Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont (Savoie) walks

Roche Veyrand is a peak that proudly dominates the two Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont villages. Its steep slopes have made it possible to equip a Via Ferrata. This route is a classic in the Entremonts: it climbs directly up a steep path close to the equipped cliff, then descends via a wide forest detour that takes you through several hamlets of Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont (Savoie).

A circular route around Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont via the Cirque de Saint-Même, returning via the Torrent du Cozon gorges. The views are magnificent all along the way, and you reach the cirque on foot, rather than by car, to see the first waterfall. The route is marked and well signposted with numerous signs.

Starting from Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont, the climb to the summit of Roche Veyrand is steady and at times steep, with sections secured by cables where you’ll need to use your hands, but there are no technical difficulties or vertiginous sections. The rest of the route is a pleasant walk, mainly through woodland, which takes you all the way round Roche Veyrand via the Col de la Cluse, then down into the Corbel valley before climbing back up via the Pas de la Coche to return to the starting point. Given the nature of the ascent, this walk is not recommended for novice walkers (IBP = 97).

This route winds its way between the two churches of Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont before slipping into the Cozon valley. It follows an ancient path, a haven of greenery and freshness where it is pleasant to walk with the family on hot summer days.

This circular walk exploring Château de Montbel is also a Randocroquis® route offering introductory art workshops: drawing techniques, contrasts, perspective and landscapes.

From Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, this beautiful walk leads to the source of the Guiers-Vif, follows the course of the torrent, passes through hamlets and reveals the large clearing of the Cirque de Saint-Même. The Cirque de Saint-Même is a very popular spot, attracting families in search of fresh air in the summer months. Hikers will find a little more freshness and tranquillity as they climb towards the Cascade du Guiers-Vif.

Around the two communes of Saint-Pierre d'Entremont, this walk covers the two departments of Savoie and Isère, exploring the architectural heritage and Carthusian landscapes. The most beautiful panorama can be seen from the esplanade of the Château du Gouvernement in Saint-Pierre d'Entremont (Isère).

Here is the guidebook for the longest ledge in Chartreuse and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful. It is a loop circuit that forms a figure 8. The west, slightly north-west orientation of this ledge leads me to recommend that you set off at the end of the morning and in this direction so that you can enjoy the most beautiful landscapes at the end of the afternoon. A much more complete description can be found in Pascal Sombardier's book "Les Randonnées du Vertige" (Vertigo Hikes).

Please note that this exposed route is not suitable for people who are prone to vertigo and have no experience of aerial crossings and climbing steps. It should not be attempted in wet weather due to the risk of slipping.This circular hike crosses the very aerial sangles of Fouda Blanc and Le Pinet, which, at over 3 km, is the longest in the Chartreuse. The Fouda Blanc sangle is slightly less exposed and busier than the Pinet. The latter is narrower, often grassy, slippery in wet weather, and has a few unstable earthy passages that must be crossed with caution. Access to this crossing is via the Varvats trail at Pas de l'Échelle. At the end of the ridges, you reach the summit of Pinet, also known as Truc, then the ridge trail joins Pas de Fouda Blanc, which you descend before crossing the Grotte à l'Échelle. The descent down a scree slope and then through the woods takes you back to the return path.GPX track required.

A hike of superlatives, combining the most beautiful landscapes of the Northern Chartreuse with four little-visited arches, as well as magnificent limestone formations including the Dromadaire, the Griffes and the Grotte de l’Ours. The route alternates between barely marked, idyllic paths, vertiginous ridges and vast sharp limestone pavements, and runs largely off the beaten track. This hike requires a good level of fitness; please read the warning in the practical information carefully.

A pleasant walk in the Hauts de Chartreuse nature reserve. Lost in the mountain pastures, the old boundary markers between Savoie and Dauphiné still look beautiful.

This circular allows you to take the longest route in the massif, linking the Sangle du Fouda Blanc and the Sangle du Pinet. The proposed return route allows you to visit the characteristic sites of the Pinet, which are its mushroom rocks and the arch of its sinkhole. Please note that this is a challenging route: you will be between two cliffs for about two hours, where missteps are not an option. Dry terrain is essential.

A lovely with snowshoes, with a beautiful view of the Alpine peaks at its height. Note that this hike can be done in all seasons.

