Loop through Chartreuse Natural Park with gîte accommodation

Average elevation gain: 710m, Maximum: 1030m
Average distance: 15km, Maximum: 19km
Average time: 5 h15, Maximum: 6 h 30
The pace is slow and steady, with discovery prioritized over athletic challenge. If you experience any difficulties, it will always be possible to cover a stage by vehicle (which transfers luggage) and rejoin the group in the evening (cost of this transfer is your responsibility).

Luggage transported by our vehicle. You carry only a daypack with essentials and the midday meal, which is shared between everyone.
During the week, we ask that you have one bag per person that is not too bulky (60 cm maximum), weighing no more than 10kg.
We accept no responsibility whatsoever for damage to fragile items (such as laptops, for example).

Accommodation

Dormitories of 4 to 10 people:

Bathroom facilities are generally on the floor above.

Beds are equipped with duvets or blankets. A sleeping sheet is recommended for the night.

Day 1: Mountain lodge, mixed-gender dormitory accommodation. It is in the hamlet of La Diat that Caroline and Florian, a warm young couple, embarked on a new adventure by taking over this accommodation.
Day 2: Mountain lodge, in rooms of 3 to 5 people. Mountain accommodation at Col de Porte, at 1300mm altitude.
Day 3: Mountain lodge, mixed-gender dormitory accommodation, located in the hamlet of La Diat.
Day 4: La Scia lodge, accommodation in rooms of 2 to 4 people. The lodge is situated at 1600mm altitude and offers spectacular views over the entire Chartreuse.
Day 5: Lodge inn, accommodation in rooms of 2 to 5 people. The chalet is situated at the foot of the waterfalls of Cirque de Saint Même.
Day 6: Mountain lodge in the hamlet of la Plagne, rooms for 3 to 4 people.

All accommodations provide toilet linens.

No possibility of individual rooms.

Meals

Dinner and breakfast are prepared by our hosts. The meals served are balanced and varied. The cuisine is hearty, traditional, and suited to hikers' needs.

Leadership

State-qualified mountain guide, specialist in Chartreuse.

6 to 12 people

Meeting point / Dispersal

Start

Day 1 at 10:45 in front of Chambéry Challes les Eaux railway station if you are coming by train (transfer by reservation at registration) or at 11:30 in front of the Tourist Office of Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont if you are coming by car. Please let us know at registration.

End

Day 7 around 16:30 at Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont or at 18:00 at Chambéry Challes les Eaux railway station.

Guide gratuities are optional and at your discretion. To reward outstanding service, a suggested guideline is 5–10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred.

Train access

Chambéry Challes les Eaux railway station.

Round-trip transfer from Chambéry station – Saint-Pierre-d’Entremont to be reserved at registration 20 € / person

Bus access

We recommend comparing the cost and schedules of different access modes to the circuit starting point using the website www.comparabus.com. This site will offer you other options for the same route such as flights, train, bus, or ride-sharing.

Car access

To go from Chambéry to St Pierre d’Entremont: From motorway A 41 north of Chambéry, take the direction “Massif de la Chartreuse” via D 912. Cross the Col du Granier and descend to St Pierre d’Entremont.

To go from Lyon to St Pierre d’Entremont: Exit motorway A 43 (Lyon-Chambéry), exit 10 (Les Abrets). Take the direction Massif de Chartreuse via Pont de Beauvoisin (D82) and Les Echelles (N6). Then take St Pierre d’Entremont (D 520c).

Vallée des Entremonts Tourist Office. Route planner: www.viamichelin.fr

Parking

You can park your vehicle freely in one of the village car parks, except at the Tourist Office car park (market on Saturdays).

Air access

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport Lyon Saint-Exupéry: www.lyonaeroports.com Daily connections to Chambéry: www.altibus.com

A number of our trips lend themselves to swimming, during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it. However, we emphasize that you are the sole judges of the appropriateness of swimming; these swimming activities are therefore undertaken at your own responsibility and risk.

Member of Responsible Tourism Action (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle is a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike, on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

Present on the board of directors since 2018, we actively contribute to advancing sector practices towards greater purpose. In practical terms, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Protection of the environment on each of our stays

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to adopt simple gestures to protect the places visited and foster meaningful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle is recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices regarding the environment, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We are actively pursuing our progression towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy.

In this section you will find links to products from our partner Alpinstore, a French e-commerce site specializing in outdoor equipment, based in Annecy.

