Sunday, June 26, 2005
Traverse of the Brame Farine
The Brame Farine is a large mountain at the northern end of the Gresivaudan valley between Pontcharra and Allevard. This route is largely over forest tracks of moderate gradient but it is quite long. The single track from the Brame Farine to la Cochette runs over bedrock which can be quite slippy but this can be avoided by taking a diversion via Ste Catherine.
You can park your car at different spots: le Cheylas, le Moutaret or even at the top of the road at le Vernay to save 500 meters climbing. I parked at Morêtel in front of the town-hall. This village seems almost dead with just a couple of old people. I imagine the town-hall serves the whole district.
From Morêtel climb the route to the Charrière hairpin, their is a sign pointing to la Fontanil. Take the track which passes behind a large stone house and then descends steeply for 10 meters into a wood. Here there is a fork, take the right fork which tracks down through a wood before opening up onto a field. Keep to the left of the field and you will pick up the track near the opposite end, this leads into the village.
In the village turn right onto the minor road in the direction of l'Abbaye, after about 1km there is a sign which points in the direction of le Trouillet/L’Abbaye, take this track which rejoins the road a bit further on, cross over the road. There is a post with a black and yellow arrow, take the track leading to le Berruer (flèche noire sur jaune) and then Papillard.
Turn right onto the road. At Montaucher turn right onto a forest trail. At the ste Catherine (691 mètres) crossroads tehre is a track leading to the right which climbs to the Col de Goulet, it is mentioned in some mountain bike guides but is too steep to climb, even on feet in places! To the left the track leads down to the ancient citadel of Avalon. In the middle ages this was a walled town with a castle. Some parts remain in the buildings.
After about 7km of rolling track the route rejoins a main road, turn right to le Moutaret. Cross the village. There is a fountain in front of the church if you want to refill your drinks bottle. I've drunk from here with no ill effects. At the far end of the village take a right hand hairpin that climbs to the Fontanettes. After about 1km the road turns into a track with a gate to stop motor vehicles. The track climbs fairly evenly with paths leading to the left and right, always keep straight on except for an obvious fork later on where you should take the left track. Eventually you arrive at a spot known as the Crêt Brûlé from here you can see the Telecommunications Tower, a landmark clearly visible from the valley. At the Col du Goulet (sign and road that leads to the tower), take the right and 1km later take the Brame Farine road on the right. The top of the hill is, somewhat illogically, the muddiest part of the whole route and should be avoided immediately after heavy rain.
After 200 m there is the chalet de Brame Farine on a right hand hairpin, a sign indicated the orientation table straight ahead. This track is muddy but it is possible to avoid the worst with care. It rolls along the top of the ridge.
Teh orientation table dates from 1914 and very dissapointingly trees have grown all around so their is no view. A narrow and very steep track descends to the ruined barns at la Cochette. It is easy to skid both wheels on this track!
At la Cochette turn right and follow the track, then road past le Vernay to the Charrière crossroads. Turn onto the track to the house once again but this time turn left and follow the tracks that run close to the road we climbed on.
At les Mailles take the old railway track of the "Tacot" (chuff-chuff) to the village of le Cheylas (yellow markings, at one point it passes just to the right of a chalet style house). Turn left onto the D78 to Morêtel.
Location: Belledonne, Isère department
Climbing: 1951m
Descent: 1951m
Distance: 41km
Time: 4h30
More Information Brame Farine par la route forestière de Montaucher
You can park your car at different spots: le Cheylas, le Moutaret or even at the top of the road at le Vernay to save 500 meters climbing. I parked at Morêtel in front of the town-hall. This village seems almost dead with just a couple of old people. I imagine the town-hall serves the whole district.
From Morêtel climb the route to the Charrière hairpin, their is a sign pointing to la Fontanil. Take the track which passes behind a large stone house and then descends steeply for 10 meters into a wood. Here there is a fork, take the right fork which tracks down through a wood before opening up onto a field. Keep to the left of the field and you will pick up the track near the opposite end, this leads into the village.
In the village turn right onto the minor road in the direction of l'Abbaye, after about 1km there is a sign which points in the direction of le Trouillet/L’Abbaye, take this track which rejoins the road a bit further on, cross over the road. There is a post with a black and yellow arrow, take the track leading to le Berruer (flèche noire sur jaune) and then Papillard.
Turn right onto the road. At Montaucher turn right onto a forest trail. At the ste Catherine (691 mètres) crossroads tehre is a track leading to the right which climbs to the Col de Goulet, it is mentioned in some mountain bike guides but is too steep to climb, even on feet in places! To the left the track leads down to the ancient citadel of Avalon. In the middle ages this was a walled town with a castle. Some parts remain in the buildings.
After about 7km of rolling track the route rejoins a main road, turn right to le Moutaret. Cross the village. There is a fountain in front of the church if you want to refill your drinks bottle. I've drunk from here with no ill effects. At the far end of the village take a right hand hairpin that climbs to the Fontanettes. After about 1km the road turns into a track with a gate to stop motor vehicles. The track climbs fairly evenly with paths leading to the left and right, always keep straight on except for an obvious fork later on where you should take the left track. Eventually you arrive at a spot known as the Crêt Brûlé from here you can see the Telecommunications Tower, a landmark clearly visible from the valley. At the Col du Goulet (sign and road that leads to the tower), take the right and 1km later take the Brame Farine road on the right. The top of the hill is, somewhat illogically, the muddiest part of the whole route and should be avoided immediately after heavy rain.
After 200 m there is the chalet de Brame Farine on a right hand hairpin, a sign indicated the orientation table straight ahead. This track is muddy but it is possible to avoid the worst with care. It rolls along the top of the ridge.
Teh orientation table dates from 1914 and very dissapointingly trees have grown all around so their is no view. A narrow and very steep track descends to the ruined barns at la Cochette. It is easy to skid both wheels on this track!
At la Cochette turn right and follow the track, then road past le Vernay to the Charrière crossroads. Turn onto the track to the house once again but this time turn left and follow the tracks that run close to the road we climbed on.
At les Mailles take the old railway track of the "Tacot" (chuff-chuff) to the village of le Cheylas (yellow markings, at one point it passes just to the right of a chalet style house). Turn left onto the D78 to Morêtel.
Location: Belledonne, Isère department
Climbing: 1951m
Descent: 1951m
Distance: 41km
Time: 4h30
More Information Brame Farine par la route forestière de Montaucher
permalink posted by davidof : 6:44 pm
MyYahoo