Hiking in the Chartreuse

Being in the heart of nature while remaining close to the city - that's the promise of hiking near Grenoble, in the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park!

From the banks of the Isère River, it's already possible to get some height by taking the signposted path leading to the Bastille, and why not reach Mont Jalla. From the top, hikers can enjoy beautiful views of Grenoble, the Belledonne massif and the Vercors. Some will even hike from Grenoble to the summit of Mont Rachais, where you can feel as much at the heart of the massif as overlooking the Grenoble conurbation.

Further east in the Chartreuse massif, you can follow the GR®9 from Grenoble to the Fort du Saint-Eynard. From this fort, built to create a defensive curtain, the views over the Isère valley and surrounding mountains are unique!

Finally, hikers wishing to enjoy a 360° panorama can set off from the Col de Porte along the paths leading to the summit of La Pinéa (1771 m).

As with Grenoble, walking and nature enthusiasts will also find plenty to do around the city of Chambéry, to the north of the Chartreuse massif.

Those who like a bit of climbing can head off on foot to Mont Granier, one of the emblematic peaks of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve. From the Plagne parking lot, other paths and trails lead to the Pinet summit and the Col de l'Alpe, surrounded by the superbEntremont-le-Vieux forest.

If you're planning a hike in the Chartreuse region, the Cirque de Saint-Même is well worth a visit. Situated at an altitude of 900 m, it offers walkers landscapes of rare beauty. Surrounded by greenery, you'll enjoy the freshness of three superb waterfalls, dominated by an impressive amphitheatre of cliffs.

Bordered by the Isère river to the east and the Grand Ratz and Epine mountains to the west, the Chartreuse massif is distinguished by its three ridge lines.

From west to east, the most important peaks are Grande Sure (1920 m) for the western Chartreuse, Grand Som (2026 m) for the middle part and Chamechaude, the massif's highest point at 2082 m, for the eastern Chartreuse, for those who like steep gradients and exceptional panoramas.

In the heart of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve, the Dent de Crolles (2062 m) and Mont Granier (1933 m) are also popular hiking sites for experienced walkers.

Although "difficult" hikes often offer the most beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area, the Chartreuse massif remains an accessible territory for beginners and families. Easy half-day hikes can be made on routes of less than 5 km or no more than 10 km.

Set off from the Chalais convent to enjoy a view of the Vercors and Grenoble from the Aiguille du Chablais and the Rocher de Bellevue lookout, stroll along the Saint-Hugues plateau at the foot of the emblematic peaks(Chamechaude, Charmant Som and Mont Pravouta), hike one of the unmissable circuits from the Col du Granier to explore the Joigny barns at Entremont-le-Vieux...

On hot summer days, families can take a walk through the undergrowth to discover the Enversin waterfall (5 km) or the Alloix waterfall (3.5 km) near Montalieu.