Country:
City:
The start is in Voreppe, at Chalais Monastery (Route de Chalais). Park in the upper car park (also known as ‘P3’ or ‘Hikers’ Car Park’).
Follow signpost no . 7, marked in yellow.
(S/E) At the far end of the car park, after the barrier, take the forest road, following the hairpin bend to the left. Follow this road, ignoring the paths branching off to the right and left.
(1) At the Roize Forest Shelter, take the path that starts behind it.
Warning: the track running in front of the shelter is closed to walkers due to a high risk of rockfall.
The path descends gradually through the undergrowth to the Torrent de Roize, which you reach via an overhanging cable-assisted section. Caution: tricky section .
(2) After crossing the stream, continue up the other bank. After a few hairpin bends, cross the Torrent de Charminelle at the foot of a pretty waterfall. Continue following the stream and cross it again to rejoin the forest track.
(3) Follow the forest track uphill to cross the Torrent de Charminelle once more through a rocky scree slope.
(4) Leave the track after a few dozen metres and take the path along the hillside that branches off to the right. Continue the winding ascent through the beautiful beech forest. Reach the Source de Charminelle on the left of the path.
(5) Continue on to reach the Prairie de Charminelle.
(6) From the top of the meadow, take the path that climbs to the right up a clearly marked ridge. This continues in switchbacks along the slope on a steep incline to the Cheminée de Lorzier, where the highest point (1,787 m) of the hike is reached.
(7) Cross the summit of the Cheminée de Lorzier via a cable-assisted section and continue straight on to the Col d'Hurtières.
(8) At the pass, turn right to reach the Prairies de Vararey.
(9) Continue straight on to the Chalet-Refuge des Bannettes, which offers hikers a place to camp.
(10) Continue and begin the descent towards Mont-Saint-Martin. The path through the meadow overlooks Les Gourhauts, which you crossed on the way up. Then enter the forest where the summit of the Pas de l’Âne is located.
(11) The pass is now closed to the public. Continue downhill and, further down, follow the Échaillon meadow.
(12) Take in the views of this spot, which is covered in flowers from spring onwards. Continue the descent along a forest track.
(13) At the junction with the Côte Charvet (alt. 1054m), take the path on the right, towards Chalais.
(14) At the bottom of Côte Charvet, follow the path on the right towards Chalais.
(15) At the junction at the hamlet of L'Espagne, continue straight on towards the summit of the Cheminée de Mont-Saint-Martin. Pass the summit and descend on the other side via the Cheminée. This exposed path is secured by handrails. Take care, particularly if the ground is wet and slippery.
(16) At the junction at the bottom of the Cheminée, turn right to climb towards Chalais and reach the upper car park of the Monastère de Chalais (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
Extremely difficult 
Tourism professional
