The 5 best snowshoe hikes less than 1 hour from Grenoble

Have you planned to pack your bags in the capital of the Alps? Here are the top 5 snowshoe hikes less than 1 hour from Grenoble

Grenoble it is a symbolic meeting point for lovers of skiing, mountaineering and winter excursions. Crowned by mountains that embellish the landscape in every way, the city is proudly stamped capital of the Alps. Well nestled at the confluence of two rivers, this medium altitude destination uses superb ramparts: the Vercor Mountains, Chartreuse, Taillefer and the chain of Belledonne. Nothing amazing to tell you today about the 5 best snowshoe hikes less than 1 hour from Grenoble. An original, sporty and exotic excursion to discover Dauphiné.

The circuit of the lakes

This snowshoe hike near Grenoble is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. Start close Chamrousse : the perched ski resort at the end of the Belledonne massif, 45 minutes from the capital of the Alps. Like a necklace of blue pearls broken on the ground, the lakes are scattered among the mountains. These lake landscapes, typical of the Alps, give an almost unreal aspect to the surrounding environment.

This path takes you first to the Lake Achard then to Lake Robert. You cross the passes before descending gently towards the lake of the valleys. Everywhere winter has imposed calm, silence and serenity. The snow covers the firs and spruces with its shining arms. Only a few slopes resist the onslaught of snowflakes, showing their dark karst breccias.

Lake Achard

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Here is a path very popular with hikers in summer, which regains its calm and mysterious atmosphere in winter. However, this snowshoe excursion near Grenoble loses none of its spectacular character in the low season.

The trail climbs 2000 meters to Lac Achard. Up there, the view of the Taillefer massif is extremely impressive. The lake remains camouflaged under its layer of dust and ice. Then he creates a white, virgin and silent horizon, several tens of meters long. All around, the hundred-year-old pines bend their spines under the snow but remain very present in the landscape.

If snowshoeing is your thing, you can complement your ascent to Lac Achard with more snowshoe circuits.

Plateau of Les Égauds Molière

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This snowshoe excursion starts 40 minutes from Grenoble. More precisely, in Lans-en-Vercors. The medium difficulty ring crosses the Molière plateau, under the eye of Charande hoisted at 1709 meters above sea level.

After the alpine pastures, this snowshoe hike leads through forests with sleeping, snow-covered wildflowers. Silence. But make no mistake. Life is there. The animals of the mountains doze under the frozen branches. Some are still coming out of the ground. In the sky, eagles and hawks continue to circle.

The path finally leads to a breathtaking panoramic balcony, unfolding towards the Massif de Belledonne and the Chartreuse. Along the way, you pass the Molière pasture.

Circuit Bachat Bouloud Lac Achard

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Embark on a snowshoe hike near Grenoble to earn points breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful frozen lakes: Lac Achard. The beginning of the cycle is near Chamrousse and it’s done in less than two hours. However, the walk offers a synthesis of all the winter beauties of the Alps.

Before and from Lac Achard, you will have a breathtaking view the northern area of ​​Arselle, the Taillefer massif and the Belledonne chain. The course takes place in a peaceful and charming environment. The path also passes through the pines of the Alps that bend their spines under the powder snow. Despite the cold, it happens that small streams continue to flow… So don’t hesitate to stop and listen.

Rock of the Cross Perche of Chamrousse

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The last of our snowshoe excursions less than 1 hour from Grenoble is a tour near Chamrousse. Popular, the circuit is nonetheless peaceful and rejuvenating. You evolve above the lake of Roche. The Rocher de la Perche stands out in the landscapea juggernaut who is photogenic in every way.

The sunny passages, where only white lines mark the horizon, alternate with more hilly passages, dotted with graying conifers.

Finally you reach the Cross of Chamrousse, which culminates at 2253 metres. Perhaps you will have the chance to admire it in its most beautiful setting: covered with icy peaks frozen horizontally by the wind!