The perfect loop for your discovery half-day: Le Sappey, the Col de Porte and the Col du Coq, less than an hour from Grenoble. Pure Chartreuse, and all of it inside the 100 km included.
🏍️ Included in the €49 discovery deal. This loop is under 100 km, so it fits inside the mileage allowance of your half-day on a Triumph — from age 20 on an A2 licence.
The loop in detailGrenoble, Le Sappey, Col de Porte, Col du Coq61 kmapprox. 1 h 25
envie2rouler shop — Grenoble (La Tronche)start
Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse+12 km
Col de Porte+6 km
Col du Coq+13 km
envie2rouler shop — Grenoble+31 km
What you pass along the way
Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse: the first village in the massif, ten minutes from the shop, with the Néron as a backdrop.
The Col de Porte (1,326 m): the family ski station of the massif and its large car park, the natural break on this loop.
The Col du Coq (1,434 m): the high point of the ride, at the foot of the Dent de Crolles.
Photo stops not to be missed
Six stops scouted along the 61 km of the loop, all within thirty minutes of Grenoble.
1
Le Sappey-en-ChartreuseThe first village in the massif, ten minutes from the shop, with the outline of the Néron behind.
2
The Col de Palaquit, 1,154 mAn open clearing in the middle of the forest, good light in the morning.
3
The Col de Porte, 1,326 mThe gap onto the Chartreuse ridges from the car park at the pass.
4
The Col du Coq, 1,434 mThe high point of the loop, with the Dent de Crolles straight above you — the most recognisable outline in the massif.
5
The descent to Saint-PancrasseThe Grésivaudan valley opening up all at once, with the Belledonne range opposite.
6
The hairpins on the Grésivaudan sideNear the bottom of the descent, several bends let you frame the road against the slope.
What you will see along the way
Three passes in under an hour and a half of riding
This short loop is built for the discovery half-day: Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, the Col de Palaquit (1,154 m), the Col de Porte (1,326 m) and the Col du Coq (1,434 m), which is in fact the high point of the ride. Sixty-one kilometres, almost all of them bends, never more than thirty minutes away from Grenoble.
Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, the first village out of Grenoble: La Pinéa on the left, Chamechaude behind. Photo: Chartreuse Tourisme
The Col du Coq and the Dent de Crolles
The climb to the Col du Coq ends at the foot of the Dent de Crolles, one of the most recognisable outlines in the massif. The pass is a dead end on the eastern side: you ride up for the view and the hairpins, then drop back down to Saint-Pancrasse and the Grésivaudan valley.
The Col de Porte from above: the road leaves the spruce forest just before the pass, at 1,326 m. Photo: Albane Villecourt / Chartreuse Tourisme
The ideal way to get the feel of the bike
Wide roads, sound surfaces, readable bends: this is the route we recommend for a first ride on a bike you do not know yet. Being close to Grenoble also lets you cut the loop short or extend it depending on how you feel and on the weather.
Good to know before you set off
61 km: the loop sits comfortably inside the 100 km included in the €49 discovery deal.
About 1 h 25 of actual riding — a comfortable half-day once you add the stops.
Best season: April to October. The Chartreuse passes can be snow-covered in midwinter.
The Col du Coq is a dead end to the east: you come back down the Grésivaudan side.
Watch for cyclists — there are many of them on these three passes at weekends.
Frequently asked questions
What does the €49 discovery deal include?
A half-day rental with 100 km and insurance included, from Grenoble, on an A2 or a full A licence. Helmet and gloves are offered as extras. The discovery deal is non-cancellable.
Is 61 km enough for a first ride?
Yes. Three passes and an hour and a half of actual riding already make a fine half-day, especially on a bike you are discovering. The route stays within the 100 km included.
Do I need experience for this loop?
No. The roads are wide, well surfaced and consistent. It is our most accessible route, designed for getting the feel of the bike.
Can I set off at any time?
Yes — pick-up and return are self-service 24/7 thanks to a secure key box in Grenoble.
Ready to ride for €49?
The Triumph Trident 660 (A2) is waiting for you in Grenoble, prepared and insured. Book your discovery half-day, pick your date and your slot, and set off on this loop.
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