Snowshoe route on a sunny slope in the Entremont valley. This route combines well-marked sections with others that are a little more open. In winter, this route is normally done on snowshoes. This was a snowshoe outing, but given the lack of snow at the end of January 2014, the snowshoes remained attached to our rucksacks.

A circular route between two villages in Chartreuse. This route's highest point is just over 1,000 metres, making it suitable for when temperatures have dropped. At these altitudes, the hand of man is often present in the villages and hamlets. You will encounter old dwellings, fountains, bread ovens... The route is well signposted.

The unique location of the village of Corbel has always required its inhabitants to manage their water resources carefully. Explore the village's ovens and fountains. Before running water arrived in 1989, each isolated house or hamlet depended on its own stone basin.

From the Cirque de Saint-Même and its waterfalls, across the Hauts de Chartreuse plateaus via 3 Pas to the Croix de l’Alpe (1,821 m).Stunning views. ⚠️ This route is partly unmarked, unmaintained and presents significant risks. Hikers undertake this route at their own risk. Please follow the official marked trails.

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

A superb circular walk featuring waterfalls, a natural tunnel, a cave, climbing sections, an exposed ledge and a mountain pasture, topped off with some stunning views throughout the route. ⚠️ Part of this route is unmarked, unmaintained and presents significant risks. Hikers undertake this route at their own risk. Please refer to the officially marked trails. ⚠️ The ‘Pas de la Mort’ between (5) and (9) is classified as dangerous and is strongly discouraged. See practical information. On all vertical sections, do not rely on the GPS track but follow the route description.

Hike to discover the sources of the Guiers Vif and the Crêtes du Grand Manti, among waterfalls, caves, cliffs and mountain pastures. Please note that this hike is vertiginous in some areas (Pas de la Mort) and is not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo or in wet weather.

The Cirque de Saint-Même is very busy in summer, with most visitors content to have a picnic on the meadows or follow the signposted route through the waterfalls. The short circular loop suggested here extends this route by taking in an additional waterfall and the Source du Guiers Vif, via the steep Pas Ruat pass with its astonishing passage beneath the rock face emerging in front of the Grotte du Guiers Vif. ⚠️ This route is partly unmarked, unmaintained and presents significant risks. Hikers undertake this route at their own risk. Please refer to the official marked trails. ⚠️ The footbridge leading to the Grotte du Guiers Vif (4) was damaged by a rockslide in July 2023: a mayoral order currently prohibits access.

A beautiful hike in Chartreuse that follows the route of the 120 hairpin bends to reach the Col du Frêt, before turning onto the Col de Bovinant. In the second half of June, the flora is in full bloom: St Bruno's lilies, martagon lilies, columbines, anemones, gentians...

A wilder approach to this iconic peak of the Grande Chartreuse, which will require some route finding to reach the starting point.

This intermediate peak in the Chartreuse is relatively unknown and therefore rarely visited, except by wildlife. The ascent takes place through woodland, and you must reach the cliff-top summit to enjoy a beautiful view of the Chartreuse peaks. The hike is suitable in all seasons, including on snowshoes in winter.

A short hike in the heart of the Entremonts, offering stunning views from the summit and passing through beautiful meadows dotted with traditional old barns on the way back.

A circular route starting from Col de la Cluse (1170m), combining a wild route on the way there and a classic trail on the way back. This outing is not very difficult, but can be a little physically demanding at times when you have to break trail in 40cm of powder snow.

La Cochette in Chartreuse (1,618 m) is an easily accessible peak.

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).

A magnificent route around Entremont-le-Vieux with splendid panoramic views of the Chartreuse massif, this moderately difficult hike will be a delight for landscape lovers and photographers. This hike is also available at tourist offices, offered by Chartreuse Tourisme

Take a stroll along the Cozon torrent and enjoy a refreshing break in this lively corner of the Chartreuse. Cultural visits and relaxation will round off the day.

Starting from the small downhill ski slopes of the Désert d'Entremont, this is a very accessible walk offering two beautiful views of the Chartreuse massif, both from the foot of Mont Outhéran and from Pointe de la Cochette, the latter being the most spectacular. The ascents and descents take place in the shade of the woods and forests, offering a beautiful panorama of the Chartreuse massif. Unbeatable value for money!

