Hiking from the slopes to the peaks

The hiking area of Laval-en-Belledonne stretches from the lower slopes to the highest peaks of the Belledonne. Hiking is possible here all year round and at every difficulty level. For a specific route, you can access the Haute Traversée de Belledonne, the GR® 738, at the Habert d’Aiguebelle. Check route conditions before setting out.

Another hike runs from the Pont de la Betta to Lac de Crop. Along the way, it passes the Torrent du Muret and the Cascade des Avoux before reaching the lake. Lac de Crop is a glacial mountain lake with views of the Chartreuse, the Dent de Crolles, the Granier and the Massif des 7 Laux. This offers a choice between a long-distance route and a hike to a named lake, to suit different hiking preferences; no information on walking time or difficulty is available.

Orienteering, cycling and climbing

In the lower part of the municipality, a permanent orienteering course introduces visitors to the sport while offering a way to discover the local heritage. Maps are available at the town hall or at the Épicerie; check locally in advance to see if they are available. Special facilities and trail markers for mountain biking have also been installed in Laval-en-Belledonne. The Bike’Arc Trail Center is in the Pré de l’Arc area and can be reached via the Route du Pré de l’Arc. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check locally before setting out.

The Site d’escalade de la Betta climbing area above the Torrent du Muret has 15 routes on gneiss. They are between 20 and 30 metres high. If you are planning to climb, check current access conditions before travelling; stated opening information does not guarantee actual availability on site.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails in the Domaine Nordique de Beldina

The Domaine Nordique de Beldina offers around 20 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and around 10 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails. These figures allow the two different winter activities to be compared without combining them into a single route. Most of the trails are in the Pré-de-l’Arc sector of Laval-en-Belledonne; access is seasonal. The reception chalet issues ski passes, rents equipment and serves light meals. These services may change with the season, so it is advisable to check the arrangements for your planned visit in advance.

Protected buildings and paintings

The Tour de Montfallet has been listed as a historic monument since 19 May 1937, and the Église Saint-Étienne since 2 June 2009. The church contains the Alleman family burial chapel. Its mural, Vierge au manteau, is 7.45 metres wide and 4.75 metres high: it depicts the Virgin Mary sheltering more than 300 people beneath her outstretched mantle. The mural can be viewed during the Journées du patrimoine and by request.

The Chapelle des Alleman has a 15th-century fresco and forms part of the municipality’s protected historic heritage. In the Chapelle Sainte-Gertrude in the hamlet of Prabert, a Romanesque arch separates the choir from the nave; the ceilings are decorated with painted wood panelling. The chapel is believed to date from the 14th century. The two chapels each have their own distinctive features: one has a fresco, while the other brings together an arch, a nave and a painted ceiling.

Mining history and hydropower

At Place de la Boutière, information panels describe life and work at the former mine. Restored masts, cables, skip buckets and pulleys from former mining sites are also displayed there in a landscaped area with tables and benches. The site was inaugurated on 21 September 2024. Check the condition of the installation and panels on site before visiting.

The Centrale de Loury, also known as Bas-Laval, is another part of the industrial heritage. Maurice Bergès built it in 1906 in a narrow gorge above the Ruisseau de Laval. The hydroelectric plant, carved into the rock, houses turbine generators. As evidence of the development of the white coal industry in the Grésivaudan Valley at the foot of the Belledonne, its historical context spans the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its location in the gorge and difficult access add to its heritage value.

There are several ways to plan a trip here: hikes range from the Belledonne slopes to Lac de Crop, while the historic buildings, paintings and traces of mining and hydropower history appeal to other interests. In winter, cross-country skiing and marked snowshoe trails are also available, subject to the season.

Discover more destinations: Seyssins, Dionay, Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas, Chonas-L'amballan, Bourgoin, Besse, Moidieu-Détourbe, Vizille

For the regional travel overview: Isere.