Need oxygen? Visit the Chartreuse Regional Natural Park: a must in the heart of the Alps!
Chartreuse Regional Natural Park is located in France riding between the departments of Isère and Savoie. The massif of the same name is one of the most beautiful in the alpine chain! We come to escape to enjoy a pure, authentic mountain with a unique fauna and flora. The summits and passes that make up it are essentials of French heritage.
Winter as summer, you will have the opportunity to survey the massif to admire its splendour. What is the best way to visit the Chartreuse Regional Natural Park? Whether you choose any activity, you can fully express your love of the mountain. Regardless of your tastes or budget: Wanderlix presents you the best ways to move. Come on, let's go!
The Regional Natural Park of Chartreuse in a few words
Photo credit: Facebook – Chartreuse Tourisme
The park encompasses the Chartreuse massif between cities Chambéry North, West and Grenoble South. It covers an area of 76,700 hectares for some 60 municipalities.
Visiting the Chartreuse Natural Park means choosing between four different reserves. The National Nature Reserve of the Top of Chartreuse, the Aulp du Seuil and the two reserves of Malissard are extraordinary biotopes.
In addition to these specificities, there is no shortage of tourist sites. Let's call the Scals, the Cirque de Saint-Même The Gorges du Guiers... On the heritage side, the Fort Barraux, the Sarde Way, the remains of the Chateau d’Entremont or the cellars of the Chartreuse will delight the curious.
The park stands out by its beautiful possibilities of escapades. Flagships and areas dedicated to the most diverse activities are legion. Visiting the Chartreuse Natural Park allows you to enjoy a most deserved break. Time stops there, urban frenzy no longer exists: just you and a preserved nature.
To convince you to go there, we have listed the best ways to explore it. Airway, landway, riverway? Here is our top of the most beautiful ways to approach the massif.
1. Snowshoe hike
Photo credit: Facebook – Chartreuse Tourisme
In winter, a thick white coat covers the Chartreuse massif. To get around without difficulty, opt for snowshoes! These funny utensils come to attach themselves to your shoes to widen the contact surface with the snow. So you're not sinking into it!
Visiting the Chartreuse Natural Park in snowshoes can be done almost everywhere. But we chose to introduce you to the best spots: the Sappey-en-Chartreuse snowshoe area and the Petites Roches plateau will delight the visitor.
Practical information :
- Modalities: Once the rackets are threaded, it’s very easy. For an engaged hike, prevent a person before your departure and... plan a map, of course;
- At what price: access to snowshoe hiking trails is totally free. For their rental, consider a 20 euros a day. Why not buy them on occasion?
2. ATV
Photo credit: Facebook – Ecole VTT MCF Chartreuse
ATV is an efficient and ecological means of transport. Visiting the Chartreuse Nature Park in ATV can be done in a multitude of ways. We advise you to make a portion of the sublime crossing of the Grésivaudan, a sumptuous route. In the summer you will even have the opportunity to cross the Manival, a stream of great freshness, to be eaten. Sensations assured!
Otherwise, opt for the discovery of Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse or the stroll of Chapareillan. The latter is a little demanding walk through the hillsides of the vineyards of Savoie. You can even stop to enjoy a glass of wine!
Last advice for those who do not want to force: renting an electric bike makes it possible to avoid much effort.
Practical information :
- Modalities: renting a bike is done in most of the main villages of the massif. Foreseeing, in summer, to moisturize well: the sun can hit hard;
- At what price: access to the trails is free, renting a bike costs it 30 euros a day. For a fatbike or an electric bike, prices can double.
3. Hiking
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Antoine Pouillard
The hike allows you to visit the Chartreuse Natural Park in all peace. No equipment for rent, great flexibility... rando has almost only advantages and allows to admire the region at its pace. The stunts of Cirque de St Even or the top of the Dent de Crolles are among the must-sees.
Otherwise, opt for the top of the Charming Som. It dominates St Pierre de Chartreuse. The Charmant Som is also a rather accessible summit in climbing mode. For gourmets, you can find the last Isère pasture that produces and sells its cheese on site. A break is needed?
Practical information :
- Modalities: provide sun protection during a hike in the summer. And a card: it is easy to lose ;
- At what price: Access to trails is completely free.
4. Canoe and paddle on Lake Aiguebelette
Photo credit: Shutterstock – SYLVAIN FELTEN
Lake Aiguebelette is classified as a Regional Nature Reserve. Its green waters have always fascinated the ancients. Today, they still amaze the people who came to visit the Chartreuse Natural Park. In particular, they appreciate the possibility of training in canoeing or paddle.
It must be said that "paths" of nautical hiking zebra the lake. The best? In our view, the northern circuits and the wild coast are incontournable. Otherwise, walking to the islands is a good way to appreciate the calm of the turquoise waters.
Practical information :
- Modalities: mandatory sun cream and lifejacket also! No worries, it will be provided on site;
- At what price: rates for paddle or canoe are substantially the same. Consider one 50 euros for a half-day rental.
5. Sled dogs
Photo credit: Facebook – Nordic Espace des Entremonts en Chartreuse
Is the Nordic space of the Entremonts talking to you? Winter is one of the most emblematic activities of the givrés areas. Baptisms are organized to discover mushing The practice of dog sled!
Each sled can accommodate two adults or three children. If you wish, you can even try to drive these fascinating machines... driven by animals that are even more.
Practical information :
- Modalities: reserve your baptism in advance with the musher. In the middle of the winter season, there may be many pretenders;
- At what price: for an adult, count one 20 euros by baptism. For a child up to 12 years old, plan 15€.
6. By road bike
Photo credit: Shutterstock – visuall2
The road bike is an institution in the Chartreuse massif. It must be said that sublime routes allow you to visit the Regional Natural Park of Chartreuse along and wide. The buckle of Lac de Saint André is one of the most beautiful tracks in the massif. It takes place in the South of the Chambéry agglomeration, between vineyards and mountains.
The walk is finally quite unphysical and allows to contemplate the mountain of Granier. Its landslide in 1248 is the largest known mountain collapse in Europe! When you arrive at Lake St André, don’t hesitate to drink a drink at the nearby restaurant or to swim.
Little advice: don't miss Saint Baldoph, its old basins and its view of the Belledonne mountain range!
Practical information :
- Modalities: the complete route is 1h30. It's 22 kilometers. Provide sun cream and fresh water cans;
- At what price: renting a bike, if you don’t own one, costs one 50 euros per day on average.
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