Refuge Jean Collet walks

This is a beautiful hike in the Belledonne Massif, where you can admire beautiful waterfalls, explore a wild valley and get close to the last glacier in the massif. The view from the refuge overlooks the Grésivaudan valley, from the Chartreuse massif to the Vercors massif.

Lac Blanc is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the Belledonne massif with its turquoise colour. This hike offers the best of Belledonne: forests, torrents, scree slopes, mountain pastures and mineral landscapes. The beauty of the landscapes along the route makes up for the somewhat strenuous climb.

This is a rather wild hike in Belledonne that requires a good sense of direction. With the exception of the lower part, the markings, when they exist, are quite varied, with a few yellow marks, orange lines, blue dots and, above all, numerous cairns of all sizes. There aretwo cable passages at (10).

A circular tour of 2 days in the Belledonne massif, set against the backdrop of the majestic Lac Blanc and Lac de Crop. Numerous views of the neighbouring massifs: Chartreuse, Bauges and Vercors.

A wild hike in Belledonne, beneath the rocks of l’Homme and le Ferouillet, skirting well-trodden paths yet staying far enough away to offer unique views of the varied landscape surrounding Lac de Crop. The vegetation and streams are particularly stunning in autumn, and setting off early in the morning guarantees a chance to spot chamois or ibex.

First stage of this lovely circular route in Belledonne, with the magnificent mountain lake, Lac Blanc, as the final backdrop.

A lovely hike in the Belledonne massif, allowing you to appreciate all the mountain levels, from forest to alpine meadows and up to the mineral levels of high altitude. From Pré Marcel, climb to the Refuge Jean Small Pass, then cross the Col de la Mine de Fer. Descend the opposite slope to Lac de Crop, then after a descent into its glacial cirque, reach the car park via a discreet path.There are several ravines and steep passages, some of which are secured by cables, before reaching the Refuge Jean Small Pass (altitude 1,950 m).

Lac Blanc is undoubtedly the jewel among Belledonne’s many lakes. Its popularity lives up to its reputation. The vast majority of hikers set off from Pré Comté (on the IGN map, La Souille at 1,365m) rather than from Chenevrey (alt. 910m), no doubt due to the extra elevation gain. Yet this route, though more strenuous, is enchanting. The ascent takes place in the shade of the Saint-Mury forest, following the turbulent Ruisseau de Vorz, then opens out into a clearing revealing the superb Cirque du Boulon and its high cliffs, cascaded over by a spray of waterfalls. At the top of the cirque, the path joins the Pré Comté trail to reach Lac Blanc. Against a backdrop of high mountains, the hike continues towards the Pic Central de Belledonne, reaching the foot of the Freydanne Glacier and the vertiginous north face of the Grand Pic de Belledonne

This hike in the Belledonne massif is a version of route no. 44130540, entitled "Le Col de la Mine de Fer et le Lac de Crop en boucle, à partir de Pré Marcel" (The Iron Mine Pass and Lake Crop loop, starting from Pré Marcel), which avoids the passage through the Bois de la Croix Blanche, where the abandoned trail, resembling an adventure course, may put some people off. This loop, starting from Pré Marcel, although shorter, covers the mountain levels, passing from forest to alpine meadows and high-altitude mineral levels, not to mention the magnificent Lac de Crop. From Pré Marcel, climb to the Refuge Jean small pass, then cross the Col de la Mine de Fer. Descend the opposite slope to Lac de Crop, then, after descending its glacial barrier, go around Montagne de Barlet to find the uphill trail and return to the Pré Marcel car park.