If you’re looking for challenging, beautiful days spent in imposing mountains and the unique feeling of watching a sunset from a ridge, then the GR de Pays du Pays d'Allevard is for you. From mountain pastures to scree slopes, this itinerary reveals France’s Belledonne mountain range, a real playground for hikers in search of adventures in the wild.

The Belledonne is made up of three massifs: Belledonne, the 7 Laux and Allevard. You explore the latter two on this hike. The route is demanding with a lot of daily elevation gain so it’s only suitable for people who are in good shape. The last two stages are the only slightly more relaxed sections. However, your efforts are rewarded with incredible panoramas from the high peaks of Belledonne, Chartreuse, Vercors, Bauges and Aravis. You discover magnificent glacial lakes, walk along absolutely spectacular ridge paths and enjoy the unique atmosphere of isolated mountain refuges.

In my opinion, this hike is the perfect itinerary for those who are looking to go on an autonomous adventure. The absence of staffed refuges on the first half of the route means you have to carry enough food and water. The second half of the GRP is more comfortable, with several guarded refuges where you can get a meal and buy picnics. Wild camping is tolerated on the whole route and the Tour Pays d'Allevard is hard to beat in terms of places to pitch your tent – there are so many quality spots in wonderful scenery!

The easiest way to reach Allevard-les-Bains is with the T86 bus which takes you from Grenoble station to the start of the hike in about an hour. You can reach Grenoble by train or bus.

Finally, I recommend planning your trip between May and October. Most of the route is below 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) of altitude so you shouldn’t encounter any snow during these months.