Saint-Laurent-du-Pont walks

The Fourvoirie site marks one of the entrances to the Chartreuse Desert. One of the bridges, built in the 13th century, gave its name to the village of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. On the right bank of the Guiers Mort, the Carthusians once started a major metallurgical industry, which continues today in the Saint-Laurent plain. On the other bank, the monks established a distillery, which was destroyed by a landslide in 1935.

This circular walk is a variation on route no. 107635379, the Grande Sure, a return walk from Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. The ascent to the summit of the Grande Sure is the same, but this route differs in its return leg, which starts from the Col de la Sure, from where the path leads to the Col des Charmilles, descends the opposite slope, then crosses the Rochers des Agneaux before hurtling down a steep cirque and joining the Route Forestière de la Charmette, which leads to the magnificent Chartreuse de Currière. This route offers the advantage of a different return journey with a similar elevation gain, despite being 2.8 km longer, but has the disadvantage of ending on a road.

A lovely, shaded hike along steep slopes through the forest, passing through a cirque notable for its scree of dazzlingly white limestone. As you emerge from the forest, a superb view opens up over a grassy valley dotted with a few wooded areas and nestled between imposing rocky ridges. From the summit, you’ll enjoy a magnificent 360° panorama: to the east, from Mont Blanc to the Écrins via Belledonne and the Grandes Rousses; to the south, the Vercors; to the west, the Dauphiné Mountains; and to the north, the Chartreuse.

Situated in the Chartreuse Massif, the Belvédère de None, following a long climb, offers a magnificent and breathtaking view over Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, the road linking Voiron and Chambéry and, in the distance, the Miribel Massif and the Pays Voironnais.

There are numerous crosses in the area around Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. Here is a suggested route starting from the main church to see as many of them as possible, mainly in the plain.

This short 1½-hour walk is suitable for families.An artistic discovery route: all along the route, you can admire and discover works of art set against the backdrop of the old Sardinian road.

In Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, there is a 6 km flat walk along a wetland discovery trail.

This circular can be done in almost any season (except after storms or heavy rain) and allows you to discover some lesser-known parts of Chartreuse.

Explore the western part of the Herrétang peat bogs from its observation points, after following the cycle path uphill towards the Rocher de la Garde to enjoy its 360° panorama.

Another way to reach the summit of the Grande Sure. Most hikers from the Grenoble area access it via Proveysieux and the Col de la Charmette. For those coming from the Savoyard hinterland, access via Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and the Chartreuse de Curière is an interesting alternative. From the start at (5), the route is not very busy.

A varied but relatively long route up to the Grande Sure, favouring sections that are slightly steeper but above all wilder and less frequented than the usual routes: Pas de la Biche and Crête des Charmilles.

A lovely hike, mainly through the woods, allowing you to discover the Chartreuse de Currière, a little-known monastery, and enjoy beautiful views of the Chartreuse from the ridges.

A beautiful, long circular route at moderate altitude, with exposed sections that can be slippery. Start directly below the Rocher du Quartier and climb via Tramoley, passing the Saint-André fir tree to the Col de la Sarriette, then cross the Plateau de la Ruchère before descending via the postman’s path beneath the Pointe du Frou.

A very beautiful circular with views to the west, south and east. Remains at altitude throughout. Breathtaking view of the Grande Chartreuse monastery from the summit of Aliénard. A very quiet route with beautiful trails.

A beautiful circular on good trails and forest paths that passes by the two viewpoints of Pertuis and Arpison. This high-altitude route begins with a descent and ends with a descent.

Short family hike with a climb to Le Petit Som: 360° views, marmots and chamois.

Two stunning panoramic views in the heart of the Chartreuse, a well-balanced walk combining fairly steep sections with pastures and beautiful forests.

A short hike around the Guiers Mort, a pretty little stream. The walk is mainly through the undergrowth at the bottom of the gorges along the Guiers, in search of coolness, with several opportunities to take a dip. - User report on 24 August 2023: The trail is currently closed for works from 14 August to 30 November 2023 (the "blasting" sign is very dissuasive). Access from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse by car is also closed (long detour via Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont).

A walk along the Guiers Mort with small bridges and footbridges, also known as the ‘Balade des poissons bleus’. From the Pont Saint-Bruno to the Pic de l’Œillette, you can discover the legacy of the Carthusian monks. ⚠️ User comment>The route is currently (14/07/2026) closed for safety reasons. It features footbridges in poor condition, which could cause an accident. However, it is very popular for its refreshing atmosphere during heatwaves. Please check with the St Pierre de Chartreuse tourist office.

A lovely circular route through little-known and little-visited parts of the Chartreuse, following old paths… which, sadly, are sometimes on the verge of disappearing.

The Pic de l’Oeillette is a rocky monolith on the edge of the road between Saint-Laurent-du-Pont and Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. There is no question of climbing it here; it serves merely as a visual landmark for a leisurely walk along the banks of the Guiers Mort. Accessible outside the snowmelt season, it offers a welcome respite from the heat in summer.

