Hiking Collection by Julien Harté
Crossing the Chartreuse – History in the making
5 days
5-8 h/day
94.8km
5,540m
5,500m
The history of the Chartreuse massif goes back several million years. Ammonite fossils, scattered throughout its reserves, bear witness to the first signs of life. Human settlement dates back to the Middle Palaeolithic before becoming more permanent in the Neolithic period. During the Gallo-Roman period, it was surrounded by beautiful villas, before the monks of the Chartreux order settled here in the 11th century. The founding of the Grande Chartreuse monastery influenced its development. Livestock farming shaped the landscape, while the beginnings of industry and road networks made the area an attractive place to settle for many. Today, the Carthusian Order plays a major role in the area, particularly through the production of liqueur.
This Collection takes you on a five-day tour of the Chartreuse. All the stages offer easily accessible accommodation. From hotels and inns to campsites and gîtes, there's no shortage of options. You can also bivouac, although tents are prohibited in July and August. However, you can still bivouac under the stars in authorised areas. Make sure you respect nature and leave no trace.
All along the route, there are magnificent panoramic views of the massif's iconic peaks, linked together by beautiful natural settings. Meanwhile, the authentic, welcoming villages tell you all about its history. The ideal time to embark on this adventure is from June to October, to avoid snow on the highest parts.
Grenoble, the capital of the Alps, is the starting point for this Collection. With its mix of history, sport and nature, it's a city full of treasures. Situated at the foot of the Vercors, Taillefer, Belledonne and Chartreuse mountain ranges, it’s a delight for lovers of the great outdoors.
"If there's a small town in the world where you can taste the sweetness of life, it's Chambéry", is how Jean-Jacques Rousseau described the destination. Both towns have railway stations that provide daily links between them, as well as direct access to the Paris-Lyon-Marseille axis.
All that's left for me to do is to wish you a wonderful adventure as you discover this exceptional massif!
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Grenoble to Chambéry – crossing the Chartreuse
87.2km
4,720m
4,660m
Last updated: November 21, 2024
Do it yourself!
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
1. Stage 1: Grenoble to Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse – crossing the Chartreuse
17.1km
07:16
1,400m
620m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
2. Stage 2: Sappey-en-Chartreuse to Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse – crossing the Chartreuse
21.3km
07:58
1,010m
1,150m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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3. Stage 3: Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse to Saint-Même – crossing the Chartreuse
19.5km
08:06
1,210m
1,220m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4. Stage 4: Saint-Même to Entremont-le-Vieux – crossing the Chartreuse
14.9km
05:57
1,050m
1,080m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5. Stage 5: Entremont-le-Vieux to Chambéry – crossing the Chartreuse
22.0km
07:30
870m
1,430m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Collection Stats
Activities
5
Distance
94.8 km
Duration
36:47 h
Elevation
5,540 m
5,500 m
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