The Principles
For the upper body, the principle of 3 layers allows you to manage virtually all situations:

• a long-sleeved base layer in breathable material (hollow fiber)
• a warm fleece jacket
• a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket (Gore-tex type)

While walking in calm fair weather, the base layer may be enough. In rainy, snowy, or windy conditions, simply add the waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, the fleece jacket is an essential addition. Choose clothing that dries quickly and therefore avoid cotton. Prefer wool, silk, and synthetic fibers that help you stay dry and warm for as long as possible. Remember to cover up before you get cold, but above all, remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is the hiker’s enemy, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes cold during breaks. Therefore, it is very rare to climb while wearing a fleece jacket.

To Carry Your Belongings

• A comfortable backpack of 30 to 50 L with hip belt to carry your personal belongings and lunch during the day
• Support baggage: a backpack, a travel bag in good condition, or a not-too-bulky suitcase. One bag per person; limited to 10 kg

Discover in our Magazine how to pack your hiking backpack properly.

Hiking Clothing and Equipment

• 1 sun hat or cap
• Hiking boots that support the ankle, featuring a good tread sole, a heel counter and good waterproofing
• 1 scarf
• Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferably (1 for 2 to 3 days hours of hiking)
• 1 long-sleeved base layer in breathable material or a shirt
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex jacket with hood
• 1 rain cape or rain cover if you have the jacket above
• 1 wide-fit trekking trousers
• 1 shorts or bermudas
• Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days hours of hiking) Choose wool or hiking-specific socks. Avoid cotton to prevent blisters
• Underwear
• 1 swimming suit (optional)
• 1 comfortable trousers for the evening
• 1 pair of lightweight leisure shoes for the evening
• Early and late season (May-June and September-October), it may be useful to also have gaiters, gloves and beanie
• Walking poles (telescopic), very important to facilitate walking. Discover all the benefits of trekking poles in our dedicated article or how to choose your trekking poles
• A large plastic bag to protect the inside of your backpack
• 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses
• A water bottle (1,5 litre minimum)
• 1 pocket knife such as Opinel
• 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) for your money, identity card, health insurance card and travel assistance contract
• Toiletries (choose essentials only, small sizes, samples and travel kits)
• 1 quick-drying towel
• Earplugs or ear plugs (optional)
• Toilet paper + 1 lighter
• Sunscreen + lip balm
• Airtight plastic container (capacity 0,5 l minimum) + cup + cutlery
• 1 headlamp or flashlight
• 1 emergency blanket
• A pair of poles is recommended
• A sleeping bag
• Camera, binoculars (optional)

Note: Technical synthetic clothing is very effective. New merino wool clothing has also appeared; it is very effective and pleasant to wear, and has the advantage of not developing sweat odors! In general, avoid cotton, which cools when wet.

Personal pharmacy

• Your usual medications
• Pain relief medication: paracetamol preferably
• Throat lozenges
• Elastic adhesive band, type Elastoplast 8 cm wide
• Sets of adhesive plasters + disinfectant wipes
• Blister treatment (such as Compeed or SOS blisters)
• 1 tweezers

Find these tips in our article “what to pack for hiking”.

Chartreuse Regional Natural Park: www.parc-chartreuse.net

GALLIMARD Chartreuse Guide
The Chartreuse Guide, Jean Billet, Manufacture Editions.
The Great Chartreuse by a Carthusian, 14th edition, SADAG printing in Bellegarde (01).
“Wandering Savoy”, Volume 2, , Jean-Marie JEUDY, Glénat Editions
“Chartreuse in Small Steps”, Bruno Carcassonne, The Spirit of the Glaciers Edition
ALPES MAGAZINE n°5, “Chartreuse wild nature” p 26
ALPES MAGAZINE n°12, “1903: expelling the Carthusians”.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°40, “The Alpine Parks” p 62
ALPES MAGAZINE n°64, “Chartreuse, a mountain Vatican” p 42.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°67, “Granier like a disaster film” p 22.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°70, “The Monastery of the Great Chartreuse” p 68.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°75, “From Chambéry to Die, a duo of plateaus” p 84.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°82, “Chartreuse Nature Park, a foretaste of the Alps” p 84.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°83 “Chambéry, the discreet ducal city”, p 72.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°96, “The odyssey of the first alpinists: Aulp du Seuil” p 22.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°107, Chartreuse special issue.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°114 “Chambéry, profile of an ideal square” p 44.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°131, « Grenoble, base camp of the mountain », p 70.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°134, « Alpine monasteries, people and places », p 28.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°152, « Chartreuse, the vertical elixir », p 58.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°157, « Chartreuse, the mountain in its natural state », p 16.
ALPES MAGAZINE n°182, « Chartreuse, a refuge facing eternity », p 76.

1 / 50000 Didier Richard “Chartreuse-Belledonne-Maurienne”
1 / 25000 IGN 3334 OT Chartreuse Massif South
1 / 25000 IGN 3333 OT Chartreuse Massif North