Chantelouve: Hiking, Alder Forest and Mountain History

Chantelouve offers several distinct reasons to visit: a challenging out-and-back hike, a moderately difficult loop trail, a mountain hut at high altitude, and a farm visit with an insight into processing and tasting. The geological significance of the Faille du Col d’Ornon and the history of forestry work also shape the local themes. When choosing what to explore, it is therefore worth first asking whether you would like to focus on trails, forest, geology or regional produce.

Hikes: Compare Route Types and Difficulty

The Le lac du Vallon hike starts and ends in Les Bosses in Chantelouve. This challenging out-and-back route is 14.1 km long, with 1,374 metres of elevation gain and 1,374 metres of descent. The Forêt des Roudons loop is shorter, at 8.1 km, with 490 metres of elevation gain, and is rated moderately difficult. The routes therefore differ in type, length, elevation gain and difficulty; these details can help you decide how substantial a hike you want. Trail conditions and access for Le lac du Vallon may change seasonally. Check the latest information before setting out.

Water, Glaciers and Alpine Geology

On the Le lac du Vallon route, the trail follows a waterfall flowing down from the lake, then reaches terrain shaped by glaciers. The watercourse and glacially shaped landscape give this hike distinct scenic qualities. The Faille du Col d’Ornon offers a different perspective on the Alps: this significant geological fault lies in the French Alps, within the territory of Chantelouve, Ornon and other municipalities. It has made important contributions to understanding how the Alps formed. Local points of interest thus include both the visible landforms along a route and the geological development of the region.

Alder Forest and Forestry History

The Forêt des Roudons loop passes through Europe’s largest alder forest. Along the way, you will also encounter dams and barriers built to curb erosion and protect against flooding. The forest landscape also reflects long-term work: forestry carried out to stabilise the soil has shaped it since the end of the 19th century. The loop therefore combines woodland and scenery with visible measures to prevent erosion and flooding. Compared with Le lac du Vallon, it offers a different hiking profile: a shorter, moderately rated loop through the alder forest rather than a challenging out-and-back route.

Farm Visit and Local Heritage

Cueillette des Sommets processes organically certified products on a farm at an altitude of 1,300 m, facing the peaks of the Écrins. A farm visit includes a tour of the plantings, an introduction to on-farm processing and a tasting of the farm’s own products. Confirm the arrangements for your visit before travelling. Alongside hiking and scenery, the processing of regional produce can therefore be a specific reason to visit.

Les Bosses is another starting point for a hiking destination: the trail to Cabane de Pissegui begins there, in Chantelouve. The hut is at an altitude of 2,350 m. As mountain conditions vary, take the latest conditions into account when planning your hike. Chantelouve’s cultural heritage also includes its well-known peddlers, known in French as colporteurs.

Discover more destinations: Chatte, Vertrieu, Saint-Just-Chaleyssin, Cordéac, Saint-Alban-Du-Rhône, Dolomieu, Chamrousse, Grenoble.

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