Chartreuse hiking trips

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Estelle Torterotot

Travel expert in France and Switzerland

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Cassandre Dufour

Travel expert in France, Switzerland and Italy.

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Emilie Barrand

Product Manager Assistant France

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Chartreuse is one of the Pre-Alps massifs of the north, between Grenoble and Chambéry. It is a limestone area of medium altitude (4 peaks only slightly exceed 2000m) made up of peaks (Chamechaude, Grand Som,…) with high cliffs, large gutter-shaped plateaus to the east, and two deep canyons to the west. It resembles its neighbours a little, Vercors to the south, and the Bauges, to the north.

Upon entering Chartreuse, one is immediately struck by the contrast between the bustling life of the large cities surrounding it and the peaceful countryside of its villages, forests and mountain pastures. The welcome is simple and warm, the cheeses delicious… It is an oasis, emerald in summer, pristine in winter.

Bruno and his monks were not mistaken when they settled in 1084 in the remote valley where one can admire today the remarkable architectural complex of the Grande Chartreuse. And indeed in this massif, the heritage is religious, since more recently, painter and sculptor Arcabas created in the Saint Hugues church a very original sacred art ensemble, absolutely worth seeing.

If we stay within culture, Chartreuse also finds itself between Stendhal, the Grenoble native, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who chose to reside for a time on the foothills of the massif, above Chambéry.

For the rest, the trails await you, on foot or with snowshoes. You will have a choice between quieter and meditative hikes in the forest and along streams, complemented by wellness sessions at the Oréade centre in St Pierre, or more sporty itineraries across ridges, mountain pastures and high plateaus, with magnificent views of the great Alps.

An approachable and charming massif, Chartreuse offers you journeys like a great breath of fresh air. Make the most of it!