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"Le Cirque de St Même" walk
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Description
Exceptional natural site at the foot of the Nature Reserve of Hauts de Chartreuse and source of the Guiers Vif, the Cirque de St Même offers a walk between forest and torrent to discover its waterfalls.
It may be a short walk, but it's a good one! It's a lovely climb through the forest that awaits you, with the path winding through the trees and a lookout point giving you a glimpse of the Pisse du Guiers, the last of the waterfalls. After a good half-hour climb, it's a steep, rocky descent to the majestic Grande Cascade and its vertical cliffs. The view from the wooden footbridge is still splendid. On the way down, be careful, the tree roots are trying to trip you up! More water? A short round trip reveals the more discreet Cascade Isolée. Then it's back to the plain of the Cirque for a well-deserved rest to the sound of the river.
Throughout the hike, you should take care as the paths are wet and steep and sometimes on the edge of a cliff.
The forests are private, so keep to the marked paths.
PLEASE NOTE: Bivouacs and fires are FORBIDDEN in the Cirque de St Même.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 01/04/2026 to 31/10/2026
Additional information
Updated by
Chartreuse Tourisme - 17/10/2025
www.chartreuse-tourisme.com/
Report a problem
Contact
Phone : 04 79 65 81 90
Email : info@chartreuse-tourisme.com
Website : https://www.chartreuse-tourisme.com/stmeme
Open period
From 01/04 to 31/10.
Subject to favorable weather.
Environments
Forest location
Mountain view
Mountain location
In a nature reserve
Waterfall view
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ From the car park (for which a charge is made in high season), follow the closed road along the right bank of the Guiers Vif. Initially tarmacked, the path then becomes more varied. 2/ At the next signpost, turn left onto the path that climbs through the forest. 3/ Halfway up, there is a lookout point where you can see the first waterfall. Continue up the winding path to the level and take the path on the right that leads back down to the Grande Cascade (warning: do not take the path on the left, it is dangerous and unmarked). 4/ Begin the descent over the wooden bridge to the left bank. Continue downhill through the forest. At the next signpost, turn right to discover the isolated waterfall. Retrace your steps and turn right to continue downhill until you reach the meadow. Throughout the hike, you should take care as the paths are wet and steep and sometimes on the edge of a cliff. The forests we cross are private, so keep to the marked paths. PLEASE NOTE: Bivouacs and fires are FORBIDDEN in the Cirque de St Même.
Animals
Yes