Mont Outheran is a long plateau stretching nearly 4 km, running roughly north-south between Col du Planet (1,184 m) and Col du Grapillon (1,509 m). It is a rather wild area, and for good reason: access via the Pas du Cuert is not the easiest, and the descent to the Col du Mollard requires the utmost caution. Warning: For those prone to vertigo, please read the wpt description carefully (2)

La montée emprunte le parcours le plus fréquenté de l'accès au Granier, celui par le Col de l'Alpette et le Pas des Barres. La descente par le Pas de Tancovaz reste beaucoup plus secrète, la désescalade de deux étroitures nécessitant une certaine agilité doublée d'un bon sens d'orientation dans la descente hors sentier d'un pierrier pentu. Mais ces difficultés font tout le charme de ce retour atypique.

A short mountain hike leading to an exceptional viewpoint.

This is a snowshoe hike with no specific markings for this activity; however, theGR® 9 markings do exist, though they are less visible in winter conditions The appeal of this hike lies not in the markings but rather in the atmosphere you experience along the route across the plateau.

A beautiful loop in the northern Chartreuse with magnificent 360° views of the Alps.

Le Pinet is a viewpoint overlooking Les Entremonts. Less frequented than its neighbour, Le Granier, it is just as much a part of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve and its access via the normal route is well suited to families, with a few variations possible.

From the small hamlet of La Plagne, summit of Le Pinet (1,867m), beautiful view to the west, then summit of La Croix de l'Alpe (1,821m) via the Chalets de l'Alpe.

Very pretty hike in the foothills of Granier. At the summit, there is a large plateau ideal for picnics, with views of the surrounding peaks and Mont Blanc in good weather. An easy family walk, done with a 3½-year-old girl who is used to walking, as it is quite steep.

In the heart of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve, the majestic Mont Granier welcomes you. Although the cross is inaccessible for safety reasons, this hike reveals astonishing geology and remarkable biodiversity.

This is a lovely, easy snowshoe walk, mainly through forest. The Col de la Ruchère, at the foot of the Petit Som, is a truly beautiful part of the Chartreuse.

This route mainly follows the snowshoe trails maintained by the Ruchère Nordic ski centre, allowing for a quick pace; snowshoes are only really necessary between (2) and (3). As over 90% of the route is groomed, the first few kilometres around the centre are generally quite busy. The route can be walked during the summer season.

A lovely circular route taking in two peaks, across a wide variety of terrain. You’ll encounter woodland, scree slopes, rocky outcrops and mountain pastures.

Climb to the summit of Petit Som from La Ruchère. You will enjoy a 360° view and may also encounter marmots and chamois.

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 beautiful snowshoe hike on the edge of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, accompanied by the legendary peaks of Grand Som and Chamechaude. Choose a sunny day after a snowfall.

A superb circular route, offering great variety in terms of terrain and sublime panoramic views. Two sections require mountain-walking skills: the chimney (take care not to dislodge any rocks) leading up to the Petit Som ridge, and the Pas du Loup, which can be tricky (a rope may provide reassurance for less experienced walkers, depending on the day’s conditions).

A peaceful hike from La Ruchère, at the foot of the Grand and Petit Som, along the paths of the haberts (shepherds' shelters). Autumn is a particularly good time to visit, with the colours of the beech trees and the sun flooding the few meadows you cross: Billon, Arpison, etc. Be careful at the end of the route, however, as there is a slightly steep path that may slow down inexperienced hikers (or in specific conditions, such as snow, rain, fallen trees, etc.). See comments.

A lovely circular route in the Désert d’Entremont Nordic ski resort.

A mountain bike tour of Mont Outheran via the Col du Mollard, Col du Planet and Col du Grapillon, allowing you to explore its different sides with relatively limited elevation changes as the route never descends very far down.

A beautiful hike to be done with or without snowshoes.

A snowshoe circuit in the Entremonts valley. It is a loop alternating between ascents and descents, passages through forests and mountain pastures, shady slopes and sunny slopes, crossing the hamlet of Grand Carroz with its few houses.

From a distance, Mont Outherand looks like a fortress, with several gaps in the limestone walls of the fort. Near the Col du Mollard, a steep path allows attackers to overcome the fort's defences.

A lovely, short but scenic walk, featuring numerous viewpoints and an interesting section: the Pas du Cuert.

Rather than heading off to see the Grottes des Échelles and the Voie Sardes, I suggest heading to the Gerbaix viewpoint, setting off from the picturesque little hamlet of Côte Barrier through woodland and mountain pastures, with lovely scenery and impressive views.