Are bivouacs allowed in the Belledonne and Chartreuse massifs in Isère?

Yes, bivouacking is permitted in the vast majority of the massifs in the Isère region, subject to compliance with the legal time limits: from 7pm to 9am maximum. However, bivouacs are prohibited in certain protected areas (Luitel Nature Reserve, Lac Achard in Chamrousse, the area around Lac Merlat and Lac Claret in the commune of Revel, Espace Naturel Sensible du Praillet in Haut Bréda, etc.). As regulations may change, it is advisable to check with the communes and local tourist offices before each outing.

What are the best walking routes in the region?

The GR®738 – Haute Traversée de Belledonne is the massif’s flagship itinerary, running 126km from Vizille to Aiguebelle through wild Alpine landscapes at altitudes of up to 3,000m. For day hikes, the massif also offers a number of signposted routes. Click here for our selection of walks.

What should I do if I come across a guard dog?

Protection dogs (often Patous) are working dogs whose role is to protect the herd from predators. If you come across one while out walking, adopt these reflexes: don’t run, don’t face the dog, go around the herd leaving it between you and the dog, move calmly and slowly. Never feed these dogs, and keep yours on a lead. To find out the location of herds guarded by protection dogs, visit the PastoKezako platform.

How do you find drinking water when bivouacking in the mountains?

In the Belledonne and Isère massifs, there are water points (springs, fountains) close to most of the refuges , both guarded and unguarded. The refuges.info website lists all the water points on the routes. For mountain streams and springs, always purify the water: boil for 1 minute, use purifying tablets or a hiking filter. Never take water from downstream of a village, herd or human settlement. Allow 3 litres per person per day for drinking, cooking and washing.

What are the rules for protecting flora and fauna when hiking in Isère?

The Isère mountain ranges (Belledonne, Chartreuse, Oisans, Vercors) are home to exceptional biodiversity. To preserve it: stay on the marked trails to limit erosion, don’t pick flowers or cut branches, don’t feed wild animals, observe wildlife from a distance with binoculars, keep your dog on a lead and don’t swim in high-altitude lakes and streams. Bivouacs must be at least 70 m from lakes and streams. These simple gestures will help preserve a fragile natural environment that is home to chamois, ibex, black grouse and golden eagles.

Hiking & Bivouac Best practice guide

The mountains are a living, fragile and shared environment. Discover the best ways to enjoy nature in complete safety, while preserving this exceptional heritage.

The Belledonne and Chartreuse massifs, between Isère and Savoie, stretch for 80 km up to an altitude of nearly 3,000 m. Wild and unspoilt, this area is home to exceptional biodiversity: chamois, ibex, black grouse, golden eagles, and age-old pastoral practices. Hiking or bivouacking here is like inviting yourself into a living space that you have a responsibility to respect.

Good practice to know

Preparing your itinerary

Define the stages, distances and gradients using a topographical map or guidebook. Identify several potential bivouac areas in accordance with the regulations.

View weather reports

Check the forecasts for the entire route: Météo-France or directly on our website for local data. Never underestimate rapid changes in altitude.

Never go off on your own

Stay in a group and tell someone close to you the planned route and estimated time of return. In an emergency: dial 112 (works without a network, but requires battery power on your phone).

Bring water and supplies

Allow around 3 litres of water per person per day. On some sections of the GR®738, it is not possible to refuel for several days. In the Chartreuse, water can be scarce depending on the area and the time of year. If you take water from a trough, river or pond, leave the water clean, without soap or sunscreen.

Identifying fallback solutions

Look out for refuges, unguarded huts and escape routes in case of threatening weather, sudden tiredness or unforeseen circumstances. It’s better to get back in time than to take an unnecessary risk.

Contact the refuge wardens

If you are planning to bivouac near a refuge, check with the warden beforehand to find out about the pitches available and the services on offer. NB: There are no guarded refuges in the Chartreuse.

For sleeping

Lightweight 3 or 4 season tent
Ground insulating mattress
Down adapted to the temperature (even in summer, the nights are cool!)

For food

Portable stove (no fire! use at least 200m from the forest)
Light crockery (saucepans, cutlery)
Small, nutritious food that cooks quickly

Clothing

Thermal underlay
Fleece + down jacket
Windproof waterproof jacket
Hat, cap and glasses
Dry clothes for the evening

Key accessories

Headlamp + spare batteries
IGN map / GPS / compass
First aid kit
Multifunction knife
Biodegradable hygiene products
High factor sun cream
Mosquito repellent (be careful!) Stay away from tall grass, wear long clothes and check yourself when you get back from your hike )

Responsible bivouac best practice

→ Bivouacking is tolerated in the massif from 7pm to 9am only.

→ Allow 3 litres of water per person per day. Water points exist near most refuges ( beware, some springs dry up in season). Systematically purify torrent water (boiling, tablets or filter). Never draw water downstream from a village, herd or human settlement.

Zero trace, zero impact

Choose your location carefully

Choose your location carefully. Flat, dry ground, away from cliffs and scree. Avoid hollows, passes and ridges (strong winds). Choose areas that have already been used to avoid trampling new soil.

Keep 70 m away from lakes and watercourses

Wildlife comes here to drink. Don’t swim in them: our presence in the water causes lasting damage to the flora and fauna of these fragile environments.

No fire, always the stove

Fires are prohibited within 200 m of forests. At altitude, wood resources are virtually non-existent. Stoves are the only responsible way to cook, although they should be used with caution. A fire can destroy soil that has taken thousands of years to build up in just a few minutes.

