Hike to Mont Saint-Eynard: From Col de Porte to Col de Vence
At the beginning of fall, I went on a hike to Mont Saint-Eynard, in the Chartreuse mountains above Grenoble.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
In the morning, I took a train from Annecy to the Grenoble - Universités Gières station then got on a tramway to Musée de Grenoble, in the center of the city. From there, I boarded a local TAG bus (line 62) to Col de Porte, in the Chartreuse mountains below La Chamechaude, the highest peak of the range. At first, I started walking on the trail to the summit but I left it soon and instead went around the mountain towards the pasture of Émeindras de dessus. From there, I got on the ridge of Mont Saint-Eynard and followed it all the way to Fort du Saint-Eynard at the western tip of the mountain. On the way, there were a lot of great viewpoints on the Isère valley and the Belledonne mountains on the other side. I visited the fort in a rush since I needed to reach Col de Vence below in time for the last bus (line 62 again) to Grenoble. Finally, I got back to Gières by tramway and then on to Annecy by train.
Above, Mont Saint-Eynard and La Chamechaude seen from Croix de Chamrousse on the other side of the Isère valley. Fort du Saint-Eynard is on the left.
Above, in Gières in the morning.
Above, La Bastille seen from Musée de Grenoble.
Above, Isère river and the western tip of Mont Saint-Eynard.
Above, looking towards La Moucherotte, in the Vercors mountains.
Above, La Chamechaude seen from Col de Porte.
Above, on the trail to La Chamechaude.
Above, Charmant Som.
Above, Chartreuse and Vercors.
Above, from there, I took a trail around La Chamechaude.
Above, the ridge of Mont Saint-Eynard in the foreground.
Above, cliffs of Chamechaude above.
Above, at Habert de Chamechaude.
Above, pasture of Émeindras de dessus.
Above, Dent de Crolles.
Above, at Col de l’Émeindras.
Above, Grand Som.
Above, at Émeindras de dessus.
Above, looking back at La Chamechaude.
Above, Dent de Crolles.
Above, the trail continues above the chalets.
Above, crocus.
Above, I got lost near there: The signage was not very good.
Above, first viewpoint on the Isère valley.
Above, Belledonne mountains.
Above, the ridge of Mont Saint-Eynard.
Above, Chamechaude.
Above, Grenoble.
Above, L’Écoutoux.
Above, paraglider below.
Above, Isère river.
Above, Pas de la Branche.
Above, anthill.
Above, Croix de Chamrousse.
Above, snake.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, Grenoble.
Above, arriving at Fort du Saint-Eynard.
Above, La Bastille and Mont Rachais.
Above, underground gallery.
Above, entrance of the fort.
Above, Chartreuse mountains.
Above, chapel inside the fort.
Above, courtyard. During summer, a restaurant is open.
Above, La Bastille.
Above, Mont Saint-Eynard seen from La Bastille.
Above, Vercors.
Above, Mont Rachais and Le Néron.
Above, I left the fort and took a trail towards Col de Vence.
Above, La Chamechaude.
Above, Charmant Som.
Above, L’Écoutoux.
Above, Col de Vence below.
Above, Mont Rachais.
Above, at Col de Vence.
Above, back in Gières in the evening.