The Grand Rocher and the Crêt du Poulet

A stone's throw from town and you're high in the mountains. But pay attention to the risks.

Technical sheet

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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.57 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 6 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 496 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 489 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,910 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,414 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the Foyer de Ski de Fond du Barioz ((cross-country skiing centre), go in a westerly direction along the almost-flat road and stay on it for about 300 meters.

(1) Climb to the left on the forest trail, which you can leave to take shortcuts. Reach the Pierre Roubet chalet on the left after a large loop.

(2) Fork to the right. You can't go straight ahead because there is a :risk of avalanche::. Climb the more-or-less wooded slope until you reach the ridge.

(3) Turn right and go along the ridge on the GRP: "Balcon des 7 Laux" - "Tour du Pays d'Allevard". Reach the Grand Rocher.

(4) Turn around on a parallel path and after some distance reach point (3) Continue straight ahead and pass under the Crêt Luisard.

(5) Continue northeast on relatively flat path until the refuge of the Crêt du Poulet.

(6) Leave in a south-westerly direction on an initially flat path but which descends gradually. Cross the ski tracks to find a trail that starts to the right.

(7) Descend to the right on this trail. N.B. Access to the trail ahead is prohibited as it is (exposed to avalanches).

(8) Continue right to descend on leisurely switchbacks through the forest and finally reach the Foyer de Ski de Fond du Barioz (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,414 m - Foyer de fond du Barioz
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 1,426 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.17 - alt. 1,568 m - Chalet de Pierre Roubet
  4. 3 : km 1.92 - alt. 1,771 m - Carrefour GRP
  5. 4 : km 3.4 - alt. 1,910 m - Le Grand Rocher
  6. 5 : km 5.14 - alt. 1,768 m - Cret Luisard
  7. 6 : km 6.56 - alt. 1,694 m - Refuge le Crêt du Poulet
  8. 7 : km 7.63 - alt. 1,603 m - Carrefour descent
  9. 8 : km 8.11 - alt. 1,530 m - Forest
  10. S/E : km 8.57 - alt. 1,421 m - Foyer de ski de fond du Barioz

Practical information

In winter, when leaving the Foyer de Ski de Fond, you'll be required to pay a fee of €2 (to cover the cost of creating snowshoe trails), also allowing you a free drink.
In winter, when you reach the ridges, do not approach the edge because cornices form and there is therefore a risk of falling.
Between points(2) and(7) there is a path(absolutely forbidden because of the risk of avalanche).
This hike can also be enjoyed in the summer.

In the nearby area

Above the refuge of the Crêt du Poulet(6) (5mins away), there is an orientation table.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
JP et D
JP et D

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We made one change at the start. We took the snowshoe trail i.diquant ladestinatio. Cret du poulet through the forest. We passed by a small lake at the edge of the forest. We shot straight across the field to rejoin the route described at the Roubet farm.
To get back to level 7 at this time of year, the path is very muddy because of the melting snow. Advice: either continue along the cross-country ski trail or go straight on towards the Roubet farm and down the path taken from the driveway.

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Lioneldu69
Lioneldu69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Missed the fork to the ridge at point 2 ... so looped around the refuge ... very nice circuit with quite a few people (cross-country skiing competition).
Do it again

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DANIEL38119
DANIEL38119
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Snowshoe hikes

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P@trick
P@trick

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

nice hike but very crowded

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Capucine S
Capucine S

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The tour was as enjoyable as ever, with magnificent views... and there were several groups of young schoolchildren there that day... from Grenoble's disadvantaged neighbourhoods. They were a bit noisy, but it's good that they're introduced to the pleasures and respect of the mountains from an early age!

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BOUSSARD Daniel
BOUSSARD Daniel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A must-do. Breathtaking alpine scenery, ideal trails, perfect signposting... and exceptional weather! A must-do. "The stopover at the Crêt du Poulet refuge is the icing on the cake.

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ANMATROM
ANMATROM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This tour is always magnificent. The views are breathtaking.

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Claude38
Claude38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A superb little hike! A bit of a climb at the start but it's all in good fun! A really good time. Thank you for this wonderful discovery

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VCANET
VCANET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

There was still snow at the Barioz foyer, but it was thin and soft, so we started with boots.
Good snow from the Pierre Roubet chalet: we put on snowshoes.
On the way back, we took off our snowshoes at point 7 and finished in boots.
Beautiful view from the Grand Rocher.
Station closed: no fee (or mulled wine!)
The 6 a.m. timetable is generous: 5.15 a.m. seems sufficient.

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Paul GARILLON
Paul GARILLON

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful snowshoe hike in ideal conditions, with a magnificent 360° view from the summit.
Among the many tracks on the way up, ignore the "Petite Forêt" sign on the right that leads back to the car park.
(8) Please note that some sections were covered in white ice due to poor snow conditions.
The fee is €2.50, and a hot drink (wine or lemonade) can be consumed at the refuge or at the cross-country skiing hostel.
The 6-hour hike should be understood to include breaks and a diversion to the 2 orientation tables above the refuge, although it's a shame one of them is almost illegible.

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030753am
030753am

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

very nice shady hike at the start, then a bit of climbing in full sun, but the reward is very beautiful panoramas and at the Grand Rocher a total 360° view.

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dolcevito
dolcevito

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I recommend this tour on snowshoes in good weather, as the views are magnificent.

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Jeepers38
Jeepers38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

From the Grand Rocher, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Belledonne range.
On the way back, the loop via Le Levant is very interesting.

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noisettes
noisettes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful snowshoe hike in glorious sunshine.
Check out the orientation tables at the crêt du poulet, which give directions in 2 different directions.
Great views of the crests, do it again in summer.

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RitonRandonneur
RitonRandonneur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Belle ballade malheureusement il devait faire beau et en haut le temps était gris toute la journée dommage mais bon je l'avais déja fait avec d'autres amis et le soleil était de la parti ce qui nous avaient permis d'avoir de belles vues au grand rocher
et tout le long de la ballade Merci a l'auteur

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