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Summer hike: La cheminée d'équilibre
Description
A trail in the forest takes you to the orientation table. You dominate the valley and look over the dam Verney below. The panorama stretches from the plain of Bourg d'Oisans to Belledonne.
The path runs along the two sides separating the ridge that descends from Rissiou. At the passage of the stop, at Collet, one arrives at the place where the equilibrium chimney of the development of Grand'Maison emerges from the ground. To learn more about this development, Hydrelec's visit is essential. The view is superb across the Eau d'Olle valley and the Vaujany ski area, the Grandes Rousses massif, south of the plain of Bourg d'Oisans, the eastern slope of Belledonne. TO SEE ON THE COURSE: You appreciate the panorama of the neighboring massifs and the space which is offered to you, with the freshness of the woods and the path exposed West. TO KNOW: The path continues for 2km to Pourchery through the Condamine (hamlets below Vaujany D- 807m).
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Date and time
- From 01/05/2026 to 31/10/2026
- From 01/05/2026 to 01/11/2026
- From 01/05/2027 to 31/10/2027
Additional information
Environments
Mountain view
Panoramic view
Forest location
Lake view
Mountain location
Type of land
Ground
Not suitable for strollers
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Lien carte OPB n°2
Open period
From 01/05 to 31/10 daily.
Updated by
Office de Tourisme de Vaujany - 15/06/2026
www.vaujany.com/fr/
Report a problem
Contact
Phone : 04 76 80 72 37
Email : info@vaujany.com
Website : https://www.vaujany.com/fr/
Reception complements
Steep forest path
Viewpoint with an orientation table
History, culture and heritage
When the Grand Maison dam was built, a gallery was dug between the Grand Maison lake and the Verney lake, crossing the Rissiou massif. This is the massif in which you hike today.
The water is therefore transported from behind the mountain to the EDF power station. This power station has the particularity of producing electricity as the water passes through the turbines, and also pumps the water back into the original lake of Grand Maison. A double function. The balance stack is a kind of valve, which regulates the pressure in the pipe. The whole of the pipes that carry the water are located underground.
From the chimney of equilibrium you can go to the orientation table to admire the breathtaking view on the valley of the Eau D'Olle. Lac du Verney, the power station of Le Verney and Grand Maison and the view of Grand Galbert.
Tricky passages
Crossing a small stream over stepping stones.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
From the Tourist Office, head towards Le Petit Vaujany (the church), keeping the Saphir building (Museum and Cinema) on your left. The start of the Chemin du Bessey is directly opposite, near the fountain. Follow the path uphill to reach the orientation table and the surge shaft.
Animals
Yes
Data author
