Belledonne

Belledonne is a mountain massif in the French Alps, part of the Dauphiné Alps, rising immediately east of Grenoble in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its highest point is the Grand Pic de Belledonne at 2,977 metres.

The range is used year-round for outdoor recreation: summer hiking and alpine routes access high ridges and glacial cirques, while western slopes host ski areas and winter facilities serving Grenoble. Trails vary from long multi-day traverses along the crest to shorter valley walks and lake routes.

The massif is a distinct geological block within the French Alps and has long been used for pastoralism, forestry and mountain sports. Over the 19th and 20th centuries recreational infrastructure such as mountain huts and ski resorts expanded to serve visitors from Grenoble and beyond.

Geographically the Belledonne chain runs directly east of the city of Grenoble and spans a series of valleys and ridges in the departments that form the eastern flank of the Grenoble basin.

• Highest peak: Highest point is the Grand Pic de Belledonne at 2,977 metres above sea level.
• Proximity to Grenoble: The massif rises directly to the east of Grenoble and is a prominent backdrop to the city, accessible for day trips from the Grenoble area.

What to See #

• Grand Pic de Belledonne (summit): The highest summit of the range, a rocky peak that reaches 2,977 metres and forms the principal objective for long ridge hikes and alpine ascents.
• Chamrousse and western ski areas: A long-established ski and mountain recreation area located on the western slopes of the massif, serving Grenoble and surrounding communities with winter slopes and summer trails.