Prélenfrey via the Pas de l'Échalier, from Les Petits Amieux

A short half-day walk that will take you through the hamlets in the commune of Le Gua and offer some views of the Gresse Valley.

Details

62818929
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 507 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 499 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,018 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 540 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is in the commune of Le Gua, at a place called Les Petits Amieux. You can park below the hamlet at the side of the road.

(S/E) Take the track heading north towards the hamlet of Les Grands Amieux.

(1) Just before the hamlet, turn left onto a good track that climbs towards L’Échaillon.

(2) Directly beneath the power line, take the track on the left. Just before a building, look out for a path on the left that climbs towards Pas de l’Échalier and the village of Prélenfrey.

(3) Ignore the turn-off to Les Vincents on the right and continue to the hamlet of Baleyère. Proceed to the junction marked by an iron cross on the right. 

(4) Take the small road on the left which descends towards Prélenfrey. Continue downhill towards the church, pass in front of it and reach the junction with the RD8B.

(5) Head straight ahead and carefully follow the main road for about a hundred metres, then turn left onto Chemin de la Charrière. Continue downhill to the sewage treatment plant, where the tarmac road ends. Carry on along a good track until you reach the Ruisseau de Jonier. 

(6) Turn left to follow the stream and rejoin the RD8b. Follow it downhill for about a hundred metres. 

(7) Cross carefully and take a good track that leads directly back to the hamlet of Les Petits Amieux. Walk through the hamlet to return to the car park (S/E). 

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 540 m - Les Petits Amieux
  2. 1 : km 1.12 - alt. 542 m - Les Grands Amieux, three-way junction
  3. 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 688 m - L'Échaillon
  4. 3 : km 4.25 - alt. 989 m - Les Vincents junction
  5. 4 : km 5.14 - alt. 1,005 m - Crossroads, iron cross
  6. 5 : km 6.14 - alt. 931 m - Prélenfrey RD8B
  7. 6 : km 7.02 - alt. 857 m - Jonier Stream
  8. 7 : km 7.41 - alt. 801 m - Track on the left
  9. S/E : km 9.79 - alt. 541 m - Les Petits Amieux

Notes

On the map, between (1) and (2), a car park is shown but it is closed.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Jeanloic
Jeanloic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk that gives you time to explore the village of Prélenfrey. Perfect for an outing at this time of year. Takes 2½ hours

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Sardine*
Sardine*

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike

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azimut
azimut

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The car park on the bend before Le Petit Amieux is small; it can accommodate 3 to 4 cars, provided they are parked neatly so as not to obstruct the tractors.
The varied landscape opens up to views of the Gresse, the Belledonne range and the Vercors range.
The path is well-marked and the signposting is excellent. Plenty of information on the Resistance and its history as you pass through Prelenfrey.
A lovely spring hike, despite a strong, gusty wind today

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miss38
miss38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really enjoyable walk combining beautiful scenery, culture (the Resistance Trail) and a stream on the way down.
Takes 3½ hours.

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