What you will experience

Climb up to the Bastille from the Île Verte, pass through the historic casemates and enjoy a wide view of Grenoble, Belledonne and Mont-Blanc from the Mont-Jalla Memorial.

Follow the Saint-Eynard ridge with a 250m ascent.

Reach La Pinéa (1771 m), the Chartreuse's iconic peak, with a direct view of Chamechaude.

Descend technical trails in the Chartreuse forest, with posture videos and advice from your guide on how to adjust your stride.

On the way back, cross the Sagnes marsh: a protected wetland rich in orchids and peat bogs.

Recuperation in the mountain gîte with private sauna and hammam after the day's trail running.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 3
- D-·13kmm
  descent
- D+·450m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·450mkm
  KM covered
Meet in Grenoble at 1:30 p.m., leave your belongings in a safe place and then head off for your first trail session: urban warm-up and scouting out the Chartreuse massif. We'll run alongside the River Isère around the Île Verte before tackling the winding ascent to La Bastille on a wide path that's ideal for practising climbing techniques and managing your pace. We cross the casemates and the fort at La Bastille to enter the massif, then reach the Mont-Jalla memorial to get used to the visual cues (views of Grenoble, Vercors, Belledonne and Mont-Blanc) and learn about orientation and reading the terrain.

The descent alternates between wide paths and steep, narrow trails, where you practise descent techniques, support management and group dynamics.

Return to the town via a route close to the monuments, debrief over a drink to exchange sensations and technical advice and collect our gear.

Transfer by bus (30 min) to the gîte, settling in, meal prepared by the guide and group evening in our private gîte equipped with a spa room (sauna, hydro-massage shower, hammam).

2
DAY2/ 3
- D-·1140m
  descent
- D+·1140m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·18km
  KM covered
We start the day with a short descent from the gîte, followed by a 250m climb near the village slopes to reach the Saint-Eynard ridge, close to the Chamechaude mountain. The focus is on ridge technique: perfecting the use of poles on steep climbs and managing your footing on a playful ridge dotted with outcropping limestone rocks typical of the Chartreuse.

The traverse leads to the Col de l'Emeindras and its mountain pasture, an observation point for adjusting collective progress before entering the forest. In the wooded sections, we film your postures and strides on the way up and down for a viewing session and a technical return to the gîte. The path then becomes a forest track and descends, sometimes technically with small boulders, to the high meadows that complete the loop towards the village.

The gîte, which is private to the group, has a spa room (sauna and hydro-massage shower/hammam) for recuperation; after a short siesta, we review the videos and suggest individual training plans, making this day a practical workshop focusing on ridge control and the biomechanics of running.
3
DAY3/ 3
- D-·1180m
  descent
- D+·1180m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·20km
  KM covered
Last day dedicated to consolidation: departure from the Chartreuse gîte, climb steep forest paths to reach the Montfromage ridges and the village of Sarcenas. We cross the neighbouring col and then climb back up on a rolling track to the Col de Porte, an ideal sequence for working on pace management and consistency on rolling terrain. The rest of the route becomes steeper and more technical on footpaths and boulders up to the summit of La Pinéa (1771 m), a short out-and-back, the highest point of the course offering an unobstructed view of Chamechaude.
The descent is made in zigzags through the forest, with practical exercises in descent technique and managing your footing on sloping paths and roots. We return to the lower part of Sarcenas, then cross the Sagnes marshes before reaching Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, a route that combines ridges, valleys and wetlands.
Back to the gîte for a shower, a final debriefing on progress and training plans, bag packing and a bus transfer to Grenoble (expected arrival around 3.30pm).

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Vincent

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Hi, I'm Vincent, always ready to share my passion for the mountain environment! From hiking and trail walking to snowshoeing and bivouacking, I'll take you to experience the mountains in all seasons. Come along with me on a low-carbon adventure to marvel at and learn about the mountains! Hi, I'm Vincent, always ready to share my passion for the mountain environment! From hiking to trail running, including snowshoeing and bivouacking, I'll take you to experience the mountains in every season. Come roam with me to marvel at and connect with the mountains on a low-carbon adventure!

Find out more about Vincent

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be guided by an experienced guide with a passion for trail running and hiking.

