Tour of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We took a different route: on the way to point 2, we passed by Notre-Dame de Casalibus on our way to the Chapel of St Bruno.
About 15 metres down from the chapel, there’s a tiny track on the left which avoids having to go back down to Notre-Dame de Casalibus; it joins a path marked first in solid black and then with dotted lines, leading to the spot known as ‘La prairie du Col’ below the Petit Som.
We had a picnic on this path in the meadow, near some beautiful ruins with stone columns, before climbing up to “La prairie du Col” and reaching point 3.
From point 3 to the finish, it’s a long stretch through the woodland, but whatever you do, don’t miss viewpoint No. 5 overlooking the Grande Chartreuse – it’s absolutely stunning!

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A walk completed without any difficulty using the Visorando app and GPS, and thoroughly enjoyed during this spell of hot weather. The route climbs gradually through the forest, where the cool air is a welcome relief. There is no spectacular viewpoint at the summit, but two viewing points offer views of the mountain ranges and the monastery below. After point 2, it would be a shame not to take a short detour to the Casalibus Chapel. Even though entry isn’t permitted, you can press your nose against the window and catch a glimpse of the interior. What’s more, it’s a pleasant spot, ideal for a picnic. At point 6, we followed the red and yellow markings and the ‘Trail 4’ sign and had no trouble at all. You just need to be careful at the junction and take the narrow path that climbs to the left, rather than heading straight on along the wider path. Branches lying across this path indicate that you’re on the wrong track. Despite the warning about herds, we only spotted a single herd of cows near the monastery, far from the path. So no danger, no risk of disturbing them and no mountain dogs!

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Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to do during a heatwave, as almost the entire route is in the shade of the trees in the beautiful Chartreuse Forest.
Note that when you reach the Belvédère, there is a small path on the left which leads down about thirty metres to a second, less frequented (and less secure) viewpoint.

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Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk in the cool woods. Be aware that there is no magnificent view at the top because there is no top! At one point, there is an opening onto the monastery. Very pretty. It's very nice to be able to stop and buy some souvenirs at the museum.

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Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There was snow from 1,200 metres upwards, but it was still possible to walk in shoes. The second part had quite a few sloping sections, but the snow was crusty and stable, so there were no problems. At point 6, the markings are very clear and there is no confusion; just follow the trial 4 markings. The markings are impeccable throughout. Don't miss the viewpoint over the monastery.

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Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A circular through the woods with very few viewpoints. Be careful not to miss the viewpoint overlooking the monastery at point 5, as it is slightly off the path, below. It would be a shame to miss it, as it is pretty much the only real point of interest on this walk.

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Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route done in the direction indicated. Three adults. A few questions at two forks quickly resolved with the map. Large fallen trees easily crossed. You can also walk around them on the right. There are three viewpoints, two of which offer a beautiful view of the monastery. Bring binoculars for more details on the buildings still undergoing renovation. In this period of unpredictable weather, the undergrowth was very damp and the paths were sometimes muddy despite a fairly sunny day. A very pleasant hike. It can be done in the opposite direction, starting from the small car park above the large one at La Correrie.

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Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I have often done this route, but always in the opposite direction to the one indicated: you start with a section that can be difficult (according to reports) and finish with a "stroll" near the monastery, which seems more comfortable to me. We didn't encounter any difficulties on the path between the start (La Correrie) and point 6, apart from a few fallen trees, but they didn't block the way. When travelling north to south, at one point you may be tempted to continue along a fairly wide, flat path, when in fact you need to turn left onto a narrow trail. There are no signs at this point. By doing the route in the opposite direction, you avoid this risk.

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While awaiting a response from the author, I have corrected his GPS track to make it coincide with the marked trail, further east.
Kind regards

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In any case, something must be done to prevent this from happening again.
Thank you for your comments.

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Here is what the author says about this potion

"Please note that logging roads have been opened from this point onwards.
Look out for the GRP® or Trail 4 markings (small white labels).
The path climbs to the left and is only marked on its upper section.
Then, on the final descent, turn right twice onto the embankment created by the logging road.
The yellow-red markings are visible. The GPS track is unreliable, with reception extremely disrupted by the forest and the orientation of the slope."

The GPS track is therefore not really reliable. I will ask the author to correct it manually.

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I'm not sure about that because, according to your app, we were definitely on the marked trail. We realised that, in trying to 'find our way out', we had left your trail behind, but we did so consciously because it was leading nowhere and the trail had completely disappeared.

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It is possible that you took the wrong path and followed a path called "old dead-end path" visible on the OSMRando map.

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Actually, I only saved it on my watch: https://maps.suunto.com/move/pierrecocha...
but I don't know if you'll be able to access it...

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Hello
Can you put this trace on your Visorando page so that I can check with the author to see if we can get around it?

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