Fri, 25 December 2015
Vertical Climbed: 887 meters (2,910 feet)
Rating: 2
From the town hall in les Pres take a metalled road through the village direction Croix de l'Alpe. After 100 m by a fire hydrant and reservoir follow a small path to the left (NW) past a house. This climbs steeply. After about 300 meters it enters woods then crosses first one track then shortly after another (this is the road to the summer parking at Pre Orcel). It continues steeply through the woods, at the next track you have to walk a few meters up hill to recover the path then on a further track crossing you walk 100 meters down the track. All the time follow the yellow markings. Finally you arrive at the summer parking at 1410 meters. Cross the parking to find another path that leads directly to the Cabane d'Allier and from here, after a zig and zag you traverse on a flat path beneath the col de Belles Ombres to a final couloir with a path leading up the right bank 100 vertical meters below the summit. Climb to the Col de l'Alpe (1793m) then the summit marked by Savoie/France boundary stones and a cross (1821m). There are views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountain ranges at the summit.
Comments on route: Short hike, 416 m from the summer parking at Pré Orcel, 887 m from les Prés to the heart of the nature reservice of the Hauts de Chartreuse. Popular with families in the summer. Best in spring (April/May). Possible with snow shoes in winter or MTB as far as the final 100 meter climb to the summit but following the main track.
Access: Grenoble/Chambery autoroute. Le Touvet exit -> St Vincent -> La Flachere -> D282 -> les Pres.
Equipment: Walking shoes or even trainers ok.
Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Les Prés
Description: On the traverse to the Croix des Alpes, about 150 meters before the final climb there is a little steep valley with the traces of a path. Follow this to the Col des Belles Ombres then climb south to the Croix d'Alpe. (see gpx)
Rating: 2
Orientation: North