Accommodation: You will spend 2 nights in a shared room (single beds) in a comfortable gite with a mountain atmosphere.

Meals: All meals are included from the first evening to the picnic on the last day. The gite has a tasty kitchen offering local meals to help you discover the specialities of the Chartreuse mountains.

Access to the gîte's sauna and steam room, reserved for group use only

Not included

Transport to the meeting point

Your personal consumption

Picnic on the first day

Everything that is not included in "what is included".

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This course is for fit people who are used to the mountains and want to improve their technique and endurance without remote isolation, guided by a coach.

You're at the right level if:

You run/hike 3 to 6 hours per day with 250 to 900 m of positive elevation gain depending on the day
Mixed trails: wide paths, sometimes technical ridgelines, rocky sections and narrow singletrack; no snow or glaciers
Nights in a comfortable mountain guesthouse with spa access; light autonomy, you carry only a daypack
Skills required: trail running, pole use on climbs and descent technique; no specialised technical gear
You're motivated to improve your technique and endurance without remote bivouacs

Getting there

Start · 13h30

Place Notre-Dame, Grenoble, in front of the entrance to the old bishop's palace museum

End · 15h30

Place de Lavalette, Grenoble, in front of the Grenoble Museum

Transport

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

The meeting point is directly in the centre of Grenoble, easily accessible from all the country's major railway stations.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

Car parks are available in Grenoble to leave your vehicle for the duration of the expedition.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.8/ 5 · based on 17 reviews in this category

David D.

L'accompagnateur était professionnel et super sympa ! Il a adapté les journées aux conditions météo, aux souhaits et aux niveaux des participants. Au-delà des aspects techniques, il nous a parlé de la culture, de l'histoire locale et nous a donné quelques anecdotes.

Patrick C.

Notre guide,,Violette, au top, dans son approche, la technique et la convivialité . Patrick C.

Bertrand E.

Très belle aventure que ce stage de trail dans les Vosges, et ceci grâce à Maxime qui est un super guide, très à l'écoute et qui a apporté à chacun de précieux conseils pour nous améliorer. Le lever du soleil avec les chamois, les soirées au refuge et les fous rires en visionnant les exploits de la journée resteront des moments inoubliables !

Caroline P.

Stage trail de 2 jours absolument parfait, avec un guide attentif à chacun.e en continu, très pro et très drôle. L'ambiance du groupe était très chouette et s'est créée naturellement. Le refuge du Sotré est très confortable, avec une vue exceptionnelle, et de bons petits déjeuners et repas.

Valérie R.

Une très belle expérience. L'équipe et la nourriture du Refuge du Sotré parfait. Notre guide Maxime au top ! De beaux souvenirs et plein de conseils. A renouveler. Valérie R. et toute la section athlétisme du club

Frequently asked questions

What equipment should I take with me?

In terms of equipment, you'll need to take the following with you: A running bag for a day or half-day outing. Hiking poles, water bottle or 2-litre water bag, waterproof windbreaker (if possible), warm technical running clothes, running trainers, buff, gloves and hat.

What's the difference between trail running and hiking?

When we set off on a trail ride, we run (when we can). Trail running is similar to classic hiking, with a faster pace (without running) and both positive and negative Ascent.

What will I learn on this trail course in the Chartreuse?

A course will help you avoid the mistakes that are often made when trail running in the mountains, particularly when it comes to managing your effort on climbs, downhill technique or positioning your feet on technical terrain. In just a few days, you'll save time by learning the right techniques with practical feedback tailored to your level. It's also safer: you'll be running on routes in the Chartreuse massif chosen according to the conditions, and you'll be learning to read the terrain, a key factor in progressing independently in nature running. Finally, the guided trail course format speeds up progress thanks to the sequence of outings and personalised feedback from the coach, while benefiting from a motivating group dynamic that's hard to find on your own.

Do I need to have done any trail running or hiking before?

The aim of this expedition is to discover the sport of trail running and hiking. It is therefore aimed at anyone who wants to try these sports for the first time, or at people who have already done them but are not seasoned trail runners.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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My first trail-running course in the Chartreuse from Grenoble

What you will experience

Itinerary