Tour of the two highest peaks in the Chartreuse

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Chamechaude (2,082 m) and the Dent de Crolles (2,062 m) are the two highest peaks in the Chartreuse; allow for a walk of around 30 km – fancy a go?

Details

n°74760
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.39 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6,673 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 8,005 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,808 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,982 ft
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Start with Chamechaude in sight

Description of the walk

Start from the Col de Porte, accessible by car from Grenoble (above Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse).

(S) Head towards Chamechaude (the path is signposted with yellow signs), towards the ski slopes. You will need to climb up to the Cabane de Bachasson.

(1) Continue to the Rocher de la Folatière and then head for the summit of Chamechaude.
The hike will take 1 hour.

(2) Head back down to the Cabane de Bachasson.

(1) Take the path on the left as you descend, which leads to the Habert de Chamechaude.

(3) (see signposts). It is possible to camp there.
Follow the signposts to reach the Col de l’Émindras.

(4) Continue on, passing the Émindras du Dessus, to reach the Col du Coq (GR®9).
Allow about 1h30 to reach this pass. Please note that the path is often slippery.

(5) Head towards the Dent de Crolles.
Start by crossing the forest to reach the Col des Ayes.

(6) Climb to the Dent via the Pas de l’Oeil (a fairly steep ascent).
Allow 1 hour to reach the summit from the pass.

(7) Descend via the other path back to the Col des Ayes, via a short, rocky detour which presents no difficulties.

(6) Head down to the right along the path leading to Perquelin.

(8) At an altitude of 1,340 metres, take the path that climbs to the left (cairn), which will lead you to a track heading towards the village of Saint Hugues. Not difficult but quite long.
Allow 2 hours for a brisk walk.

(E) You have arrived at the village of Saint Hugues.
There are two options for reaching the Col de Porte:
- You’ve left a car here beforehand.
- Walk up to the Col de Porte: allow 1 hour 30 minutes’ walk.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 4,337 ft - Col de Porte
  2. 1 : mi 1.21 - alt. 5,400 ft - Junction for the return route at Chamechaude
  3. 2 : mi 2.31 - alt. 6,804 ft - Chamechaude
  4. 3 : mi 4.76 - alt. 5,217 ft - Habert de Chamechaude
  5. 4 : mi 5.67 - alt. 4,511 ft - Col de l'Émeindras
  6. 5 : mi 8.65 - alt. 4,705 ft - Col du Coq
  7. 6 : mi 9.31 - alt. 5,056 ft - Col des Ayes
  8. 7 : mi 10.33 - alt. 6,762 ft - Dent de Crolles
  9. 8 : mi 13.02 - alt. 4,373 ft - Junction (alt. 134 m), turn left
  10. E : mi 17.39 - alt. 2,989 ft - Saint Hugues

Notes

Note:
- arrange for a car to be waiting in the village of Saint Hugues de Chartreuse
- or allow an extra 1h30’s climb to the Col de Porte.

Habert de Chamechaude: camping available.
Col de Coq and Col des Ayes: water source.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

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.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
mathis-randodo
mathis-randodo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A really lovely hike, setting off at 7am on Saturday. Climb to the summit of Chamechaude with the chamois (after 9–10am, the climb is a real breeze)!! Spent the night halfway up the Dent de Crolles and climbed to the Dent de Crolles on Sunday morning – a very steep climb where you’ll need to use your hands, but it’s still manageable!! (On the way down, don’t miss the cave on the west side that cuts deep into the mountain; it’s accessible for about 50–100 metres and has lighting)

Perfect for a two-day trip so you can take your time and admire the views all along the way!!

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Artyom
Artyom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A really lovely walk: I’d recommend tackling the climb up to La Chamechaude early in the morning – you’ll see plenty of chamois there

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philippe margerte
philippe margerte

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A brilliant hike – we just made a mistake on the final stretch, where we headed back down to Perquelin instead of taking a path to the left at an altitude of 1,340 metres… That meant an extra 10 km of walking… but it wasn’t unpleasant… Thanks for this hike

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