A short, quick walk at the foot of the Ruchère cliff, along a narrow path that climbs steadily and crosses the Chemin des Bœufs, which you’ll take on the way down. This leads to the impressive Pierre de Onze Heures and the Barthélemy Fountain, which is always flowing, along a path that runs entirely through the forest.

The Col des Mille Martyrs is a road pass well known to cyclists, but hikers are also familiar with it, as there are many paths criss-crossing the area. The proposed walk takes place in a landscape of pastures and forests to the west of the Chartreuse Massif, offering panoramic views of the mountains.

Set off to explore the geological features in the forest above Miribel-les-Échelles, heading towards the Col des Mille Martyrs. Numerous crosses – some recent, others ancient and steeped in history – dot this route. In other open areas, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Chartreuse mountains and the plain stretching towards Les Échelles and Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. To avoid roads as much as possible, you’ll take certain paths deep within the forest that aren’t always shown on the IGN map.

This circular forest route, dotted with natural attractions and historic buildings, also offers, after a short round trip, a lovely view of the Grande Sure. A booklet dedicated to the heritage along this route is available.

This circular forest loop is accessible in all seasons, even in snow, and takes you through several areas of the Miribel, Saint-Aupre and Rocharey forests, crossing two medium-altitude passes, the Mille Martyrs and the Pilori. You can also enjoy some unobstructed views along the route.

Here is a gentle stroll that will delight young and old alike in a very pleasant forest.

This route takes you through the lands of Béatrice of Savoy. From the commandery to the panoramic viewpoint at the Chapelle de la Madeleine, you’ll have the chance to discover the rich history of Les Échelles.

A beautiful classic summer circular route in the Chartreuse, passing through several historic passes and mountain pastures and their huts. Most of the route follows good paths through forest or open mountain pastures. Warning: a tricky section to be attempted only when the snow is stable.

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

A beautiful hike through forests and valleys, ideal for warm weather but also in mixed or stormy conditions, as there are several options to shorten the route in case of bad weather. Haberts (shepherds’ and herdsmen’s huts), stunning scenery, a pass and several viewpoints overlooking the Grande Chartreuse Monastery. There is a short stretch of tarmac at the end, which is unavoidable but very quiet with few cars.

Here is a version of the snowshoe route over the Aliénard, Tracol and Ruchère passes, which can be varied in many ways. This is undoubtedly the longest route as it stretches to Chartroussette and covers undulating terrain that remains safe in the event of avalanche risk and is therefore well suited to snowshoeing.

La Chartreuse is full of haberts, large alpine huts where shepherds live in summer whilst the flocks graze there. This circular route takes you past two of them: Chartrousette and Le Billon.

A pleasant walk in the woods overlooking the village of Les Échelles in Savoie.

Situated on the outskirts of Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière, the Pisserotte Waterfall plunges at full speed down from the Grande Sure mountain. It offers an easy, family-friendly walk to the foot of the waterfall. Nestled in the mountainside, it is a cool haven and a peaceful, relaxing spot. This 64-metre-high waterfall is easily accessible via a 15-minute walk. It is particularly impressive in March and April, when the snowmelt results in a strong flow of water.

A climb to one of the peaks of the Chartreuse, the Petit Som, starting from the car park at the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse, La Correrie. An unusual route to the Petit Som via the rear of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, Notre-Dame de Casalibus, the Saint-Bruno Chapel, the Habert de Bovinant and the Col de Léchaud. The descent towards Sous le Petit Som avoids the Pas de Loup by taking the ‘cheminée’ route. You then reach the Col de la Ruchère before descending towards Habert Billon, the reservoir and the Grande Chartreuse Monastery.

A lovely route in Chartreuse in an area famous for its monastery. It is very popular, but there is room for everyone. There are no markings between Pont des Allemands and Habert de Billon.

This walk through the woods is very pleasant in warm weather, with a beautiful view from the belvedere over the Grande Chartreuse Monastery and the surrounding peaks. The difference in altitude, the sometimes narrow path, the balcony-like terrain and the untimely opening of forestry tracks make the return journey difficult. Please read the recommendations carefully at (6).

The appeal of this route lies in the challenging hike via the Pas de la Suiffère (ascending, which is much more pleasant), the chance to see the Grande Chartreuse Monastery early in the day, and finishing the hike with a beautiful sunset at the Petit Som, returning to the starting point by headlamp. With some stunning views in store, this is definitely a hike not to be missed.

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.

Day hike with picnic at the Col de Léchaud. Climb through magnificent forest to Habert de Bovinant, Col de Bovinant, Col de Léchaud, Petit Som, return via Pas du Loup, Col de La Ruchère, Habert de Billon and the Grande Chartreuse monastery. Splendid 360° view from the top of Petit Som, including Mont Blanc.

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 beautiful classic circular in Chartreuse, starting from La Correrie via Habert de Billon, Col de la Ruchère and finally Notre-Dame de Casalibus.

A contemplative hike in the quiet zone of the Chartreuse Desert, following in the footsteps of Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order. The site is perfect for meditation. It offers a stunning view of the peaks of the Grand and Petit Som.