Le Rocher de la Garde
This is a small summit that has everything a big one has! Forest, stony paths, short lapies*, panoramic summit… it's all there and easy to access!
Perched on this rock, you are at a true observation post and perhaps even, in the past, a surveillance post! In any case, it is certain, the view invites contemplation and escape to other adventures in Chartreuse or on the immense neighboring plateau of Grand-Ratz.
After passing through a dense boxwood forest, the hike continues with a descent to the hamlet of La Maladière, near which you can see the Chapel of La Madeleine. This hamlet, located away from the village, was once a place of isolation for lepers in a leper colony founded in 1282 by the Counts of Savoy, then ceded to the Carthusian monks of Currière in July 1315 by Count Amadeus V of Savoy. It closed in 1614. The path continues along the edge of the forest, then crosses it to return to your starting point.
*Lapiaz: erosion of the limestone rock with deep grooves: be careful!
After passing through a dense boxwood forest, the hike continues with a descent to the hamlet of La Maladière, near which you can see the Chapel of La Madeleine. This hamlet, located away from the village, was once a place of isolation for lepers in a leper colony founded in 1282 by the Counts of Savoy, then ceded to the Carthusian monks of Currière in July 1315 by Count Amadeus V of Savoy. It closed in 1614. The path continues along the edge of the forest, then crosses it to return to your starting point.
*Lapiaz: erosion of the limestone rock with deep grooves: be careful!
Tips and Suggestions
Just steps from the trail, the impressive limestone cliffs of the Crossey Gorge are a playground for beginners to advanced climbers. The climbing site offers nearly 300 routes from 3 to 8b and a splendid view. Ready to put on your climbing shoes and harness?
Sustainable tourism
Mother Nature thanks you for taking your rubbish home with you, she doesn't digest it well!
Respect crops and private property by staying on marked trails.
Step-by-step guide
Route stages with the names of the signposts to follow:
– Crossey Gorge
– The Bells of Rome
– Above the Gorges
– Under the Rock
– The Guard
– First post Plantimey (follow signs for Bassin de Rousset)
– Second post Plantimey
– Plantimey Woods
– Plantimey by the Maladière
– Goat Path
– Above the Gorges
– The Bells of Rome
– Crossey Gorge
Alert
Road crossing (at the start of the route, depending on the parking side)
Crossing a limestone pavement (a geological formation with a 50cm wide fissure to step over)
Risk of falling: presence of a handrail on a descent through the forest with polished rocks, therefore potentially slippery.
Risk of falling: cliff edge at the summit of Rocher de la Garde
Section of road without a shoulder (100m to travel along the D520 at the Chemin des Chèvres)
Crossing a limestone pavement (a geological formation with a 50cm wide fissure to step over)
Risk of falling: presence of a handrail on a descent through the forest with polished rocks, therefore potentially slippery.
Risk of falling: cliff edge at the summit of Rocher de la Garde
Section of road without a shoulder (100m to travel along the D520 at the Chemin des Chèvres)