Belledonne Range | Office de tourisme Belledonne Chartreuse, bienvenue dans la vallée du Grésivaudan.

A territory of impressive dimensions

The Belledonne region is surprisingly vast. Its relief ranges in altitude from 200 meters to almost 3,000 meters, extending over a length of around 80 kilometers, from the Romanche valley to the Arc valley, and a width of around 15 kilometers. Divided between the departments of Isère and Savoie, the massif covers an area of 54 communes, equally divided between the two departments. In the off-season, some 50,000 inhabitants share these 106,000 hectares, far from the hustle and bustle of winter tourism.

An enchanting diversity of landscapes

The panoramas offered by the Belledonne massif are breathtakingly diverse. Among its 90 peaks above 2,500 metres, there are 18 main passes to explore. Climbing these peaks and discovering this authentic territory can be done via the GR®738, a spectacular trail offering breathtaking views of these majestic peaks.

Remarkable summits

The Belledonne range, considered an outer crystalline massif, is made up of a series of sub-massifs offering a variety of peaks to discover. From north to south, these include the Grand Arc, the Lauzière, the 7 Laux and the main Belledonne massif. The Belledonne map is divided into three main massifs:

The Allevard massif stretches from the Col de la Croix to the Arc valley, culminating in the Puy Gris.
The 7 Laux massif stretches from the Pas de la Coche to the Col de la Croix, and its highest point is the Rocher Blanc.
The Belledonne massif, stretching from the Romanche valley to the Pas de la Coche, is dominated by the Grand Pic de Belledonne, its highest peak at 2977 meters.
In all, there are 193 peaks, 31 of which exceed 2000 meters, adding to the richness and interest of the region for mountaineers and hikers.

Belledonne flora and fauna

The Belledonne mountain range is of great natural interest in terms of flora and fauna. Indeed, the nature of its terrain, and in particular the presence of peat bogs, makes it an environment conducive to the development of remarkable species of flora. The fauna of Belledonne is a blend of the usual mountain species and those adapted to wetlands, creating a precious ecosystem. From the marmot to the Alpine ibex, from specific plants such as arnica flowers, alchemilla or houseleek to endemic peat bogs, this massif is full of treasures to discover.

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Belledonne mountain lakes

The Belledonne mountain range, renowned for its sharp peaks, also offers a range of magnificent mountain lakes, popular with hikers. These lakes, such as the Lac des 7 Laux, Lac Robert and Lac Achard, can be reached after a few hours’ walk at altitude. Belledonne has a variety of mountain lakes to discover, offering hiking itineraries that let you explore these unspoilt spaces.

For those in search of adventure...

The highly technical Échappée Belle ultra trail crosses the Belledonne mountain range. Launched in 2013, this demanding trail, which takes place every year at the end of August, captivates with its splendid scenery. Its reputation also rests on the friendliness and motivation of its many volunteers, essential to its international success and impeccable event organization.

A vibrant and dynamic region

The Belledonne massif is alive with activity. In the heart of this territory, the vestiges of a rich industrial past bear witness to the exploitation of iron and the power of hydroelectricity. However, a more contemporary economy is developing here, based on tourism, particularly in high-altitude resorts such as Les 7 Laux and Le Collet. The spa industry is not to be outdone, with the renowned Thermes d’Allevard-les-Bains. Agriculture, the mainstay of this unspoilt high mountain region, stands out for its diversity, intense pastoral life and rich biodiversity, which permeate every corner of the land.