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

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 824 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 824 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,828 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,064 m

Photos

Description of the walk

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

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,064 m - Parking du > - Col de Marcieu
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 1,096 m - Carrefour barrière
  3. 2 : km 1.54 - alt. 1,224 m - South West Division
  4. 3 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,444 m - L'Alpette
  5. S/E : km 7.94 - alt. 1,064 m - Parking Col de Marcieu

In the nearby area

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 73 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Jeepers38
Jeepers38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

We continued the hike to the radio relay station. It took an extra half hour, but we were rewarded with a 360° panorama. It was a bit disappointing because the weather was foggy over Belledonne, so we couldn't see Mont Blanc.
It's best to wear good shoes and bring walking sticks for the descent, at least until you reach the forest.

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User 25990532

yes, I agree

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User 25990532

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : N/A
Busy trail : No

With regard to the application, parish specific to Brittany, it's very unstable and very difficult to understand, with images all over the place, so I didn't understand anything. It's a very reliable route but the application is very poorly trained.

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User 12461901

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very well described walk. It took me 2 hours to get up to the top, so I continued on to the chalet (which added a bit of elevation gain), but there was more wind in the meadow, so I went back up to the Aup du seuil cross for a picnic. Superb views of the Malissard lances and the Bellefond Belledonne pass, the Gresivaudan valley and, of course, Mont Blanc. However, there were a lot of people from 12:30 onwards. Then a careful descent with high boots and poles to avoid being caught out by the stones that roll under your shoes 👟 Don't go up too late as the last section is very exposed to the sun.

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Keyser
Keyser

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk (done at the end of November in the snow). Quite a steep but pleasant climb (remember to turn around or look up from time to time). Arrival at the summit with magnificent views (to be done on a clear day). Take time to appreciate the lances of Malissard and the Marcieu valley behind you. The descent is, of course, just as steep as the ascent (watch out for stinging knees). Thank you for making this route available.

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Rosane
Rosane

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk with a splendid view.
Done the day before the icare cup. The descent through the gravel and stones is not the easiest.

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PATS
PATS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The route is steep but even, with a large section in the shade.

The view from the summit is beautiful.

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Jocelyne P.
Jocelyne P.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great outing despite the steepness of the route. Glad to get to the top, after passing the foot of the rocks, with a magnificent view of the Marcieu valley where we had a picnic with our group. Thank you for this route.

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M13I9C3H8
M13I9C3H8

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A great warm-up for the summer. On the way back I took the ski slopes.

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Miscarofraco
Miscarofraco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An interesting walk with a magnificent view of the valley below Les Lances de Malissard and a fine view of the Belledonne mountain range.

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Adrien Usseglio
Adrien Usseglio
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk, takes 1 hour 20 minutes to climb to the top, very beautiful plateau.
I would recommend

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Sheryo
Sheryo
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant hike with a dazzling finish, but to say that it's one of the most beautiful in the Chartreuse is a bit of a stretch.

The ascent on a stony path is monotonous, continuous and of little interest, but it's when you enter the sort of cirque that it becomes interesting.

1hr45 for the ascent, a little less for the descent (which hurts my knees 😁 ).

The few thoughts in the comments about the fencing and barbed wire along the route are lunatic.

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ght17
ght17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike done with 2 children in fine weather. Not recommended for children in case of frost (some passages can be dangerous).

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Séb Meunier
Séb Meunier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy trail and steady climb. Beautiful views along the summit ridge.
A few hikers despite a weekday with an 8.30am start from the car park, probably due to the school holidays. Apparently very popular at weekends.

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MarIoun
MarIoun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice little hike, quite a few people. Nice view of the Belledone at the summit.

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