Hike to
The crests and plateau of La Molière

La Molière is a plateau topped by crests where the village boundaries of Autrans, Engins and Lans-en-Vercors meet.

It owes its fame to the wide view from its ridge line and its high point, Charande. In the foreground, a pasture grazed by cattle in summer. The forest then plunges into the Furon gorges. The Grenoble area spreads out, ringed by Belledonne and Chartreuse. Far away, the Écrins and Mont Blanc rise into the sky.

La Molière is a target for a fine Vercors hike from Autrans.

There are several ways to get there, for the walker and for the hiker.

Gentle walk to La Molière

For those whose fitness leans toward an easy outing rather than a hike with 600 to 700 m of climb.

In winter, the lifts at La Sure (Autrans) drop you 3 km from La Molière, ready for a fine snowshoe walk in the Vercors via Plénouze, another lovely viewpoint.

In summer, the Molière road links Autrans to a car park near the site, winding through the forest from the La Sure ski station. Shuttles may run by the time you read this, so check with the Autrans tourist office.

Up there, plenty of signposts will point you toward Charande for a short climb to the top of the crests, or toward the Molière refuge across the plateau.

Sporting hike to La Molière

For more active walkers, many waymarked trails climb from the villages of Engins, Autrans or Lans-en-Vercors.

We describe below an ascent from Lans-en-Vercors to the Molière plateau. It follows a ridge path through La Croix de Jaume, with regular views over the Lans valley and the well-known summits of the Four Mountains area, including the Moucherotte, the Cornafion and the Grande Moucherolle.

Head for the Jaume roundabout. You can arrive in style by bike or bus via the Lans-en-Vercors bus station.

From there, follow the yellow-and-green waymarks along the road, then pick up a wide track called the Chemin de Rochefort. It lifts you over the Lans valley.

After crossing the road to the Col de la Croix Perrin, the track (with a tricky gradient) reaches the crest. Lift your eyes from your boots and enjoy the panoramas. A bench at La Croix de Jaume invites a pause with a view over Lans.

You finally reach the Pas de Bellecombe. Several choices open up. Cross the Molière plateau and, in summer, watch the many marmots. Or follow the crests on a trail where tree shade is welcome when the sun is high.

The more sporty will push the hike to the Sornin plateau or the summit of La Sure.

You can return by the same way or close a loop by going down to the hamlet of Les Egauds, then back to the centre of Lans-en-Vercors on a quiet road.

La Molière photo gallery

If useful, here is the GPX track of the climb from Lans-en-Vercors to the Pas de Bellecombe.

Want to be guided for a day hike or a bivouac, and to enjoy hiking enriched by stories of local heritage or the Vercors wildlife? Contact the Pied Vert mountain leaders by phone (07 66 64 90 96) or by email (contactpiedvert.com pbagnpg@cvrqireg.pbz).

Because of heavy visitor numbers and its biodiversity, La Molière and Le Sornin are now a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) with rules in place to protect the site. Please check those rules before planning, for example, a bivouac to enjoy the sunset over Grenoble.

Enjoyed this hike? We suggest reading our description of the Vercors Highlands or this hike to the Grand Veymont.

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The cover photo of this article showing the Molière plateau is by mountain photographer Pierre LONCHAMPT. He walks the Alps through the seasons to capture the landscapes the massifs offer, especially his favourite, the Vercors. We invite you to discover more of his work and his prints on sale at his website: pierrelonchampt.com

Discover our nature and mountain activities in the Vercors near the Molière plateau