Laval: Hiking, Winter Sports and Cultural Heritage

The hiking area of Laval-en-Belledonne stretches from the lower slopes to the highest peaks of Belledonne. Hiking is possible here year-round and at all difficulty levels. One access point to the Haute Traversée de Belledonne, the GR® 738, is at the Habert d’Aiguebelle. If you are planning a hike on the long-distance trail, check route conditions before setting out.

Hiking trails, lake and orienteering

Another hike leads from Pont de la Betta to Lac de Crop. Along the way, you pass the Torrent du Muret and Cascade des Avoux before reaching the lake. Lac de Crop is a glacial mountain lake; from there, views extend to the Chartreuse, Dent de Crolles, Granier and Massif des 7 Laux. The hike brings together a range of landscape features: a stream and waterfall lie along the way to the mountain lake, while the surrounding mountain ranges shape the view at the destination.

There is also a permanent orienteering course in the lower part of the municipality. It offers an introduction to orienteering and combines the activity with discovering the area’s cultural heritage. Maps are available from the town hall or the grocery store. As local distribution options may change, it is advisable to check in advance.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking

The Domaine Nordique de Beldina offers around 20 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and around 10 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails. Most of the trails are in the Pré-de-l’Arc sector of Laval-en-Belledonne. Operating conditions vary by season. The reception chalet issues ski passes, rents equipment and serves light meals; check which of these seasonal services are available before your visit.

Mountain biking is also one of the designated activities: dedicated facilities and markings have been created for it in Laval-en-Belledonne. The Bike’Arc Trail Center is in the Pré de l’Arc area and can be reached via Route du Pré de l’Arc. Access may vary by season. Those who prefer climbing will find 15 routes on gneiss at the Site d’escalade de la Betta. The climbing area is above the Torrent du Muret; the routes are between 20 and 30 metres high. Check current access conditions before planning a specific climbing trip.

Historic buildings and sacred art

The Tour de Montfallet has been a listed monument since 19 May 1937, and the Église Saint-Étienne since 2 June 2009. The church contains the Alleman family burial chapel. Hanging on its wall is an oil painting of the Virgin Mary, 7.45 metres wide and 4.75 metres high: more than 300 people find shelter beneath her outstretched cloak. The Vierge au manteau mural can be visited during the Journées du patrimoine and by request. Check whether a visit is possible before you arrive.

The Chapelle des Alleman has a 15th-century fresco and is part of the municipality’s protected historic heritage. In the Chapelle Sainte-Gertrude, a Romanesque arch separates the choir from the nave; the ceilings feature painted wooden panelling. The chapel is believed to date from the 14th century. One historical interpretation links it to a pilgrimage from Rome to Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye via Mont Cenis, the Maurienne and Pas de la Coche; according to this tradition, Prabert was a stopping point. This refers to a historical connection, not a currently designated hiking route.

Mining history and industrial heritage

At Place de la Boutière, information panels tell the story of life and work in the former mine. Restored masts, cables, ore buckets and pulleys from former mining sites can also be seen there in a landscaped area with tables and benches. The site was inaugurated on 21 September 2024; check its condition on site.

Another chapter in the region’s history of technology is the Centrale de Loury, also known as Bas-Laval. Maurice Bergès built it in 1906 in a narrow gorge above the Ruisseau de Laval. The structure includes a hydroelectric power station carved into the rock, housing turbo-generators. The facility is considered evidence of the development of the white coal industry in the Grésivaudan Valley, at the foot of the Belledonne range, from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Its location in the gorge and difficult access contribute to its heritage value.

Discover more destinations: Merlas, Izeaux, Autrans, Villard-Reculas, Nantes-en-Ratier, Poliénas, Saint-Egrève, Saint-Pierre-De-Chartreuse.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.