the summit offers magnificent views of all the surrounding mountain ranges. For those prone to vertigo, see the ‘Practical Information’ section Moderator’s note : some sections are considered very difficult; see reviews

On the Allevard side, the Grand Charnier is the Belledones peak that must absolutely be added to your list of conquests. At 2,561 metres, it offers 360° views of all the peaks of the two Savoie departments and Isère. Here I suggest the shortest route to reach it, but ‘shorter’ means steeper, and is best suited to experienced hikers. A pleasant hike with a significant elevation gain that becomes technical over the final 300 metres; this summit sometimes remains snow-covered until the end of June.

A pleasant walk, with a bit of an uphill climb but a lovely atmosphere as you pass through hamlets, heading towards a chapel that apparently doesn’t exist. The views are lovely in any case, and the hamlets are pretty too. A very pleasant change of scenery.

A good hike that can be done from spring to autumn when snow conditions prevent you from going higher. However, you will be close to 2000 m.

An easy hiking version of this climb to the Grand Rocher. Once past the refuge, the route follows the Crêt Luisard ridge, where the view is breathtaking in all directions, and you can even see Mont Blanc from the summit.

Short hike to the Crêt du Poulet orientation tables via the Chalet Pierre Roubet.

A beautiful circular route on the ridge of the Grand Rocher, which acts as a balcony with a superb panorama of the Haut-Bréda valley, the Allevard massif and the Sept Laux massif. Easy access from the Barioz cross-country ski centre and an easy route to do in mid-spring when the peaks are still snow-covered.

A family walk through forests and meadows in the Belledonne Massif with superb panoramic views of the Grande Chartreuse Massif on one side and the Vanoise and Sept-Laux on the other.

A lovely snowshoe hike above Grésivaudan through forests and meadows, offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The route is easy and ends at the Crêt du Poulet refuge, where you can enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

A stone's throw from town and you're high in the mountains. But pay attention to the risks.

Circular route via the Tournetalon bypass. Climb up to the orientation table at the top of Les Plagnes, where a 360° panorama awaits you. Descend via Super Small Pass before returning to Prerond via the snowshoe trail.