The Mont Grêle lookout point and Archelle’s summit.
Mont Grêle is a peak that is visible from the valley of Chambéry and the Aiguebelette region.
It is easily spotted thanks to or because of the pylons that are installed at the top. Up close, these towers have still look great, but they do not alone justify the purpose of the tour, which is interesting because it offers views over Lake Aiguebelette and Chartreuse.
Calculated time: 6h35[?] 
Distance : 14.38 km
Vertical gain : 870 m
Vertical drop : 870 m
Highest point : 1,425 m
Lowest point : 603 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas : Jura mountains, Alps 
Location : Attignat-Oncin
(73610)
Starting point : N 45.506381° / E 5.777608° 
Today's forecast :
Head to the commune of Attignat-Oncin and park in the cemetery car park (S).
From the car park go up the asphalt road to the hamlet of La Fauchère, cross though and reach the reservoirs (1) visible from above the hamlet.
Take the path, marked by a wooden sign, that rises sharply to the Rousse climbing 960 m in 45 minutes.
Cross the track and take the path slightly above (2). Always following the yellow signs, take the trail slopes in segments to reach 1360 m altitude at the “Sommet de l’Archelle" in 1 hour 45 minutes from the start and a 750 m drop (3).
As the viewpoint has disappeared, head north by the ridge trail to the Mont Grêle lookout point (1410 m), this 1.8 km trail has had 1/3 of its length gouged out by logging traffic. (4) The lookout point can be reached in 40 minutes and there is some information explaining the formation of the Épine massif and Aiguebelette lake, a nice view over Chartreuse and the two lakes.
Return to Archelle (3), and then pass through grazing fallow land and enjoy the views of the Chartreuse mountains especially Grand Som and Petit Som that can be seen nearby.
The downhill trail (5) the Chemin de la Pissoire is well marked, it indicates a two hour walk and Attignat-Oncin 5.9 km away by foot.
This grassy path quickly becomes a more difficult, furrowed at one part and gouged by 4x4 vehicles at another..
At 1170 m of altitude, “Chemin de la Pissoire" heads in the direction of the Pissoire falls (6). It's a steep and slippery path that will follow and cross the Pissoire stream at a small waterfall.
Reach a forest road (7), leaving it three loops in the road later (8) to rejoin first the trail and then the path, both following the course of the Pissoire stream, leading to Gerbezet (9) (630 m). From there, follow the GR9 following the first road and a path that goes along and across meadows. It will cross the Merderet stream (10) and, soon after, reach a small road down the left (11), then take the higher road right (12) to the village and car park (F).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 619 m
1 : km 0.95 - alt. 741 m - The Fauchère reservoir
2 : km 1.85 - alt. 963 m - Cross and head up the path
3 : km 3.7 - alt. 1,361 m - L'Arcelle
4 : km 5.25 - alt. 1,419 m - Mont Grelle (1425m)
5 : km 6.01 - alt. 1,365 m - Lookout point
6 : km 8.73 - alt. 1,310 m - Chemin de la Pissoire
7 : km 9.83 - alt. 1,175 m - In the direction of the Pissoire falls
8 : km 11.53 - alt. 829 m - The path along the Pissoire stream
9 : km 12.83 - alt. 619 m - Gerbezet
10 : km 13.66 - alt. 608 m - Take the road to the right
D/A : km 14.38 - alt. 618 m
The high points of this hike can also be reached via:
Aiguebelette, la Bauche, Saint Thibault de Couz and Simons hamlet, Saint Sulpice and the Michetons hamlet, following the trail that leads up to the Saint Michel pass.
Walking shoes required.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Aiguebelette lake.
Chambéry.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 2
Clarity of route description : 4.5/5
Clarity of route map : 4/5
Walk interest : 3.5/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 21/09/19
Clarity of route description
: Very good
Clarity of route map
: Good
Walk interest
: Average
The circuit around Mont Grêle starts by a continuous ascent of 750m up to the first view point. Mainly in the forest, this ascent lacks other viewpoints and does not alternate with descents. It is not as satisfactory as it could be. Then, close to the top, the landscape changes, you can see rocks, other trees and then a beautiful panorama over Aiguebelette lake and the surrounding area.
We were 20 people and some of us were tired, we stopped at the first viewpoint and then went to the right towards La Pissoire. The route back was easier, not so steep, the forest a bit more clear and you could see more things on the way. The waterfall is lovely, tall, definitely worth a visit.
Then DO FOLLOW the trail close to the water stream, otherwise you're tempted to follow the asphalt road which is a long descent that adds fatigue to your knees and feet.
All in all a nice walk, too bad we did not go all the way to the top of the mountain. Trekking poles might help.
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/08/19
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
A wonderful walk that takes you to the top of the Mont Grêle, where you are rewarded with a magnificent view over the area. The description and routemap are clear, and the walk took us about 6 hours in total (and we are not really experienced, we just did the walk on sneakers).
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+1,639 m
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Difficult
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+76 m
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+339 m
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
