Chantelouve combines challenging mountain hikes with a farm visit, alder forest and geological features. When choosing a hike, the differences between the difficult Le lac du Vallon route and the moderately rated Forêt des Roudons loop are particularly clear. Both offer their own landscape highlights; the high-altitude Cabane de Pissegui and the Faille du Col d’Ornon are also worth noting. Cultivation, processing and local culture are part of the picture too.

Hiking trails with different profiles

The Le lac du Vallon hike starts and ends in Les Bosses in Chantelouve. It is classified as a difficult out-and-back route, is 14.1 kilometres long and includes 1,374 metres of ascent and 1,374 metres of descent. The trail follows a waterfall cascading down from the lake and then reaches terrain sculpted by glaciers. If you are looking for a challenging route featuring both a waterfall and glacially shaped terrain, this hike offers both. Trail conditions and seasonal access may change; check current notices before setting out.

The Forêt des Roudons loop is 8.1 kilometres long, has 490 metres of ascent and is classified as moderate. Compared with the difficult lake route, it is shorter and has less listed ascent. Its distance, ascent and difficulty rating provide concrete points of reference when choosing between the two hikes. The loop passes through Europe’s largest alder forest. Dams and flood-control structures can also be seen there; they help limit erosion and protect against flooding. Long-term forestry work to stabilise the soil has shaped the forest landscape since the late 19th century.

Altitude and geology

The trail to the Cabane de Pissegui starts in Chantelouve near Les Bosses; the hut is at an altitude of 2,350 metres. As mountain conditions vary, check current notices before setting out. A notable geological feature is the Faille du Col d’Ornon, a major fault in the French Alps in the Isère department. It lies within the territory of Chantelouve, Ornon and other communes and has made important contributions to understanding the formation of the Alps. For those interested in the geology of the landscape, this provides a subject of its own alongside the hiking trails, extending beyond any single route.

Farm visit and local culture

Cueillette des Sommets processes organic-certified products on a farm at an altitude of 1,300 metres, opposite the peaks of the Écrins. A farm visit includes a tour of the plantings, an introduction to on-site processing and a tasting of farm-made products. Growing, processing and tasting give the visit three distinct highlights. Check the arrangements for the visit before you arrive.

Chantelouve is also known for its well-known peddlers, called colporteurs in French. This cultural connection complements the area’s geological and landscape themes.

Discover more destinations: Sablons, Thodure, Le Pont-De-Beauvoisin, Saint-Savin, Villemoirieu, Ruy, Saint-Ondras, Susville

For the overview of the wider area: Isere.