The "Aulp du Seuil"
The "Passage de l'Aulp du Seuil" ("Aulp du Seuil" passing): this hike is one of the most beautiful hikes of the Chartreuse massif.
Technical sheet No. 4098734
Calculated time: 4h40 ? 
Distance : 7.94 km
Vertical gain : 832 m
Vertical drop : 826 m
Highest point : 1,830 m
Lowest point : 1,060 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas :
Alps
, Chartreuse
, Dauphiné
Location : Saint-Bernard (Isère)
(38660) 
Starting point : N 45.355105° / E 5.918259° 
Today's forecast :
Description
Start point: car park at the "Col de Marcieu", located in the village of Saint Bernard du Touvet, in the Chartreuse massif.
Over approximately 400m take the small paved road towards Saint-Hilaire du Touvet situated 100m on the right after the pass- signs posted midway in front of the housing estate. At the end of the road, a trail heads North (gate) deeper into a wooded area; after a large loop on the left, take the path heading North on the right, cross the ski slopes and the ski lift. You get to a forest path, passing another trail and reaching screes (start of a short steep climb) topped by a fir plantation (check landmarks for the return route).
After a long walk in the South-West direction, and some twists in the forest, the path reaches a little clearing (place called "L'Alpette", altitude 1458m) which offers a breath-taking view on the vast rocky cirque where you can notice the upward path. You quickly reach the bottom of the cliff and the trail goes upward towards the cirque then climb large carved steps protected by barriers and other wooden poles for most of the path.
At the top of the cirque, a horizontal trail under a rocky canopy brings you to the Cross marking the passage, after bypassing one last mountain spur.
Take the same route back.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1,060 m - Col de Marcieu
1 : km 0.46 - alt. 1,091 m
2 : km 1.54 - alt. 1,219 m
3 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,436 m
D/A : km 7.94 - alt. 1,060 m
Useful Information
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
From the summit (Altitude 1830m), astounding views from the "Chaine de Belledonne" to the "Mont Blanc" and on the alpine mountain pastures ("Aulp") of the "Vallon de Marcieu", finishing by the "Col de Bellefond" and the forest ("Forêt du Seuil"), all boarded by the "Lances de Malissard" and "L'Alpette" ridges.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.