PHOTOS. Holidays in the Alps: five essential tours in the Grenoble region

Do you want a short walk or a more fun outdoor walk? A holiday in the Alps is an opportunity to discover amazing landscapes between lakes and mountains. If you have decided to settle down in the Grenoble region, here are five ideas for tours and walks at all levels.

The first publication of the article on 06/11/2020

Do you miss the outdoors after recess? No need to go far Grenoble to feel out of place and find unusual places, with a little paradise air. In Belledonne, Chartreuse or Trièves, France 3 Alpes gives you five ideas for tours for your holidays. Whether you love a walk or a Sunday stroller.

At the top of Charmant-Som, the Chartreuse at your feet

The route is very familiar to the residents of Grenoble. Less than an hour’s drive from the capital of the Alps, in the town of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, the Charmant-Som offers a spectacular view of the massif.

And for good reason: at a height of 1867 meters, the summit of Charmant-Som is the fourth highest peak in the Chartreuse. In good weather, the lucky ones can see Mont Blanc.

Signs. From the Charmant-Som hotel car park, take the long distance hiking trail (GR) that crosses the mountain pasture, and then the ascent begins. Before it passes the other slope, turn left, on the ridge to the top and the Cross.

Up there, the view of the surrounding peaks is amazing. Below, you can see the Grande Chartreuse monastery. A historical monument where it is forbidden to visit the solitude of the monks who live there.

Then the descent is made on the same route. AN The chance of getting lost is slim: just follow the paths found by the many passages. More information on Chartreuse tourism.

Difficulty. The hike is rated as “very easy”, the Charmant-Som is famous for being the most accessible peak in the region. Allow about 200 meters of elevation gain for this route.

Length. It takes between one and two hours to tour, with the opportunity to have a picnic at the top.

Accessibility. From Grenoble, there are two options available to you. It is possible to reach Charmant-Som via Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux and then by taking the road to Clémencières, or via La Tronche and Corenc continuing on the RD512. Follow this same road to the Col de Porte where you have to turn towards the D57E, until you reach Charmant-Som pub.

The awe-inspiring Himalayan footbridges at Lake Monteynard-Avignonet

Ten kilometers of turquoise water visible from the top of a footbridge. Going south, at the gates of Trièves and Matheysine. A haven for surfers and hikers, Lake Monteynard-Avignonet is a little corner of paradise about thirty minutes from Grenoble.

The two Himalayan footbridges that cross the Drac and the Ebron, unique in Europe, guarantee a walk accessible to all, opening panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings. around him.

Signs. Do you want to walk a little? A long walk? And why not a boat trip? There are several options depending on your level and desires. Leaving Treffort car park, take the signposted “sentier des footbridges”, running alongside the lake to the south.

After an hour’s walk on a path full of sights, you will reach the Ebron footbridge, which crosses the lake. over 180 meters. The promise of a beautiful view of Monteynard and the forest that surrounds it. For the more confident who want to continue on the path, it takes an additional two hours of walking, between footpaths and lakeside roads, to reach the Drac footbridge. An equally amazing new look.

A few kilometers further, you will reach the town of Savel, on the other bank of the lake. You can look at his castle there from the 12th century, located at about 550 meters above sea level. There, two options are available to hikers: turn back or cross the lake by boat. For this second option, count on 6 euros per person for a fifteen minute ride. You can look at a map of the different routes on it Monteynard-Avignonet lake site.

Difficulty. The pass is easy, with an elevation gain of 450 meters if you choose to pass through two Himalayan gates.

Length. It all depends on your choice of route! Between Treffort and Ebron footbridge, allow 1 hour of walking and 100 meters of positive altitude difference. It takes 2 hours to reach the two footbridges with 300 meters of positive boost boost. And for the whole circuit, with the boat crossing, it takes 4h30 of walking.

Accessibility. Take the A480 south, then exit 13 of the A51. Then take the D110 towards Aux Baylles to Treffort. Salette car park is located next to the Le Môle building and the port of La Mira.

A large loop around the lakes of Chamrousse

An unusual walk, right above the capital of the Alps. In the heart of Belledonne, the loop of the Chamrousse lakes takes you to the heart of the mountain pastures and the ski area with views of the surrounding peaks.

