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Saint-Colomban-des-Villards walks
Col et Lac des Balmettes and Brèches de la Passoire
Visorando Member
5.88 mi
+3,333 ft
-3,333 ft
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
An original way to explore Lac des Balmettes and its pass, continuing on to the Col du Villonet – offering a front-row view of the imposing Pic du Frêne – and then on to the Brèches de la Passoire, which provide a superb view of the Grésivaudan.Along the way, you’ll spot ibex and chamois in the magnificent and little-visited Combe Rousse.The route is partly off-trail but poses no navigation difficulties.
The Col de Montfosset via Les Balmettes
4.07 mi
+2,418 ft
-2,428 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A beautiful hike in a wild area of Belledonne.
With a bit of luck, you may encounter streams, lakes and trout, blueberries, marmots and chamois.
Combe and Col du Merlet
9.23 mi
+3,737 ft
-3,737 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Alban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A lovely walk through a beautiful, unspoilt valley in the Belledonne range. It’s a bit of a long walk, but well worth the effort.
Pointe de l’Aup du Pont
8.06 mi
+4,442 ft
-4,416 ft
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Alban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A superb viewpoint between Puy Gris and Pic du Frêne, easily accessible and offering a magnificent panorama of the main peaks of the French Alps.
This walk takes place largely off the beaten track or along very faint paths, but there are no navigation difficulties in good weather, as the terrain offers plenty of landmarks.
Vultures, chamois and ibex can be spotted, particularly below the Pointe du Villonet.
Pic Nord du Merlet
Tourism professional
4.98 mi
+3,317 ft
-3,258 ft
5h 10
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Alban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A lovely hike starting from Les Granges. The climb up the Combe du Merlet is fairly easy at first, but the slope gets steeper below the pass, which you reach without any trouble. The rest of the route follows a chamois track almost all the way to the summit, though you’ll need to keep a close eye on the path.
The Bacheux Lakes from Les Reisses
6.93 mi
+3,448 ft
-3,448 ft
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines (Savoie)
A wild and little-visited valley where you can discover two superb lakes in the middle of a mountain cirque.
A true high-mountain atmosphere guaranteed.
Tête de Bellard and Grand Truc Circular Loop
7.56 mi
+2,552 ft
-2,552 ft
5h 40
Moderate
Departure from Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire (Savoie)
This circular walk offers stunning views of the Toussuire hillside as well as the Belledonne massif. You’ll be treated to 360° views. The pastures you will cross will no doubt give you the chance to see sheep and their patous, large dogs trained to protect livestock. This walk should be undertaken in clear weather to fully enjoy the scenery.
Champ Perouze circular in La Toussuire
2.82 mi
+374 ft
-394 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire (Savoie)
A short, easy walk overlooking the Toussuire amongst the mountain pastures.
Col du Glandon - Col de la Croix de Fer circular
5.45 mi
+1,486 ft
-1,486 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A lovely, easy hike through the mountain pastures at high altitude, between two legendary Tour de France passes.
Sambuis Peak and Lake, and Lake de la Croix
7.44 mi
+3,734 ft
-3,704 ft
6h 40
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A splendid route, partly off-trail, offering views of the north face of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière and its reflections in the emerald lakes of Sambuis and La Croix: panoramic views. Many ibex frequent the rocky outcrops above the lakes.
This hike presents no difficulty apart from the elevation gain and finding the route (4km without markings).
Col de la Combe and Lac de la Croix
6.90 mi
+3,438 ft
-3,435 ft
7 hrs
Extremely difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
An introductory hike through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Belledonne, amidst the Aiguilles de l’Argentière. After climbing the Col de la Combe, the route leaves any defined path behind to explore the weathered rocks forming the northern foothills of the Aiguilles, eventually reaching the wild Col de la Marmottane, home to chamois and ibex.
The descent takes you past the magnificent Lac de la Croix and its splendid valley.
Lakes of La Combe, La Croix and Le Sambuis
7.77 mi
+3,688 ft
-3,684 ft
7 hrs
Extremely difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
One of the most beautiful hikes in Belledonne, between Isère and Savoie. The route, which is mainly off-trail, crosses the legendary Aiguilles de l’Argentière, runs alongside a beautiful glacier in the massif, takes in three high-altitude passes and offers views of splendid lakes and small lakes.
⚠️The abundance of wildlife and the extraordinary landscapes add at least 1 to 2 hours to this hike compared to Visorando’s estimate, not to mention the off-trail terrain; you should allow for around 8 hours of walking.
Lac de la Croix and Lac du Sambuis via the Col du Sambuis
5.78 mi
+2,438 ft
-2,434 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A lovely day's hike with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière, offering plenty of refreshment thanks to a myriad of lakes and, in the background, the Aiguilles d'Arves and La Meije.
Rocher Blanc via the Col de Buyant
5.98 mi
+3,960 ft
-3,947 ft
5 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
A short hike, mostly off-trail, allowing you to enjoy the wild splendour of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière area and come out at Rocher Blanc (2928m). The east face of Belledonne is much less frequented than its opposite, and the chances of encountering wildlife are therefore greater.
This hike is particularly recommended at the beginning of the season when the snowfields are still present, or at the end of the season when the snow begins to dust the slopes again.
(Danger) The difficulty of this hike increases to Extremely Difficult in summer when the slopes are snow-free.
Pic and Col de l'Agnelin and Lac de l'Âne
5.76 mi
+3,406 ft
-3,432 ft
5 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
This is a wild hike that quickly leaves the beaten track to tackle the Lac de l'Âne glacial cirque via its highest peak, the Pic de l'Agnelin. There are superb views throughout this walk, both on the Bréda and Belledonne valley side and on the Eau d'Olle and Grandes Rousses valley side.
The difficulty lies mainly in finding the route, but the Visorando app makes it very easy to follow.
Lac de l'Âne
4.11 mi
+2,484 ft
-2,480 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (Savoie)
The climb is not very long but quite steep above the Grand Maison dam lake, below the Aiguilles de l'Argentières and opposite the Grandes Rousses, to reach a beautiful lake at the foot of the Sept-Laux massif. Ibex can be seen here when the sheep are not grazing.
More walks in Saint-Colomban-des-Villards
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