GR738 · Haute traversée de Belledonne
GR738 overnight stop in Fond de France
Between the Oule and Sept-Laux huts, halfway along the traverse: a bed or a corner of garden for your tent, a hot shower, a proper meal and enough to refill your rucksack.
Halfway along the traverse
The only road access
The GR738 crosses Belledonne from north to south, from Aiguebelle to Vizille. Fond de France comes at the end of the fifth stage: between Le Pontet and Chamrousse, it is the only point on the route where a road comes up to the trail. You can end your traverse here, start it, or meet a friend bringing you supplies.
≈ 130 km
north to south
+ 10,000 m
of ascent
11 stages
from hut to hut
June – September
the right season
For hikers
Sleep, eat, set off again
(01) In a room or a dormitory
Half board
After several nights in huts, many people take a room to get back a little comfort. Room or dormitory, there is a hot shower, which is rare on the traverse, then dinner and breakfast.
| Half board in a dormitory, tax included | €50 |
| Double room, for 2 | €56 |
| Dinner and breakfast, per person | €30 |
| Sheet and towel kit hire | €11 |
(02) In a tent
Campers
Pitch your tent in the garden, it’s free. For the shower and a corner of the hall there is a small charge, waived if you eat with us.
| Pitch in the garden | free |
| Shower and access to the hall | €5 |
| With the evening meal | included |
| Dinner and breakfast | €32 |
(03) For the road
Supplies
The little grocery, the next day’s picnic and the restaurant open all day in summer.
| Picnic, to order before 5 pm | €10 |
| Organic bread, cheese, saucisson | cut to order |
| Gas cartridge | €10 |
The neighbouring stages
Before and after la Martinette
Everyone does the traverse at their own pace, in one direction or the other. Some link the Oule and Sept-Laux in one go: stop by anyway for a coffee and to stock up.
North side · stage 5
Refuge de l’Oule
- 6 h
- + 810 m
- − 1,400 m
A stage with varied landscapes, between mountain, lakes and forest: the Léat cross and lake, the Tigneux combe, the Petite Valloire chalets, then back down into the valley to the gîte.
South side · stage 6
Refuge des Sept-Laux
- 3 h
- + 1,100 m
- − 130 m
A steady climb by the Deux Ruisseaux, rewarded with grand scenery: the lakes plateau, at 2,135 m.
Short guide
The 11 stages
A demanding route, often compared to the GR20, with rocky sections and stream crossings. Times are a guide, for a fit hiker. For the route, huts and trail news, refer to the official website.
The Tour du Pays d’Allevard also passes through here. For the Tour des lacs des Sept-Laux, the gîte can serve as a variant and starting point, with the hikers’ car park 200 m away. And more and more trail runners come to scout the Échappée Belle course.
| St. | Route | Time | Ascent / descent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aiguebelle → Le Pontet | 6 h 30 | +1245 / −685 m |
| 02 | Le Pontet → Refuge de la Perrière | 8 h | +1805 / −825 m |
| 03 | Perrière → Refuge de la Pierre du Carre | 7 h | +1330 / −1440 m |
| 04 | Pierre du Carre → Refuge de l’Oule | 7 h 30 | +1290 / −1370 m |
| 05 | Refuge de l’Oule → la Martinette | 6 h | +810 / −1400 m |
| 06 | la Martinette → Refuge des Sept-Laux | 3 h | +1100 / −130 m |
| 07 | Sept-Laux → Habert d’Aiguebelle | 5 h | +600 / −1025 m |
| 08 | Habert d’Aiguebelle → Refuge Jean Collet | 5 h 50 | +1060 / −875 m |
| 09 | Jean Collet → Refuge de la Pra | 4 h 30 | +950 / −780 m |
| 10 | La Pra → Chamrousse | 3 h 15 | +475 / −915 m |
| 11 | Chamrousse → Vizille | 5 h 30 | +410 / −1785 m |
Practical information
Good to know
Last-minute arrivals
We’ll welcome you, even without a booking. In July and August, book as early as you can: the gîte fills up quickly.
Arrival and departure
Arrival from 2 pm. Breakfast from 7 am, self-service buffet for an earlier start.
Your car
The hikers’ car park is 200 m from the gîte: handy for starting or finishing the traverse here.
By bus, by taxi
The “La Martinette” bus stop is 200 m away. Taxi and shuttle possible to the gîte.
Charging your phone
Free for gîte and restaurant customers.
Beds
Duvets and pillows provided. Bring your sleeping bag liner or hire a sheet and towel kit for €11.
Your dog
Welcome, at no extra charge.
Rooms and dormitories
All the rooms, rates and online booking.
The restaurant
The menu, afternoon snacks and the little grocery.