Summit walk experience - Panoramic Park Chamrousse
Presentation
I've tested it for you: the easy summer walk to the top of the resort!
“The golden age for conquering Chamrousse's peaks”
September 2023, Chamrousse 1650, Panoramic Park notice, with familyAnnie, active retiree
Today, I'm off on a trip to the summits of Chamrousse with my family: leaving the heat of the city to enjoy the mountain air for a leisurely afternoon to feast our eyes on the new Himalayan footbridge and the view over the mountains and the valley.
I'm freshly equipped with my new hiking boots, because until then I'd only had a pair of city sneakers, I've taken my backache pill and my knees are well-oiled. And I've even got some walking poles that I received as a gift in a Damart order. I'm up and ready to go.
I'm freshly equipped with my new hiking boots, because until then I'd only had a pair of city sneakers, I've taken my backache pill and my knees are well-oiled. And I've even got some walking poles that I received as a gift in a Damart order. I'm up and ready to go.
An outing in fine company with brother Georges, son (from his nickname “Riri”) and his partner, nicknamed “Lyly”. They're a little more familiar with the mountains than I am now, at my young retirement age.
I do have one memory from Chamrousse, about ten years ago, of a hike to the Robert lakes, where it was very uphill and also included some passages through a field of rocks. This is the cool version, with a cab ride to the top. Incidentally, I've already taken ski lifts, like the Bastille bubbles in Grenoble.
The first step is to pose for a souvenir photo, proof of my future mountaineering exploit.
I do have one memory from Chamrousse, about ten years ago, of a hike to the Robert lakes, where it was very uphill and also included some passages through a field of rocks. This is the cool version, with a cab ride to the top. Incidentally, I've already taken ski lifts, like the Bastille bubbles in Grenoble.
The first step is to pose for a souvenir photo, proof of my future mountaineering exploit.
Once at the top, the map shows you where you are and the various places to visit. Ready for the second stage, the family photo. First, we go to the city side to admire the view over Grenoble and see where we live down below, us little ants from the valley.
We climbed up a small footbridge on the roof of a building to get a great view of the landscape, and it must be said that the weather is really nice today. There are panels explaining the peaks in front of us and the 3 mountain ranges that surround us: Chartreuse, Vercors and Belledonne, where Chamrousse is located. We can see the start of the zip line on our left. ‘Qué malheur’, very little for me with my back, I leave that to the youngsters. Behind us, you can even see the Monteynard lakes glistening in the distance - it's a thing of beauty!
We climbed up a small footbridge on the roof of a building to get a great view of the landscape, and it must be said that the weather is really nice today. There are panels explaining the peaks in front of us and the 3 mountain ranges that surround us: Chartreuse, Vercors and Belledonne, where Chamrousse is located. We can see the start of the zip line on our left. ‘Qué malheur’, very little for me with my back, I leave that to the youngsters. Behind us, you can even see the Monteynard lakes glistening in the distance - it's a thing of beauty!
We retrace our steps and then head up the mountain on an easy path, with another viewpoint at the end. There's a little bench there, so I take the opportunity to sit down for a few minutes. We admired the breathtaking scenery of the mountains around us, guided by the explanatory panels and even a pointer to La Meije, one of the Alps' iconic peaks.
The two of them venture out onto the rock a little further on, they call me to join them and my son stays behind to take the photo. From a distance, this rocky spur with the mountain as a backdrop is impressive, but in fact it's right next door and easily accessible. From here, you can even see Achard lake below, which is splendid.
The two of them venture out onto the rock a little further on, they call me to join them and my son stays behind to take the photo. From a distance, this rocky spur with the mountain as a backdrop is impressive, but in fact it's right next door and easily accessible. From here, you can even see Achard lake below, which is splendid.
We continue our day's adventure, heading for the suspension bridge via the trail. We pass a lot of people, families with children, but also older people, the veterans of the hike, coming up from the Robert lakes below. We branch off to the left towards the path when we see the attraction of the day, the Chamrousse Himalayan footbridge. We take a leisurely stroll, admiring the view and saying hello to our fellow cross-country skiers. And we waited for the youngsters at the other end. It's a bit of a challenge for Lyly, who's afraid of heights: it takes a bit longer for them, as she holds on to her boyfriend's arm every time someone passes by and the footbridge moves. Just a few more metres and that's it...
Once on the other side, we stroll to the last viewpoint, which offers a breathtaking panorama of Belledonne and the Robert lakes hidden just below. We take a short tour of this new part of the mountain, where hiking poles are welcome as it's quite rocky. And you can even see part of the path that once led us to the lakes: what a hell!
On the way back to the top of the Croix, we crossed the bridge again in the other direction, except for Lyly who decided to take the path below to avoid having to cross the bridge again, which was moving a bit too much for her liking. We see her at the bottom, waving to us, and it's the perfect opportunity to take a photo of the Himalayan footbridge alone in the world!
Once on the other side, we stroll to the last viewpoint, which offers a breathtaking panorama of Belledonne and the Robert lakes hidden just below. We take a short tour of this new part of the mountain, where hiking poles are welcome as it's quite rocky. And you can even see part of the path that once led us to the lakes: what a hell!
On the way back to the top of the Croix, we crossed the bridge again in the other direction, except for Lyly who decided to take the path below to avoid having to cross the bridge again, which was moving a bit too much for her liking. We see her at the bottom, waving to us, and it's the perfect opportunity to take a photo of the Himalayan footbridge alone in the world!
The climb back up to the summit is more difficult, as the slope is quite steep in the opposite direction, but in any case, a bathroom break is in order, so it's a good incentive. Fortunately, there are public toilets next to the restaurant for those with small bladders.
Time for a break, once you've emptied your bladder, you can calmly refill it with a drink from the restaurant. We settle down on the terrace to admire the marvellous panoramic view, it's beautiful!
It's with our hearts and eyes full of beautiful memories that we slowly make our way back down through the cabin, which feels strange on the way down. But it's really good for old hands like us, and my knees and sore toes in my new shoes are glad I don't have to walk back down. In Chamrousse, there's no age limit to adventure at the summit.
Time for a break, once you've emptied your bladder, you can calmly refill it with a drink from the restaurant. We settle down on the terrace to admire the marvellous panoramic view, it's beautiful!
It's with our hearts and eyes full of beautiful memories that we slowly make our way back down through the cabin, which feels strange on the way down. But it's really good for old hands like us, and my knees and sore toes in my new shoes are glad I don't have to walk back down. In Chamrousse, there's no age limit to adventure at the summit.
Buy your summer pedestrian pass for the gondola lift:
Find out more about the Panoramic Park facilities at the Croix de Chamrousse (walking itinerary, belvedere, footbridge, photo point, picnic area, etc.):