Tour de la Tençon Trail no. 2 of the "Sentiers de Chartreuse Occidentale"

The start is in Voreppe Bourg, at the ‘Parking des Gradins de Roize’, Quai du Dr Jacquin (towards Chalais); however, you must park at the ‘Parking des Randonneurs’ on Rue Pré Boulat, 100 metres further up (signposted).

Follow marker no. 2, yellow markings.

(S/E) Walk down the left bank of the Roize to the footbridge opposite the pharmacy. Cross the Roize and the D520A, then continue downhill to the Chemin du Boutet on your right. Follow this path for about 600m, until you reach the D520A.

(1) Take care when crossing the road and take the steps in front of you. Walk between the houses in the Malossane neighbourhood, continuing uphill, until you reach the signpost.

(2) On the right is the Gouffre Gondrand. Turn left onto the steep little path, then take the steps between the two properties. At the top, you’ll rejoin the D520A. Follow it to the right, using the safety barrier for protection, for 200 metres.

(3) At the low wall, go through the gate and cross the D520A , taking great care. Follow the road on the opposite side for 50 metres and enter the woods. Walk up this pleasant path and make use of the bench to admire the views of Voreppe and Grenoble in the distance. After this break, continue uphill to reach the spot known as “l’arbre fourchu”.

(4) Turn left and walk a few dozen metres.

(5) At the sign for “Belvédère du Bourget”, take a detour to the left to admire the view over the Voironnais plain and, in the background, Parménie Hill. Due to a fire, return to the path and continue the climb until you are 100 metres from the pass. During the climb, enjoy a lovely view of the districts of Malossane and Racin, with the Aiguille de Chalais in the distance. 100 metres before the pass, take the descending track to the left. Then take the path to the left again. At the “No Entry” sign, turn right and continue along the route to reach a ruin, with the remains of an old bread oven. Please note: animals graze in this area during the summer. Gates are fitted to close automatically (please do not block them). This section winds through boxwood hedges which, unfortunately, have been damaged by the box tree moth. Continue to the “Belvédère des Maquisards” sign.

(6) Take a 15-minute round-trip detour to admire the view of the Voreppe gorge. A superb spot to rest. Then return to the sign.

(6) Continue along the path to the left. Carry on the walk until you reach a shaded path. Take it to the right and follow it, keeping to the right. Take care towards the end of this path; on the left are the Buisse quarries

(7) When you reach the first ruined house, take the path climbing sharply to the right towards the Col de la Tençon. Follow this path to the pass.

(8) The pass is the highest point of the route. Head towards the “forked tree” on the right. Take the path and, 100 metres further on, turn left onto the Chemin des Geais, so named because it used to be home to thousands of these migratory birds in autumn. Begin the descent, which includes a few short climbs.

(9) On your left, you’ll find a lovely viewpoint over the districts of Malossane and Racin, with the Aiguille de Chalais in the background. Continue the descent, which can be quite steep in places, to the “forked tree” and rejoin the route you took on the way up.

(4) Turn left and follow the path back, taking great care when crossing the D520A, and return to the Vorep hikers’ car park (S/E).

Places to relax at the two viewing points.

(2) The hamlet of Malossane takes its name from the molasse stone that was quarried there until the 19th century.
The Gondrand chasm was an open-cast refractory clay quarry, in operation from 1880 to 1915.

The Maquisards viewpoint was a strategic position used in June 1940 by the Army of the Alps and later by the Resistance.

(8) The Col de la Tençon (628 m) was a much-used route to Savoie, which, until 1355, stretched its border between Voiron, La Buisse and the Col de la Placette.

(9) View over the districts of Malossane and Racin and the Aiguille de Chalais.

Visit the Corepha association’s website to learn more about the heritage and history of the commune of Voreppe.