No. 71: Tower of the Lorzier Chimney

Depart from the Chalais Monastery for a varied trail, typical of the Chartreuse massif. Hurtle down technical trails, cross waterfalls and rocky passages, mountain pastures and forests and enjoy the view of the Alps.

After a comfortable start on the wide forest track to the shelter of Roize, the route descends in a single track into the gorges of the Roize (be careful in wet weather, exposed sector with cable). The long ascent to Charminelle is sometimes technical while playing with the stream (Gourhauts waterfall). After Charminelle la Fleurie, the wooded ridge takes you along a clear inclined plane to the chimney of Lorzier. The rocky passage suddenly leads to the mountain pasture. Panoramic view of the Alps. Afterwards, through the lawns of the Col d'Hurtières, what happiness in the mountain pastures! We then cross the chalets of Hurtières and Banettes (water points). Then begins a beautiful descent, first panoramic then forest by Côte Charvet. Be careful in the chimney of Mt-st-Martin in wet weather: rocky ground and in places polished. The final ascent to the monastery takes place in rough terrain in a beautiful forest symphony.

Biscuits, honey, cheese at the Monastery shop!

Further information : Circuit impassable in case of snow.

Topo/step by step: 
Stages of the route with the name of the signposts: - Monastery of Chalais - Abri de la Roize - Charminelle - Col d'Hurtières - Prairie de Vararey - Chalet des Banettes - Côte Charvet - Foot of the Côte Charvet - L'Espagne - Cheminée de Mont-Saint-Martin - Monastery of Chalais