Chartreuse trek: 5-day hike through peaks, pastures and heritage

We meet at 8:30am to break the ice and go over the final details before setting off. Backpacks on, we head toward the charming village of Corbel, tucked beneath the Pointe de Thivelet with its stunning view over the cliffs of Roche Veyrand. The atmosphere is already wild and peaceful.

We then cross the Guiers Vif and climb gently toward mysterious castle ruins. It's the perfect spot for our very first picnic with a view, surrounded by alpine silence.

In the afternoon, we dive into the forest for one last stretch until our cosy mountain gîte welcomes us. It's the perfect time to relax, share the highlights of the day and enjoy a well-earned local snack or a cold beer with the group.

Day one and already a taste of freedom.

After breakfast, we lace up and head towards the col to reach one of the iconic peaks of the massif. The path begins in the forest before opening up onto wide mountain pastures, where flocks of sheep often graze in summer. It's the perfect setting to talk about encounters with patous and how to behave around them.

If the legs are still willing and the group’s energy is high, we may push further towards the Grand Som, one of the highest peaks in the area. From its summit at over 2000 metres, the view of the Grande Chartreuse monastery is absolutely breathtaking.

Alternatively, we might decide to approach the mountain differently and pass by the monastery itself. Founded in 1084, this spiritual stronghold is the mother house of the Carthusian monks and a place steeped in history, now classified as a historic monument.

Whichever route we choose, we return to the village in the afternoon with the feeling of having crossed both alpine ridges and centuries of heritage.

Today is the big one. A full day of effort and elevation, with one of the Chartreuse’s legendary peaks in our sights. If the weather is on our side, we will tackle a majestic ascent that becomes steeper with every step, bringing us closer to the sky.

As we gain altitude, we enter the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve, a wild and protected area stretching from Mont Granier to the Dent de Crolles. This vast plateau is home to marmots, chamois and even ibex. With a bit of luck, we might catch a glimpse of this iconic wildlife.

Up there, the silence is powerful and the views seem to stretch forever. We take the time to soak it all in before beginning our descent and returning to the gîte in the late afternoon with tired legs, full lungs and stars in our eyes.

A little more distance awaits us on this fourth day, but with gentler elevation gain. The wide high plateaux are perfect for long strides and deep breaths, offering a different rhythm that invites contemplation.

As we move across this vast alpine landscape, we are likely to encounter herds grazing peacefully. This area is a major pastoral zone in the massif and a perfect setting to explore the stories of the land. From the traditional haberts to the sculpted lapiaz, from fascinating geology to the traces of wildlife, there is no shortage of things to observe and share along the way.

And for those who feel like it, this is also a perfect day to let the silence settle in and enjoy a walking meditation. We end the day with a beautiful descent through a natural cirque before returning to our gîte for a warm final evening together.

Will we still have the strength in our legs for one final ascent? We set off from the village in the morning, following the flow of the Cozon. Depending on the group's energy, we may climb one last summit or instead wander through the hamlets of Les Entremonts, each with its own charm and story to tell.

Whatever the route, it is the perfect way to close the loop and soak up one last dose of this magnificent valley before reaching the car park in the mid-afternoon. And if you love cheese, make sure to stop by the dairy cooperative before hitting the road again. It would be a shame to leave without a taste of local flavour.