Fri, 20 December 2013
Vertical Climbed: 470 meters (1,542 feet)
Vertical Descended: 470 meters
You can start at either the Col de Marcieu, there is a trail from the top of the sledging slope or from les Fontanettes just before the Col. You can buy tickets at the Col d Marcieu only. From the col the trails climbs 220 meters over 3km with a grade of 6%. Another 4.5km, flattish at first then a bit steeper on a technical trail and you arrive at the ski slopes of St Hilaire du Touvet. You can traverse these to the car park at the old Sanotorium (now demolished) but the last few hundred meters isn't officially pisted.
The return is a bit easier, a climb of 160 meters over 4km at some 4%. When you reach the crossroads of the Combe Noire trail you can either take this or redescend to the start. The combe Noire adds another 65 meters of climbing over 1.5km with some nasty ramps, particularly at the start. There is then a switch-back descent to the Herse trail which some might find a bit hard.
Comments on route: Tough trail usually pisted for classic and skate skiing from December to March.
Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Col de Marcieu
Description: A hard loop from the Combe Noire. Rairly pisted.