Forests and lakes in the Belledonne balconies

Step by step

From the parking lot, follow the road for 200 m up to the "Montchaffrey" sign. Turn left onto the Chemin de l'Oeilly, which rises through the forest and joins a wide track. Shortly after the "Fontaine du Mulet" signpost, turn off onto a downhill path and continue along a small road that leads to the site of the former Chartreuse de Prémol [Ruins and forest house, place to relax and picnic].

Continue until you reach the Chamrousse road (D111). Follow it for 80m and turn left (caution) onto a path that rises above the road, intersects it higher up [caution] and leads to the "l'Exutoire" post. [It is possible to walk around Lac Luitel on a discovery trail passing by the Maison du Parc 400m to the south. Follow the Nature Reserve regulations and the instructions on the site]. From here, the route follows the GR®738 Haute Traversée de Belledonne for over 5 km on a wide forest track.

Shortly after the baraque Pagnot, turn right onto a downhill path. Turn left under the high-voltage power line. The fairly steep path leads out of the forest to the Col de la Madeleine [orientation table for panoramic views stretching from Taillefer to Vercors]. Continue right on the track between meadows to the "La Croisée" post, where you leave the GR®738 and turn right towards Montchaffrey.

At the "Chenevier" post, turn right onto a very stony track, pass the millstone, a vestige of the Chenevier mill, and climb up to reach a beautiful path lined with large stones with a view of Montchaffrey. Reach the parking lot.