CHARTREUSE MASSIF self-guided

More details
7 days 7 days
Self-guided Self-guided
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Classic (dormitory)
Level *** Level ***
From 575 € From 575 €

You, your hiking boots and your map, we take care of the rest...

Between two Alpine capitals there is a massif with a wild character that inspired St Bruno to found the Carthusian order. The proposed itinerary allows you to discover all the faces of the massif: plateaus, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, deep forests, monastic life and views of the largest French glacial lake. The ascent of the most beautiful summits offers exceptional views of the valleys and summits of the other Alpine massifs. However, beware, the silence of the monks must not be disturbed in these mountains... The route crosses the massif from Chambéry to Grenoble without taxi transfers, the opportunity for a soft mobility stay and easily accessible by train!

You will like

  • A massif that has kept its authentic mountain atmosphere
  • ​Hiking on the most beautiful peaks of the massif
  • The alternation between plateaus and vertiginous cliffs
  • Panoramic views of the others alpine massifs, Belledonne, Taillefer, Grandes Rousses, Ecrins and the far Mont Blanc.
Lire les avis clients

Partager sur :

CHARTREUSE MASSIF self-guided

From 575 €

Contact us
Secure payment
Secure payment

Circuit

Last places available !

Hike details

See the technical facts

Dates & prices

DEPARTURE AND PRICE

Departure from mid-June to the end of September 2024. Daily departure (except on Sundays).

Without baggage transport
575€ per person classic accommodation.

With baggage transport
2 or 3 persons : 795€ per person.
4 or 5 persons : 710€ per person.
6 persons : 660€ per person.

Information and reservation is simple by telephone or e-mail.

Secure payment Secure payment
Contact us !

THE PRICE

The price includes: 

  • Half board from dinner the first evening to breakfast of the last day;
  • A road book: description and IGN maps (1 road book per registration up to 4 people. A supplementary road book for groups of 5 or more. Extra road book supplement 10-25€);
  • Daily baggage transport between accommodation if you have chosen this option;
  • Tourist taxes;
  • Organisation and booking fees.

The price does not include:

  • Picnic lunches;
  • Personal expenses, drinks, touristic visits, etc.;
  • Bus transfers (around 6€ per person);
  • Travel insurance.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Bus transfert from the train station of Chambéry at 12:30 pm. Meeting point at 1:15 pm at the Col du Granier if you have chosen the luggage transport option.

COL DU GRANIER – MONT JOIGNY - LE DÉSERT
From the Col du Granier, the path rises to the Mont Joigny cross, an exceptional viewpoint on the Mont-Blanc, the Bauges, the Lac du Bourget to the north and the whole Chartreuse massif to the south. After a passage on the ridge to the pointe de la Gorgeat, descent through the forest into the Entremonts valley. Night in a lodge, in a dormitory in the hamlet of Le Désert.
4h30 walk / Elevation : +/- 700 m / 10km

Day 2

NATURAL RESERVE OF THE CHARTREUSE - CIRQUE OF ST MEME
From the gîte, the path leads to the Col de l'Alpette and the Alpe valley. In summer, this valley is home to cows that cohabit with the wild fauna. You can hear the cry of marmots interspersed with the sound of bells. The ruins of old halmets mark the plateau, witnesses to the pastoral activity of past times. Descent to the Cirque of Saint Même, a superb site at the foot of limestone cliffs from which 4 waterfalls gush out. Night in gite, in a multiple room.
5h30 walk / Elevation : +600 m ; -820 m / 14km

Day 3

NATURAL RESERVE - ST PIERRE DE CHARTREUSE
The itinerary joins the high plateau of Chartreuse again before a long crossing through the Aup du Seuil forest and the Marcieu valley, bordered by high cliffs, one of the most beautiful routes in the Chartreuse. At the Bellefont pass, you can climb up to the Dôme de Bellefont to discover the panorama over the Grésivaudan valley and the Alps, before descending to the village of Saint Pierre de Chartreuse. Settling in for two nights in a gîte in a multiple room.
7h30 walk / Elevation : +1150 m ; -1150 m / 19km

Day 4

GRAND SOM - MONASTERY OF GRANDE CHARTREUSE
The first part of the route takes place in the forest, up to the Pas de la Suffière where we reach the summit of the Grand Som which overlooks the Monastery. Descend through a "sangle" to reach the habert de Bovinant, then through the forest to the Monastery and La Correrie, the house of the converted brothers, transformed into a museum. Second night at the gîte in a multiple room.
6.30 hours walk / Elevation : +1300 m ; -1300 m / 15km

Low effort option : The Monastery of Grande Chartreuse. From St Pierre reach the bridge of Grand Logis and then the Porte de l'Enclos. An easy path allows to join La Correrie and the Monastery.
3 hours walk / Elevation : +150 m ; -150 m / 9km (Return)

