Traverse of the Chartreuse

Where is the Chartreuse?

The Massif de la Chartreuse is located in South-Eastern France between the city of Grenoble in the south and the Lac du Bourget, between Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains, to the north. The eastern edge of the range is delimited by the River Isère. To the south, between Grenoble and Voiron, the river flows through a gap which marks the southern limit of the massif. The Chartreuse has more than 1300km of marked footpaths, ranging from gentle strolls to the long-distance paths of the Tour de Chartreuse and the Traverse de la Chartreuse.

A Natural Regional Park

The Chartreuse was classed as a Natural Regional Park in 1995 and covers an area of 76,700 hectares, overlapping the departments of Isère and Savoie. The highest point is the summit of the Chamechaud (2082m). “Les Hauts de Chartreuse” (the “High Chartreuse”) are characterised by cliff-fringed mountains whose lower slopes are covered by extensive forests. They are home to roe deer, red deer, wild boar, mouflons and chamois. Ibex were re-introduced in 2010, and at the time of writing there are around 30 individuals, mainly in the Le Granier area. Above all it is a nature reserve, with restrictions in place to protect the flora, fauna and natural environment.

The Chartreuse is celebrated for…

The Chartreuse is world-famous for the liqueur of the same name originally produced by the Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse. The monks are from the Carthusian Order which was founded by St Bruno in 1084. The ‘green’ Chartreuse is strong – 55% – and is composed of alcohol, sugar and a close-guarded secret combination of 130 plant and flower extracts! It is typically drunk as a ‘digestif’. In 2014 this liqueur will have celebrated 250 years of existence. It’s not possible to visit the monastery itself, but at La Correrie, at the entrance to the valley, there’s a museum open to the public.

Day 1: Sarcenas to the Col de Porte

The traverse is probably best done South – North, leaving a vehicle in Chambéry (the start can be reached easily from Grenoble by taxi). The longest day’s walking is around 7 hours, with other stages typically being in the 5 – 6 hour range. The itinerary described gives six days of walking.

Leaving from Sarcenas, walking through snow-covered fields, allows you to take a path which leads up through forest to a ridge running between La Pinea and Montfromage (1662m). A loop back down brings you to the Col de Porte (1326m), and the possibility of overnight accommodation in the shadow of the Chamechaud.

Day 2: Col de la Porte to Saint Pierre de Chartreuse

From the Col de Porte a small road, closed in winter by snow, leads gently but steadily up to the alpine pastures below the Charmant Som (1867 m). Arriving at the pastures gives extensive views of the Chartreuse. A small oratoire welcomes you to this point, while a broad ridge leads to the Chalets de Charmant Som. The way now steepens up a spur which leads eventually to the summit of the Charmant Som, one of the stunning viewpoints of the onward journey.

In summer the GR path makes a descending traverse across the eastern face of the mountain but in winter this is not advised, the route crossing steep limestone slabs. The best option is to retrace your steps and to follow the approximate line of a summer path which begins near the Oratoire. Alternatively, by descending the line of the route to the Col de Porte, a broad gully clear of trees can be used to link up with the former path and the hamlet of Les Cottaves. Here contouring through fields brings you to Les Revols, where the path continues through pine woods. A final track leads down among occasional dwellings to Le Diat. From here a short walk leads to the centre of Saint Pierre de Chartreuse, with a range of shops and choice of accommodation.