Distance
8.5km
Elevation
700m
Duration
4h30
Difficulty Level
Difficult

Hike description

Type

Signposted roundtrip

Altitude

Max : 1937m

The audience

  • Walkers/hikers

Introduction

This round-trip itinerary offers incomparable panoramic views of the Trièves and surrounding mountains: the Vercors, Obiou and Écrins.

Further information on this Hiking Trail

Yellow signs (PR)

Tricky passes

The balcony path above the cliffs, after the Col de la Brèche to the guards' hut, requires particular attention. Even if this path is wide enough, there is a risk of falling for around 300m, on ground that can be slippery after bad weather. The round-trip option is therefore more suitable for families.

Map reference

Carte IGN Série bleue 3337 O

Hiking Topo Guides

D038 L’Isère… à pied® 2023

Other information

Adaptez votre équipement en fonction de votre niveau et de la météo. Ne pas quitter les sentiers.

Useful information

Facilities

  • Car park

Access

  • Not accessible in a wheelchair

Step by step

1. From the parking lot ("Baret" post, 1280 m), take the forest path towards Le Châtel (-> also called Bonnet de Calvin because of its characteristic shape). Cross the fir grove to join a forest track in a bend at the "Granges de Châtel" posts (1,390 m).

2. A few metres further on, take the path on the left, which climbs steadily. Rejoin the forest track and continue to its terminal platform. The trail continues with a few steep staircase sections and reaches the ridge at the "Le Châtel" post (1,890 m).

3. Reach the summit of Bonnet de Calvin to the right along a path through the meadow. It is marked by a milestone (1,937 m).

4. Go back down to the crossroads (point 3) and continue on to the orientation table.

5. Return by the same route as the outward journey.

Location

38710 Mens

Parking du Petit-Châtel 5 km east of Mens, 63 km south of Grenoble via D 1075 and D 34. UTM coordinates: 31 T 0720663 4966860

Latitude : 44.821031

Longitude : 5.791079

Altitude : 1937m