A walk for experienced hikers on a path a few thousand meters above sea level.

Signs. From the tourist office (1750), in Roche-Béranger, continue to Loch Agh. The hike starts with a steep climb, but the view is worth the hike. At the edge of Lake Achard, designated as a Natura 2000 zone, you can easily find a place for a picnic before taking the marked path. to Robert Lakes. A small reserved corner where the lucky ones will have the chance to come across marmots.

From the site of Robert lakes, go back down to Lac des Pourettes with, as a result, a panoramic view over Grenoble and the surrounding mountains. All that’s left is to join by Recoin (1650) before returning to the parking lot the tourist office.

Difficulty. This route is aimed at more experienced walkers, it is classified as “very difficult” by Island Tourismwith a positive elevation of 575 meters.

Length. For the three lakes loop, allow 6 hours of walking for 11 kilometers travelled.

Accessibility. From the center of Grenoble, take the A41 towards Chambéry and take the N87 exit towards Sisteron. On this road, take exit 2 towards Saint-Martin-d’Hères and continue towards Uriage. Stop before Chamrousse station, in Roche-Béranger, where you can park near the tourist office.

The Dent de Crolles through the Pas de l’Oeille

The unauthorized summit of the Grenoble basin, the Dent de Crolles dominates the Grésivaudan valley from its height of 2,062 meters. A hiker’s playground, it is accessible via multiple routes with, upon arrival, a panoramic view of the Alps.

The loop through the Pas de l’Oeille and the Trou du Glas is a classic, allowing you to reach the summit directly. But it’s worth the trip.

Signs. Just below the Col du Coq, the start is taken from the parking lot des Ayes, already 1,400 meters away. Going back down the road for about a hundred metres, take the first path on your left. When they arrived Col des Ayes, climb with the GR9 / GRP the great grassy slope. Then, at around 1650 metres, leave the GR and continue climbing in the same direction to almost reach the base of the western rock of the Dent de Crolles.

There, continue crossing to the right until you find yourself at the bottom of a large valley. It means going up on a visible path and over a short section with a cable. When you come out of the gouet, you come out right under the roof of the Dent de Crolles and its famous view.

The descent is to the north, over the plateau. You must then follow the GR9 on the left to find the descent to the Trou du Glas. Corridor equipped with cable permitting do not slip on the tiles. The path at the bottom of the wall then passes in front of the entrance to the Trou du Glas then, until it returns to the way up. The IGN map can be viewed City of Grenoble website.

Difficulty. The rate is very high due, in particular, to a large positive difference in height: 660 meters. It may be difficult to cross some sections, but No a second

Length. The walk can be done in 3 or 4 hours depending on your pace.

Accessibility. Allow about 45 minutes to get there from Grenoble. When you leave the town, take the A41 towards Chambéry and exit at Villard-Bonnot (n° 24.1). Then follow the D30 and then the D30E and stop at the car park just before the Col du Coq.

The Cirque de Saint-Meme and its huge waterfall

A small green setting in the middle of the mountains. At the foot of the Hauts de Chartreuse nature reserve, the Cirque de Saint-Meme, in Savoie, offers an accessible walk between forest and torrent. Natural site, Guiers Vif store, at the end of the Chartreuse massif.

Signs. From the Drugey bridge, follow the closed road and follow the right bank of the Guiers Vif towards the great waterfall, until you arrive. the forest Halfway along, a small belvedere gives us a view of the first waterfall.

Then the climb in curves, very steep, allowing you to reach the great waterfall. The highlight of the show. The retreat is taking place by the wooden bridge to cross to the other bank until you find the lawn in front of the hotel and return to the starting point.

Difficulty. The hike is rated as “very easy”, affordable for all levels.

Length. The 3 kilometer loop done in about 1 hour.

Accessibility. The Cirque de Saint-Meme is 1 hour by car from Grenoble. First take the A48 and go towards Lyon, Voiron, Voreppe (n°13). Then just follow the Isère road (D3) before continuing on the D520 towards Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. The car park is next to the D45C, just after Saint-Meme-d’en-Haut.