Vaujany walks

A circular hike in a rather deserted area, with unique geological features alternating between steep high-altitude grasslands and a chaos of clay and black limestone needles.

The light green Lac de la Balmette is located in a very wild cirque dominated by the Grand Pic de Belledonne and Pic Lamartine. Several torrents flowing under the scree feed it and its overflow gives rise to the Ruisseau d'Articol.

A hike to reach a very pretty lake in the Belledonne mountain range. Best done in spring to see the lake and its snowfields.

An easy walk at medium altitude, accessible to most people, around the four lakes: Lac Noir, Lac Besson, Lac Faucille and Lac Carrelet, above Alpe d'Huez. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Get off the beaten track by passing by Lac Noir and return above Lac Carrelet and Lac Besson!

The start of the climb is very steep but rewarded by the view of the Sept Laux lakes and, at the top of the Pic de l'Agnelin, the Belle Étoile and the Cabottes on one side and Oisans and the Grandes Rousses on the other. From the point (1), there were no more traces, no more hikers, just pure bliss!

This is a circular route without difficulty that takes you down into the Sarenne gorges. The first half of the hike is on the road with beautiful panoramic views, and the second half is along the Sarenne river, through the undergrowth to the village of Huez. You can choose to go back up via the ski lift or on foot via the Chemin du Village de l'Alpe (allow an extra 1½ hours, with a significant elevation gain).

This is a beautiful walk that allows you to discover the beautiful chalets of Alpe d'Huez, followed by a gentle path to an old coal mine that closed in 1951, the Herpie mine. Then there is a steeper climb to Lac Blanc. The descent to Alpe d'Huez offers a beautiful view of the resort.

The climb is not very long but quite steep above the Grand Maison dam lake, below the Aiguilles de l'Argentières and opposite the Grandes Rousses, to reach a beautiful lake at the foot of the Sept-Laux massif. Ibex can be seen here when the sheep are not grazing.

This is a wild hike that quickly leaves the beaten track to tackle the Lac de l'Âne glacial cirque via its highest peak, the Pic de l'Agnelin. There are superb views throughout this walk, both on the Bréda and Belledonne valley side and on the Eau d'Olle and Grandes Rousses valley side. The difficulty lies mainly in finding the route, but the Visorando app makes it very easy to follow.

A short hike, mostly off-trail, allowing you to enjoy the wild splendour of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière area and come out at Rocher Blanc (2928m). The east face of Belledonne is much less frequented than its opposite, and the chances of encountering wildlife are therefore greater. This hike is particularly recommended at the beginning of the season when the snowfields are still present, or at the end of the season when the snow begins to dust the slopes again. (Danger) The difficulty of this hike increases to Extremely Difficult in summer when the slopes are snow-free.

This wild hike takes place in spectacular, uncrowded locations, with a good third of the route on a faint but obvious trail that presents no technical difficulties. There are many ibex and chamois as soon as you leave the marked trails, and it is easy to observe them if you set off early enough. A recommended alternative is to climb to the Pointe Centrale du Ferrouillet from the Col de la Brêche, which does not increase the difficulty (allow 30 minutes there and back).

A superb loop that is fairly accessible, even if the first kilometre is on a slightly steep path. You will cross multiple waterfalls, streams and torrents, all with breathtaking views of the Emparis plateau and all the surrounding mountains.

This superb circular hike in the Belledonne massif starts at the Muret car park. The route leads to Lac de la Coche, then crosses the slopes of Roches Jaunes before following the Ruisseau du Clétat and climbing the Col de L'Aigleton. It descends the steep opposite slope, passes the charming little Lacs du Vénétier, then climbs to the Col de la Jasse and reaches the Cime de la Jasse via the ridge. It drops down into the Vallon de la Jasse, passes over the crest of the Montagne de Bédina, and follows a wide track to Plan Cortillets. It crosses the forest to reach Gros Caillou and then Pré de l'Arc, finally taking a gently sloping forest track to complete the loop.

Loop ascending through the pretty Vénétier valley and its lakes to the Cime de la Jasse, a beautiful viewpoint due to its advanced position between Belledonne and Sept-Laux. Return via the Crête de Bedina, on the Prapoutel resort side.

A beautiful circular loop in the Belledonne Massif, where this hike starts from the mountain pastures and takes us through a mineral world to a haven of tranquillity on the edge of the Sept Laux (Seven Lakes). The return journey, along the ridge or through wild valleys, takes us around the Allevard massif.

A very beautiful stage in the Belledonne Massif, starting from the mountain pastures, which takes us through a mineral world to a setting of tranquillity on the edge of the Sept Laux (seven lakes).

This magnificent circular hike begins with the fairly busy route from the Muret car park to the delightful Lac de la Coche. The trail becomes wild as it follows the GR®738 across the discreet eastern slope of the Belledonne mountain range. It passes under the Pointes du Sifflet, karstic cave de la Scia and Ferrouillet peaks, offering magnificent views of the Olle Valley and the eastern face of the Grand Pic de Belledonne. In a high-mountain mineral landscape, the trail crosses the Col de la Brèche Fendue to reach the Col de la Mine de Fer. Leaving the GR®, it descends towards the superb and popular Lac de Crop, then descends its lock and crosses the forest.

A classic hike in the heart of Belledonne, ending at one of the great lakes of Belledonne, outside the Sept Laux. Round trip hike.

The second stage of this circular loop in the Belledonne Massif, sometimes on balcony trails, sometimes through wild valleys, allows you to go around the Allevard massif.

This is a magnificent, easy walk that takes you through many beautiful natural sites, with breathtaking views of the Grésivaudan valley and the Chartreuse mountains.

A lovely day's hike with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière, offering plenty of refreshment thanks to a myriad of lakes and, in the background, the Aiguilles d'Arves and La Meije.

A splendid route, partly off-trail, offering views of the north face of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière and its reflections in the emerald lakes of Sambuis and La Croix: panoramic views. Many ibex frequent the rocky outcrops above the lakes. This hike presents no difficulty apart from the elevation gain and finding the route (4km without markings).

A lovely, easy hike through the mountain pastures at high altitude, between two legendary Tour de France passes.

This is a beautiful hike with a wide variety of landscapes ranging from pastures to glaciers that can be admired on the northern slope of the Écrins. Message from the moderator: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

A beautiful family walk in the heart of the Belledonne forest, starting from the Prapoutel resort (Les Sept Laux). This easy walk can be done via several routes and paths, all leading to Pré de l'Arc, where it is impossible to get lost thanks to the clear signposting.

This is a beautiful, very easy walk through the forests surrounding Prapoutel, passing through various places such as the Pré de l'Arc and its holiday camp, the Gros Caillou, and the Chalet des Cortillets with its panoramic view of the Chartreuse Mountains and the Grésivaudan Valley.

A forest loop allows you to reach the Pont de la Betta, the starting point for a multitude of other hikes, while discovering the charming hamlet of Prabert and the magnificent Cascade des Avoux waterfall.

Loop between Prapoutel and Pipay, from the forest to the Balcon des Sept Laux trail, offering breathtaking views of the Chartreuse Massif and birds flying across the Belledonne sky. With a bit of luck, you may spot a bearded vulture, one of only four species of vulture in France, which is currently being reintroduced in the Alps.