Take all your rubbish with you

Biodegradable or not, no waste is thrown away, buried or burnt in the mountains. Everything goes back with you in a sealed bag, without exception.

Managing natural needs

Keep at least 70 m away from watercourses. Bury it 20 cm deep. Put toilet paper in a bin. Use biodegradable products for washing and washing up.

Dogs on lead compulsory

Dogs are a source of stress for wildlife and herds. They must be kept on a lead at all times, or not taken into certain protected areas.

In the Chartreuse, they are allowed under certain conditions. They are not allowed in the Hauts de Chartreuse nature reserve, the sensitive natural areas of Herretang, the Col du Coq or the mountain pastures (from June to October).

Pick nothing, cut nothing

Flowers, branches, shrubs: the Alpine environment is harsh and plants grow slowly. Respecting vegetation means protecting biodiversity for everyone.

Silence and discretion

No music, no shouting, no drones. Calm is a precious resource in the mountains, for wildlife and other users alike. Observe, listen and marvel.

What the law says

Bivouacs are tolerated in the Belledonne from 7pm to 9am, except in specifically prohibited areas.

French law prohibits bivouacking on public roads, in listed natural sites, in the vicinity of historic monuments, and less than 200 m from a drinking water supply. Fires are banned all year round within 200 m of forests.

Stricter local decrees may apply. Regulations are subject to change, so check with local authorities and tourist offices.

Bivouac regulations in the Chartreuse

📍 Municipality of Revel

Bivouac prohibited around lakes Merlat and Claret, and in the wetland to the east of lake Merlat.

⛔ Prohibited from 14 July to 31 August on the Pra plain.

📍 Commune de Chamrousse

Bivouac prohibited in the Lac Achard area from mid-June to mid-September.

⛔ Prohibited in the Arselle Biotope Protection Order.

📍 Commune of Haut Bréda

Bivouac prohibited around the Chalet du Bout, within the perimeter of the Espace Naturel Sensible du Praillet.

📍 Plateau des Lacs du Taillefer

Bivouac only in areas defined and signposted on site. Swimming and water activities prohibited.

Hauts de Chartreuse National Nature Reserve

Bivouacs are permitted without tents, in other words “under the stars” (no tarps, tarpaulins or other shelter) from 1 July and 31 August, with due respect for private property. See dedicated link.

📍Cirque de St Même

Bivouacs (with or without tents) and bonfires are prohibited by municipal by-law.

With guard dogs (Patous)

In the presence of herds guarded by guard dogs (Patous), go around the herd keeping a good distance, do not run or face them. These dogs do an essential job: respect their space.

LEARN MORE

With the shelters

Contact the warden before arriving to find out about the bivouac sites available and the services on offer (meals, showers, toilets). Refuges do not take rubbish bins. By using them, you are helping to ensure their continued existence.

With the herds

Keep away from shepherds’ huts, flocks, night pens and drinking troughs. Do not contaminate waterholes. Do not use headlamps to illuminate herds. If a herd passes through your camp: put your things away and wait calmly for it to pass.

LEARN MORE

With agriculture

Never settle in unmown meadows: these meadows are essential resources for the mountain farming economy, and are used in particular to feed livestock. Always close the gates of paddocks after use.

With local residents

Private property exists even in the mountains. If you are on private land, always ask the owner for permission before setting up your bivouac.

With children

Young children are more sensitive to the sun and to altitude: hydrate them frequently and cover them up (cap, sunglasses, high factor sun cream). Adapt the itinerary and pace to their abilities.

Download the brochures Preparing well and preserving nature

FAQ Your questions hikes & bivouacs

Are bivouacs allowed in the Belledonne and Chartreuse massifs in Isère?
Yes, bivouacking is permitted in the vast majority of the massifs in the Isère region, subject to compliance with the legal time limits: from 7pm to 9am maximum.
However, bivouacs are prohibited in certain protected areas (Luitel Nature Reserve, Lac Achard in Chamrousse, the area around Lac Merlat and Lac Claret in the commune of Revel, Espace Naturel Sensible du Praillet in Haut Bréda, etc.). As regulations may change, it is advisable to check with the communes and local tourist offices before each outing.
What are the best walking routes in the region?
What should I do if I come across a guard dog?
Protection dogs (often Patous) are working dogs whose role is to protect the herd from predators. If you come across one while out walking, adopt these reflexes: don’t run, don’t face the dog, go around the herd leaving it between you and the dog, move calmly and slowly. Never feed these dogs, and keep yours on a lead.
To find out the location of herds guarded by protection dogs, visit the PastoKezako platform.
How do you find drinking water when bivouacking in the mountains?
In the Belledonne and Isère massifs, there are water points (springs, fountains) close to most of the refuges, both guarded and unguarded. The refuges.info website lists all the water points on the routes.
For mountain streams and springs, always purify the water: boil for 1 minute, use purifying tablets or a hiking filter. Never take water from downstream of a village, herd or human settlement. Allow 3 litres per person per day for drinking, cooking and washing.
What are the rules for protecting flora and fauna when hiking in Isère?
The Isère mountain ranges (Belledonne, Chartreuse, Oisans, Vercors) are home to exceptional biodiversity. To preserve it: stay on the marked trails to limit erosion, don’t pick flowers or cut branches, don’t feed wild animals, observe wildlife from a distance with binoculars, keep your dog on a lead and don’t swim in high-altitude lakes and streams.
Bivouacs must be at least 70 m from lakes and streams. These simple gestures will help preserve a fragile natural environment that is home to chamois, ibex, black grouse and golden eagles.