Grand Serre to the Taillefer running tour - 34 km - Black level

Nice shepherd's hut, which offers a splendid view on the valley of Roizonne. The hut is very well located, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Local pastoralism remains.The Perimetre's hut is very basic and offers the same comfort as usual in mountain huts, the wooden stove doesn't draw very well. On the ground floor there is a stove and a table with 2 benches. On the first floor there is a sleeping place for a small group. You will find a little stream near the place, but the spring doesn't flow anymore. We recommend up to bring matches and small candles to light your evening. Be sure to take back all your trash with you, there is no toilets and you are in a protected natural area, please keep this in mind.

Meet art at summit of Taillefer ! There is a very contemporary statue of Saint Eloi, the patron saint of blacksmithsOn the summit is a statue of Saint Eloi, patron of blacksmiths. This statue was installed by military men of the second Varces equipment company, on April the 3rd of 1998 as part of EVAT (Army volunteering).The sand and cement have been carried up by men with a bad weather that didn´t allow to build the statue. They had to come back the next week. The statue was conceived in Besançon. It´s made with an old armor plates of tanks, the body weighs 110 kilos and 4 soldiers took turns every 100m during the climb to carry it. Everything was bolted on summit.

This stone is dedicated to Sir Paul Mistral, mayor of Grenoble born at Alpe du Grand Serre.Paul Mistral was born in our village, bright student from elementary school, he enters at La Mure High School in 1887. There, his intelligence and tenacious work are noticed. He goes to Grenoble and work in a factory as an industrial designer. This work makes him understand the difficulties working class faces. He creates the newspaper "Right of people". He campaigns tirelessly for social creations. Desiring to improve the lives and well-being of it´s citizens, he dedicates his work to the most disadvantaged and poorly housed people. From 1919 he is mayor of Grenoble after having been previously MP in 1910. He creates the Paul Mistral city, made of suburban houses with small gardens where it is possible to grow vegetables and flowers for the house. The city is renewed by acquisition from army of the walls on the south side. This allowed to create new avenues and gave the city the opportunity to grow beyond these walls that became useless. He brought about the "International Exhibition of white carbon and Tourism", giving Grenoble an international renown and the benefit of all modern facilities. Visionary wise man, he will be regularly re-elected as mayor to his death. He does not forget his born place, having a nice house built and using his influence to build the road between Séchilienne and La Morte. Unfortunately he died before seeing it finished. The stone of this monument is made of serpentine, green marble rock extracted from Chinarde quarry.

Taillefer is the richest range of Dauphiné, both for its fauna and flora. It´s summit 2857 m high in altitude offers stunning views over the horizon. A sculpture of Saint Antoine stands there, waiting for you.The Taillefer's name come from the metal giving a red color to the rocks. Sometimes it gives the impression that it's just a pile of iron ore. A former lead mine gave its name to "Pas de la Mine" with a passway to Sergent Pinelli Edge, and to the summit. The summit plateau is rounded and rocky, red-tinted as well, contrasting from the steep slopes of the north face often covered with snow in late spring. The summit of Taillefer, is perched on a relatively isolated range and offers beautiful views over Oisans, Grandes Rousses, Belledonne and Vercors ranges. You will also have an exceptional panorama view from Blanc Mount to the Ventoux Mount.

Bivouac and caravan area open all year round. Tent camping is possible on the grassland. Located in the center of the site, next to the playground, you will find an electrical hookup and sanitary facilities.The parking is located in the village centre, next to Town Hall, nordic area playgrounds and two minutes from the road to the waterfall, the via ferrata. The caravan area has power and drinking water supply and toilet and drain area. You must use a gas heater, the electrical power is not strong enough for an electric device. We accept caravan all year round. No RV dump station (you can drain in the toilets). From the 15th of june 2025, you will find a new sanitary block, with a surface of 18m2, which contain : - 2 individual shower rooms, each equipped with a washbasin and mirror - 2 toilet cubicles (1 male, 1 female) with hand-washing sinks - 1 separate dishwashing area with 2 sinks, worktops, and 4 mixer taps Cassette toilet filling and emptying is possible in the sanitary block toilets. Payment is to be made on site in cash or by cheque (plus tourist tax), or directly at the town hall. In winter, snow removal is provided and a free shuttle service takes you to the ski slopes during school holidays and weekends.