Fri, 11 October 2013
Vertical Climbed: 560 meters (1,837 feet)
Rating: 2
This route is in the Chartreuse Regional Park behind the small town of Crolles about 20km north of Grenoble. It forms a dumbell. Starting from the Montford Funiculair Railway ride past the little housing estate of Le Coteau in the direction of Crolles. Pick up the Chemin de Chateau that passes behind houses. This zig-zags up to a gate. Take the track left just after the gate or continue to have a look at the Chateau Robert (ruins - XIIIth century)
Follow the singletrack towards les Tailloux. The single joins a jeep track, at the first left hand hairpin continue straight ahead on a single, at the bottom turn right and head towards Platre Magny. Just before the Crolles river turn left to join the a road and climb to towards the Cascade de Crolles. At the cascade continue to the south on a mix of single and jeep track to the Chemin de Berger, climb this to the viewpoint (les Gros Chenes) and descend by a single and steps follow more or less the same route back. At Platre Magny it is more interesting to immediately cross to the left bank of the river and descend some steps. At Pt 317m (IGN Map) you can take a single that climbs to the left, over a gorge with a narrow bridge and then descend to les Tailloux. The desent from the Chateau de Montfort is steep and slippy, but doable.
- you can climb to the Crolles Waterfall although these usually only flow in spring. It is best to cross over a small bridge here and climb some stairs to the road.
Continue in the direction of Craponoz but rather than descend to Craponoz take a right turn at the junction to climb to a wood knows as les Gros Chenes (the big oaks) you eventuall reach the highpoint of the route at 444 meters. Here the unmetalled road turns into a singletrack with a couple of stairs which the more technically proficient may be able to take on their bikes. You eventually rejoin the route to Platre-Magny. Here you descend the metalled road about 50 meters passed a big white house on the right, the path is on the left crossing over the stream. At Tamoux it is better to stay on the road than to try and reclimb the singletrack. Finally at Le Coteau follow the Chemin des Chateaux. The descent from the Chateau is very steep, pass behind a reservoir building to rejoin the funiculair.
Comments on route: Parking: Montfort Funiculaire - watch out for thieves, do not leave anything in the car. Mountain Range : Chartreuse, France Map : Carte IGN TOP 25 3334 OT Chartreuse Sud
Access: Autoroute A41, Crolles exit. Pass through Crolles center to park at funicular railway.
Equipment: Any mountain bike is ok.
Country: France Area: Chartreuse Trailhead: Crolles