Saint-Hilaire (Isère) walks

A beautiful hike that climbs up the west face of the Dent de Crolles and descends via the stunning plateau to the north.

This is an unusual and challenging hike. It takes in all the highlights of the Dent de Crolles and its surroundings. Source of the Guiers Mort, Arche à l'Aiguille, Sangle Barrère, Chemin des Crêtes, Arche de Rocheplane and Lance Sud de Malissard.

A beautiful, fairly challenging walk offering splendid views of all the peaks of the Chartreuse. Caution! Read the comments carefully. A tricky scree slope has been reported.

Short family-friendly walk with a magnificent view, manageable on foot or on snowshoes.

A pleasant hike above Grenoble, fairly short but with superb views.

This route has the least elevation gain for climbing one of the four peaks over 2,000 m in the Chartreuse. Magnificent view of the back of the Dent de Crolles, the north of the Chartreuse and, on the other side, the majestic Mont Blanc.

Spectacular hike to the hanging gardens of Les Charassons with the discovery of two magnificent arches.As the Marcieu valley is entirely private, the hike never passes through it and always remains on authorised terrain. This hike is extremely difficult beyond what is usual on Visorando and requires climbing a short 3c section (a single move). An ice axe is recommended even (especially) in summer to tackle the steep slopes of the hanging gardens without stress. Most of the hike is on unmarked and (very) poorly marked paths. See Practical Information. This hike takes place largely at the foot of cliffs. Geolocation (GPS, etc.) is therefore approximate, with errors exceeding 40 m. You must therefore use your brain and critical thinking skills and act according to the terrain.

The "Passage de l'Aulp du Seuil" ("Aulp du Seuil" passing): this hike is one of the most beautiful hikes of the Chartreuse massif.

Take a short walk in the Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse valley. You can admire the peaks of Chamechaude to the south, Charmant Som to the west and Grand Som to the north-west, while passing through charming Carthusian hamlets.

Leave the village and walk around the valley, discovering the main peaks as you go: Charmant Som, Chamechaude, Dent de Crolles, Scia and Grand Som. You will also pass through several Carthusian hamlets.

This is definitely the easiest and shortest way to climb the Grand Som. Caution for those prone to vertigo: between (2) and (3), the walk becomes a climb in places. The passages are often narrow and can be daunting.

To reach the Fontanieu chimney, the classic route climbs through the forest on the western slope of the Mallissard valley. It is difficult to find your way here due to a maze of forest paths created by logging. In addition, the maps are often out of date.The proposed hike avoids this wooded valley and passes through a little-used area where the route is easy to follow with very few intersections. It consists of a single track, climbing up a valley to the Col de Fontanieu. However, this adds 2 km to the hike and 50 m to the elevation gain. From the pass, the trail climbs to the foot of the cliff and follows it to reach the Fontanieu chimney. Then there is a long aerial traverse followed by a ridge crossing. From the summit of the Lance Sud de Malissard, the return is via the Col de Bellefont and the Col de la Saulce. 4/12/2023: Some sections may be closed (see practical information).

This is a loop trail that passes through the Grand Som and, to avoid the crowds, descends along the Arête de la Suiffière (a little exposed but easy), then joins the Col de Freney (and the forest) and, via a path with numerous hairpin bends, returns just above La Correrie, our starting point.

A magnificent hike that combines a natural section starting with a climb through the forest, continuing over the pleasant Pas de La Suiffière and then the easy but aerial ascent of the south ridge of the Grand Som, with a cultural section exploring the Monastère de la Grande Chartreuse, a veritable work of architectural art.

In the land of silence of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, an easy and very pleasant walk in all seasons.

A challenging hike that allows you to discover the most beautiful (and least known) landscapes around the summit of Chamechaude. The route includes a few fun climbs and descents, a very short off-trail section, a breach through a cliff, a spectacular couloir and an aerial sangle overlooking numerous chamois, a guaranteed spectacle for anyone aiming to reach the summit before midday. The route is far from the summer and Sunday crowds.

This is a short, unusual walk that follows the Alloix torrent. Curious walkers will spend more time admiring the work of the water than walking. This walk can end with a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the old village or, as the locals say, "on the paths of yesteryear", where local markings will guide you.

Une superbe boucle où l'on côtoie, cascades, tunnel naturel, grotte, pas d'escalade, vire aérienne, alpage avec pour couronner le tout, au long du parcours, de très beaux points de vue. Attention, ce parcours exposé n'est pas adapté aux personnes sujettes au vertige et n'ayant pas l'expérience de traversée aérienne et de pas d'escalade. A éviter impérativement par temps humide en raison des risques de glissade.

Short hike in the forest to discover the waterfalls of the Guiers Vif.

This small peak in the forest above Sappey-en-Chartreuse makes for a very pleasant outing in the forest. There are few views, except from the summit, which offers a beautiful panorama of the Belledonne massif, Chamechaude and the Dent de Crolles.

A hike with a variety of points of interest, including the beginnings of skiing, rural life with woodworking and alpine pastures, and the impressive cliffs of Chamechaude.

From Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, climb up to the ridges of Mont Saint-Eynard, which offer beautiful panoramic views of the Belledonne mountains, the Dent de Crolles and Chamechaude.

Loop between Prapoutel and Pipay, from the forest to the Balcon des Sept Laux trail, offering breathtaking views of the Chartreuse Massif and birds flying across the Belledonne sky. With a bit of luck, you may spot a bearded vulture, one of only four species of vulture in France, which is currently being reintroduced in the Alps.

A forest loop allows you to reach the Pont de la Betta, the starting point for a multitude of other hikes, while discovering the charming hamlet of Prabert and the magnificent Cascade des Avoux waterfall.

This is a beautiful, very easy walk through the forests surrounding Prapoutel, passing through various places such as the Pré de l'Arc and its holiday camp, the Gros Caillou, and the Chalet des Cortillets with its panoramic view of the Chartreuse Mountains and the Grésivaudan Valley.

A beautiful family walk in the heart of the Belledonne forest, starting from the Prapoutel resort (Les Sept Laux). This easy walk can be done via several routes and paths, all leading to Pré de l'Arc, where it is impossible to get lost thanks to the clear signposting.

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.

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).

This easy hike in summer becomes more difficult with the onset of winter conditions. A few centimetres of snow are enough to cover the markings on the ground and make it harder to progress on the steeper sections. This hike can be done in half a day from mid-November onwards, but don't set off after 2pm, otherwise you'll need a head torch for the return journey.

A classic hike in the heart of Belledonne, ending at one of the great lakes of Belledonne, outside the Sept Laux. Round trip hike.

A short hike to enjoy this geological feature: a flaming fountain.

Petit Som and Grand Som from Gîte à Rucher de la Ruchère.

Hike through forests and mountain pastures, passing by the summit of Petit Som.

This wild hike takes place in spectacular, uncrowded locations, with a good third of the route on a faint but obvious trail that presents no technical difficulties. There are many ibex and chamois as soon as you leave the marked trails, and it is easy to observe them if you set off early enough. A recommended alternative is to climb to the Pointe Centrale du Ferrouillet from the Col de la Brêche, which does not increase the difficulty (allow 30 minutes there and back).