Tour of the 10 highest peaks in the Chartreuse

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This itinerary describes a circular route that takes in the ten highest peaks of the Chartreuse. Covering the massif’s most classic hikes, it is divided into five stages, with half-board accommodation available. Allow around ten hours’ walking per day, with a few unavoidable technical sections. Naturally, the views over the Chartreuse and beyond are incredible. Throughout the route, you’ll discover magnificent flora and fauna, as well as a few geological and archaeological gems that are well worth a detour. The ten peaks are merely a pretext for a major hike in an exceptional setting.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 63.25 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 24,304 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 24,291 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,814 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,096 ft

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    Col du Coq – Col de Porte

    ↔7.76 mi ↗2,972 ft ↘3,219 ft
    This first stage of the Tour of the Ten Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse links the Col du Coq to the Col de Porte, via Chamechaude, the highest point of the Chartreuse massif. However, with the passage through the Double Arche, situated at the foot of Chamechaude, followed by the Rampe de l’Écureuil (or Pas du Lapin), and the canyon on the descent, these gems of the Chartreuse massif do require sure-footedness, combined with a good sense of direction.
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  2. 2

    Col de Porte – Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse

    ↔17.45 mi ↗5,075 ft ↘6,824 ft
    This second stage of the Tour of the 10 Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse links the Col de Porte to St-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, via the Charmant Som and then the Grande Sûre. Whilst presenting no particular technical difficulties, this stage is nevertheless one of the longest on the Tour.
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  3. 3

    Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse – Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont

    ↔9.00 mi ↗4,160 ft ↘4,633 ft
    This third stage of the Tour of the Ten Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse links Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse to Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont, via the Grand Som. There are no technical difficulties, unless you decide to follow the southern ridge of the Grand Som, which offers some very beautiful and exposed rock climbing.
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  4. 4

    Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont – Cirque de Saint-Même

    ↔15.94 mi ↗5,669 ft ↘5,003 ft
    The fourth stage of the Tour of the Ten Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse, linking Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont to the Cirque de Saint-Même, via the Granier (northern summit) and the Pinet (also known as the Truc). This is one of the longest stages of the Tour, featuring a technical section at the Pas des Barres. A special mention goes to the Grotte de la Balme in Collomb.
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  5. E

    Cirque de Saint-Même – Col du Coq

    ↔13.05 mi ↗6,362 ft ↘4,580 ft
    The fifth and final stage of the Tour of the Ten Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse, linking the Cirque de Saint-Même to the Col du Coq, via the Lance Sud de Malissard, the Dôme de Bellefond, the Piton de Bellefond, and the Dent de Crolles. This is one of the longest stages of the Tour, featuring a technical section: the Pas de la Mort.
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Notes

Technical sections are equipped with cables.

List of accommodation (half-board + picnic for the following day).

  1. Col de Porte: Domaine de Rozan
  2. Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse: O Caprice du Guiers
  3. Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont: L’Herbe Tendre
  4. Cirque de Saint-Même: Chalet

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

  • Chamois, mouflons, ibex.
  • Breathtaking views.
  • Arches, caves, ruins, tunnels.
  • Historical inscriptions carved into the rock.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking Col du Coq – Col de Porte

Visorando Member
↔7.76 mi ↗+2,972 ft ↘-3,219 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
This first stage of the Tour of the Ten Highest Peaks of the Chartreuse links the Col du Coq to the Col de Porte, via Chamechaude, the highest point of the Chartreuse massif. However, with the passage through the Double Arche, situated at the foot of Chamechaude, followed by the Rampe de l’Écureuil (or Pas du Lapin), and the canyon on the descent, these gems of the Chartreuse massif do require sure-footedness, combined with a good sense of direction.

Walking Bec Charvet via the north-east face

Visorando Member
Bec Charvet par la face Nord-Est
↔3.03 mi ↗+1,476 ft ↘-1,483 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A short, quiet hike offering interesting views of the Dent de Crolles and Chamechaude, far from the crowds. Significant elevation gain to the summit of Bec Charvet. The route is partly unmarked: follow the route on the map and the instructions carefully.

Walking Bec Charvet Circular Loop

Visorando Member
Boucle du Bec Charvet
↔3.41 mi ↗+1,470 ft ↘-1,476 ft ◔2h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pancrasse (Isère)
A lovely circular route in the Chartreuse with the Bec Charvet as the highest point, a descent towards the Col de la Faïta via the ridges and the return via a section ofthe GR®9.

Walking From Col du Coq to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Visorando Member
Du Col du Coq à Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
↔14.29 mi ↗+4,423 ft ↘-5,938 ft ◔10h 25 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pancrasse (Isère)
The route runs mainly through the Chartreuse Natural Park, passing through the massif's iconic passes and mountains. The route combines fairly steep climbs, passages through plateaus, mountain pastures and a village.

Walking Mont Pravouta and Col des Ayes

Visorando Member
Mont Pravouta et Col des Ayes
↔2.91 mi ↗+1,109 ft ↘-1,109 ft ◔2h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pancrasse (Isère)
Short family-friendly walk with a magnificent view, manageable on foot or on snowshoes.

Walking Bec Charvet

Visorando Member
↔5.38 mi ↗+2,156 ft ↘-2,152 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
Bec Charvet is a peak located slightly off the Grande Randonnée hiking trails, offering unobstructed views of the great peaks of Chartreuse and beyond. The following description outlines a route passing through the Emeindras de Dessus mountain pasture, where you can already enjoy a beautiful view of the panorama.

Walking The Égaux trail

Visorando Member
La piste des Égaux
↔4.30 mi ↗+748 ft ↘-722 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
A lovely, varied walk with a beautiful view over the Saint-Pierre valley. The ‘moderate’ difficulty rating is solely due to a steep climb halfway through the walk (110 m elevation gain over 600 m). Otherwise, it is relatively short, easy and follows good paths. __

Walking The hamlets of Saint-Hugues de Chartreuse

Visorando Member
Les hameaux de Saint-Hugues de Chartreuse
↔3.92 mi ↗+430 ft ↘-423 ft ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
Take a short walk in the Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse valley. You can admire the peaks of Chamechaude to the south, Charmant Som to the west and Grand Som to the north-west, while passing through charming Carthusian hamlets.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.