The ridges of Mont Fromage from Col de Porte

A very pleasant hike, described here snowshoe users, but also good for walks on sunny days.

Technical sheet

n°203565

Creation:
22 Jan 2016

Last update:
23 Mar 2016

Last review:
14 May 2025

Activity: Snowshoeing
Distance: 10.28 km
Duration according to author: 4 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 411 m
Vertical drop: - 410 m
Highest point: 1,693 m
Lowest point: 1,310 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Chartreuse, Dauphiné
District: Sarcenas (38700)
Start/End: N 45.293763° / E 5.76618°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3334OT, 3334OTR
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Col de Porte.

(S/F) Take the road to the Charmant Som cottages (D57E) following north-west then north. In winter the road is closed to traffic.

(1) Shortly before the Orgeval chapel, leave the road and turn left (south-west) onto the Tour de Chartreuse GRP along the ridges (Yellow and Red markings).

(2) Pass above the (closed) Charmant Som chairlift and continue over the ridges.

(3) Pass Mont Fromage and continue on the ridges.

(4) At the crossroads, leave the ridge (that would take us to the Pinéa) and turn left towards the Col de Porte. Shortly after, the road makes a hairpin left turn. Continue, passing a path on the right and follow the path that goes down gently through the woods to the Col de Porte (S/F).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,328 m - Col de Porte
1 : km 4.19 - alt. 1,641 m - Oratory of Orgeval
2 : km 5.14 - alt. 1,664 m - Top of the Charmant Som chairlift
3 : km 6.17 - alt. 1,654 m - Mount Fromage
4 : km 7.07 - alt. 1,614 m - At the crossroads, turn left
S/E : km 10.28 - alt. 1,329 m - Col de Porte

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.4 / 5

sylvie couriol

May 14, 2025 at 05:31 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did the circuit in the opposite direction, and we were right to do so as the terrain was very muddy and slippery and it would have been more complicated on the descent.
We weren't able to enjoy the view as the sky was too overcast... so we'll have to do it again, as the whole ridge is very pleasant.

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Hélène T

Jan 06, 2025 at 13:29 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful walk, easily accessible by bus and for walkers of average ability. The path climbs a moderate slope before reaching a ridge and then descending a steeper slope. There are magnificent views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne peaks. Accessible with crampons. I wanted to go as far as La Pinea but the path was not visible and very snowy. Several people tried, but all turned back. I didn't see anyone try snowshoeing from below the Pinea to the summit. The path is well trodden but the walkers are fairly far apart.

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AudelineB

Jan 30, 2024 at 14:46 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice little winter hike, with lots of snow (it was 3 Jan 24) but quite practicable without snowshoes.

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Genestout

Feb 18, 2023 at 11:33 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hike with a detour via La Pinéa (you need to take off your snowshoes)
Route taken in the opposite direction, the road seems shorter
Very/very busy on weekends

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Leonarius Nomada

Feb 16, 2023 at 08:29 EST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

We start out on the ski touring slopes, in the shade and on a steep incline. Not the most pleasant.
But the second part is really nice, in the woods and on the ridges with magnificent views.
We cut off at the end on the advice of a hiker.

To make it easier, do the circuit in the opposite direction.

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odettounette

Jan 24, 2022 at 02:41 EST

Hello,

Beautiful sunny day and lots of cars in the car parks!

So we couldn't find anywhere to park, so we went back down to Le Sappey for another snowshoe trail!

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AH65

Jan 17, 2022 at 12:43 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Fog at the Col de Porte, but superb views after 1 hour's walk, once the sea of cloud had passed. At the end of the morning, we climbed up by road, with few people, a few more at the Oratoire de St Hugues, and almost no one on the ridge towards La Pinéa. For those who want to shorten the trip, it seems possible to return to the road via a track before the small pass at La Pinéa.

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Dominol

Jan 12, 2021 at 00:44 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I've done this walk every year, but always in the opposite direction (a direction I recommend, as do others).
Despite the bright sunshine, very few people on the way up (during the week but early in the morning) but many, many on the road on the way down.
Beautiful views, especially from Montfromage.
As the road is the least interesting part, taking it on the way down shortens the trip; otherwise a path joins the Col de Porte from Montfromage, but it's not the same route.

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migar

Jan 10, 2021 at 09:06 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike that we did in the opposite direction.
Cold, no wind, no rain, the trees were white with snow, a real feast for the eyes. Lots of people (even on a Friday). The descent by road is a bit long, so we took off our snowshoes.
Not too much sun, but still a great view from the ridge.

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patzaz

Mar 18, 2019 at 04:18 EDT • Last modified: Mar 20, 2019 at 12:06 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A superb hike for the second time in 4 months
good signposting with an ascent to the pas de sierra then on to the pas de laveuse and the three roche courbe summits, the signal, the vesou then back down to the pas de sierra and back to the car park.
A big well done to the teams on the path for the quality of the work to restore the path.

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syldub69

Feb 25, 2019 at 08:55 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The uphill section on the road is a bit long. If I'd studied the guidebook better, I would have done the hike in the opposite direction, finishing on the downhill road (so as to spend less time on it).
We climbed up to La Pinéa, and it would have been a shame not to go up there! (nice view)
However, at La Pinéa, the path is invisible and the slope is quite steep. You can tumble down the slope if you're not careful.

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vignieu alain

Oct 01, 2018 at 04:15 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It's a nice, easy walk, but we did it in the opposite direction, so the return journey by road is a bit dull. It's worth adding that the route is signposted in yellow and red.

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cray38

Sep 09, 2018 at 12:45 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The route is pleasant, but the long walk along the road to point 1 l'Oratoire is a long one... Allow 1 hour on tarmac. No doubt essential, but it spoils the fun a bit. The walk along the ridge afterwards is pleasant but without any viewpoints. In my opinion, if you're on foot, you should make the return trip to La Pinéa at point 4 (allow 50 mins for the return journey), otherwise it would be a shame... Just so you know, it took us 4 hours with the "bonus" of La Pinéa without the lunch break.

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Patrick B18.

Feb 26, 2018 at 14:55 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

One of the must-do walks around Grenoble!

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cleoni73

Sep 04, 2017 at 22:20 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk with a detour via "la pinéa", a superb panorama.
We did it in the opposite direction, preferring the road circuit on the way back!

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