The Charande Ridge from Autrans

Park in Autrans. This walk starts from the free roadside parking beside the roundabout on the D106c, which heads South East from the town towards Lans-en-Vercors. (Other parking is available, and to make the walk shorter, you could park at (1) Le Truc, but please note this is a quieter village and there is less parking available.)

(S/E) From the parking, walk to the roundabout, cross over and turn right. Walk to a junction and go right again to walk past the campsite. Follow the quiet road towards Le Truc. At the start of the village, go straight over a crossroads and walk into the centre of the village where there is a water trough, space for parking and signs for various walks.

(1) From Le Truc take the road heading North East (Route du Guinchet). As you walk look out for a track on your right and a sign.

(2) At the track/sign turn right and follow the track gently uphill towards the forest. As you enter the forest the track splits. Take the left hand track, which leads to a junction with the GRP (Tour des Quatre Montagnes). Go straight over to follow a track which slants Southwards uphill. After about 500m this track takes a sharp bend to the left and heads North. Shortly after this bend you will arrive at a Y junction.

(3) Take the left hand path. This section of the route is delightful as you leave the broad stony tracks and start walking, gently uphill, through the forest with occasional gaps in the trees for views across the valley. You will cross 4 stream beds before arriving at the forest road.

(4) At the road turn left and contour with some gentle up and down to arrive at the Refuge les Feneys.

(5) From the refuge keep walking along the road on the right (this will take you to la Moliere). Look out for a path in the pasture to your right, it looks like it has been made by animals, but you will then see signposts on a tree.

(6) Take this path, past the signage, and walk more steeply uphill to emerge on the ridge at Pas du Tracollet.

(7) At the pass, enjoy the first of the views across Grenoble. Then turn right and follow the ridge-top path Southwards. The path dips in and out of the trees, but you will be rewarded with great views across to St-Nizier-du-Moucherotte and the ridge of mountains from the Moucherotte and over Pic St-Michel Southwards. Remember the drop on your left is very steep, so don't get too close to the edge. Keep walking and you will soon arrive at the summit of Charande.

(8) From the summit keep walking Southwards, ignore a sign, descend and keep walking to the Pas de l'Ours.

(9) Keep walking Southwards, passing a viewpoint until you come to a signpost and junction with a path descending on your right (10) (If you are wearing shorts it might be best to descend this way as the route described in the paragraph below has a section on a path which is a little overgrown. You'll join the route at (13) by keeping to your left). Otherwise keep walking (past a concrete platform for an old/removed antenna) and to the Pas de Bellecombe.

(11) At the Pas de Bellecombe look out for a path on the right which slants back Northwards. Follow this path which quickly turns left and slants downhill. It crosses or goes under a fallen tree and arrives at a junction with another path. Turn right and walk along this path (overgrown and a little wet) to a junction with a better path (12). Turn right and walk along the path, contouring Bellecombe to a signpost and junction with the path descending from (10).

(13) Turn left and walk downhill to the forest road and information sign for the paragliding take-off and landing. (If you took the path from (9) to (13), after the left bend, do not turn left, take the right path at the Y-junction).

(14) Cross the road and take a path which slants downhill and brings you to a road-head

(15) Turn right and walk down the road to a signpost and path on the right.

(16) Turn right, follow the path over a bridge and keep walking along the path which drops to the stream. Turn left and walk up the cascade (which will most likely be dry in the summer).

(17) Turn back and follow the track to your left, which rejoins the road. Turn right onto the road and follow it to a junction. Take the right hand split and walk down to Le Truc and (1).

(1) From Le Truc, either walk back the way you first started the walk or, as shown on the GPS track, take the road on the left and walk out of the village towards the ski jump and luge. At the D106 turn right on the minor road which runs parallel and walk back to the parking. (S/E)

Clothing

In summer approach shoes with a good sole will be suitable for this walk. Consider long trousers for the section between (11) and (12) or wear walking trousers with legs that zip on and off.

The ridge can be windy, check the forecast for strength and direction before setting off.

Refreshments

The Refuge les Feneys is a delightful place to have a rest and refreshments. Although we did not eat here the food being served looked really good and plenty of other people were enjoying it.

Options to vary the walk

Once on the ridge, if you want to cut the walk short or get off quickly in bad weather you have a number of options

1. There is a path down on the right about halfway between Charande (8) and Pas de l'Ours (9). This will lead back to the forest road between (4) and (5). Cross over another path and follow the path down steeply via the zig zags.
2. At Pas de l'Ours (9) you can turn right, walk down to Les Chaumes and turn sharp right back to (4). Follow the gentle path down through the forest
3. At (10) and just before the concrete platform for the old antenna, there is a signpost and path down to (13), then follow the route as described.

Autrans is a lovely little town which is worth exploring.

On the D106e, heading South there is a micro distillery on the right which does it oven Gin and Genepi style liqueur. The regional products shop next door has a good selection to choose from and is popular.