Day 5

CHARMANT SOM – COL DE PORTE
Une montée permet de rejoindre les dalles du Charmant Som, petit sommet central de la Chartreuse. Le sentier traverse l’alpage puis continue en crête avant de descendre en forêt jusqu'au Col de Porte. Possibilité de continuer la crête jusqu'au joli sommet pointu de la Pinéa.
Nuit au col de Porte, en gîte, en chambre multiple.
6h30 walk / Elevation : + 1200 m ; - 700 m without the summit of Pinea /15km
7h30 walk / Elevation : + 1300 m ; - 800 m by the summit of Pinea / 16km

Day 6

CHAMECHAUDE - LE SAPPEY
Ascent of the highest summit in Charteuse, the very famous route of the Grenoble inhabitants, in every season from the sunrise to the sunset! Large viewpoint on the massif, Belledonne, Ecrins, Mont Blanc... The descent allows to reach the little village of Le Sappey. Last night on the village of Le Sappey, in a multiple room.
5h30 walk / Elevation : +800 m ; -1150 m / 11km

Day 7

SAINT EYNARD - LA BASTILLE - GRENOBLE
After an early morning ridge walk the itinerary attacks the forts of Grenoble! First the Saint-Eynard, perched on the cliffs of Chartreuse, which dominates the whole valley of Grésivaudan, then a passage in caves leads to the fort of Bastille, at the doors of Grenoble. The last descent between the gardens and fortifications allows a smooth arrival in the capital of the Alps.
6h00 walk / Elevation : +600 m ; -1400 m / 15km

End of the tour in Grenoble during the afternoon.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.

Personalised tour available, contact us...

The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 600m - 1200m approximately per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: this tour is not technically difficult. Some variant paths require attention.

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 2 IGN TOP 25 with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

All the paths are well-marked, a part of the trek takes the GR9. You must know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Two options:
without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.
with baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily by our logistics vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC: 3 nights in dormitory, in gîtes.
3 nights in hoetl, in rooms.
All accommodation has hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops.

CURRENCY

During the stages of your tour in Switzerland, Euros are widely accepted and it is not essential to carry Swiss Francs.

FITNESS LEVEL

Ability to easily walk 20km (on the flat) in a maximum of 4 hours. 
If this is not the case, we recommend that you train during the three weeks prior to departure, for example running 4-5km or hiking/cycling 3-4 hours, 2 to 3 times per week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

IGN Top 25 - 3333 OT - Chartreuse Nord and Top 25 - 3334 OT - Chartreuse Sud (1/25 000)

Practical information

DEPART

From mid June to mid September.
Daily departure (except on Sundays).

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Bus transfer from Chambéry train station at 12:30 pm.

BY TRAIN
Direct TGV from Paris 
Local trains from Grenoble, Lyon...
Timetables must be checked on www.oui.sncf

BY CAR
Meet at 1:15 pm at the Col du Granier if you have the luggage transport option.
Take the A43 motorway to Chambéry and continue to the highway exit 20 direction Saint Badolph. Then follow the D12 road to the Col du Granier. Large free parking at the pass.

CAR-SHARING                                                                                                                               
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some websites:   www.blablacar.fr  www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
2 hour by car to Chambéry.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
1h15 by car to Chambéry.
Train every 2 hours to Chambéry, 4h15 journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chambéry.

End point during the afternoon at Grenoble train station, regular trains to get back to Chambéry.

RETURNING TO DEPARTURE POINT

At the end of the tour the return to the departure point at Chambéry is easy by the train (~25€). Buses at 12.30pm and 6.20pm from the station if you have left your car at the Col du Granier.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

By request we can book a night before/after the trek.
Chambéry : https://www.chamberymontagnes.com/hebergements/hotels/
Grenoble : https://www.residhotel.com/residence/grenoble-le-central-gare/

CONTACT US                                                                                            

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
  • Pair of gloves and a warm hat
  • Sun hat or baseball cap
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
  • 1 change of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
  • Survival blanket
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 3) *** add in if days with no baggage*** between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.

CHARTREUSE MASSIF self-guided

From 575 €
Contact us
Secure payment Secure payment

Discover more hikes

TOUR DES GLACIERS DE LA VANOISE self-guided

TOUR DES GLACIERS DE LA VANOISE...

  • Duration : 6 days
  • Self-guided / without a guide
GRANDE TRAVERSEE DES ALPES self-guided - 2nd section

GRANDE TRAVERSEE DES ALPES...

  • Duration : 7 days
  • Self-guided / without a guide
VERDON NATURAL PARK self-guided

VERDON NATURAL PARK self-guided

  • Duration : 6 days
  • Self-guided / without a guide
MYSTERIES OF THE VERCORS self-guided

MYSTERIES OF THE VERCORS self-guided

  • Duration : 7 days
  • Self-guided / without a guide

Need some
information?

Find a
hike

Abonnez-vous à notre Newsletter...

Et recevez toutes nos offres et actualités !

Newletter Altitude Montblanc
Voir notre dernière newsletter