Chapareillan: Hiking, Vineyards and Alpine Views

Chapareillan lies within the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve. Hiking, winegrowing and visits to local artisans offer different ways to spend your stay. The trails vary in length and format; Bellecombe adds alpine panoramas and castle ruins to the options. When planning, you can weigh up whether to focus on a stage, a circular hike or a visit to the local workshop.

On foot in the nature reserve

The Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve is accessible only on foot. Some trails are closed for safety reasons: the cliff-edge trail along the north face of Mont Granier, direct access to the cross, and the path to Pas de la Porte. Before setting out on a hike, check the latest notices if any of these sections are relevant to your plans. General access on foot does not override these specific closures.

A stage or a circular hike?

The fourth stage of the GR®965 runs from Col de Marcieu to Chapareillan (Bellecombe). It is 21.3 km long, with 731 m of ascent and 1,121 m of descent. The Bellecombette is laid out differently: this circular hike on the slopes of Chapareillan is 5.6 km long, with 171 m of elevation change. This lets you compare a stage between named locations with a circular hike; the route format is a planning consideration in its own right, alongside distance. For the GR®965, ascent and descent are listed separately, while the Bellecombette figure is the elevation change. These figures therefore describe different measurements and should not be read as a like-for-like comparison of elevation. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Panoramas and history in Bellecombe

The Bellecombe viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Belledonne range, the Grésivaudan Valley, Mont Blanc and the surrounding Alpine massifs. The ruins of the castle in Bellecombe also lie along one stage of the GR®965. The panorama and ruins offer different points of interest: the viewpoint opens up views of the surrounding area, while the castle ruins mark a historic site along the stage.

Winegrowing and local visits

Chapareillan is one of the five municipalities in the Chartreuse Park that together cover the entire winegrowing area of the Apremont and Abymes Crus. Both Crus belong to the Vins de Savoie AOC family, which has been recognized as a controlled designation of origin since 1973. Winegrowing is also a feature of the Bellecombette circular hike, which invites you to discover the vineyards producing Savoie wines. This connects the local winegrowing landscape with a specific hike.

Nature en Bulles offers visits to its soap-making workshop in Chapareillan by appointment. Be sure to arrange an appointment before your visit. Four other local artisans display their work in the artisan boutique; participation may change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier, Moissieu-Sur-Dolon, Saint-Didier-De-La-Tour, Le Pont-De-Beauvoisin, Nantes-en-Ratier, Saint-Pierre-D'allevard, Monestier-De-Clermont, Grenoble

For the broader travel overview: Isere.