The first warm-up is a beautiful climb towards the hamlet of Bandets. The climb is well rewarded! From the hamlet, the view opens up, allowing you to see the entire Grand Som range and even the Pic de Chamechaude, the highest peak in the Chartreuse massif, in the background. The path then takes you through the two hamlets of St Même, passing between typical houses and ponds.

As you arrive at the Cirque, you're in for a beautiful climb through the forest, with the path winding through the trees and a lookout point offering a glimpse of the Pisse du Guiers, the last of the waterfalls. After a good half-hour climb, you'll encounter a steep, rocky descent to the majestic Grande Cascade and its vertical cliffs. The view from the wooden footbridge is still splendid. On the way down, watch out for tree roots that might trip you up! Need more water? A short round trip reveals the more discreet Cascade Isolée. Then it's back to the plain of the Cirque for a well-deserved rest, listening to the sound of the river. The return journey is a mere formality.

Throughout the hike, be cautious as the paths can be wet, steep, and sometimes close to cliff edges. The forests we traverse are private, so please stick to the marked paths.

PLEASE NOTE: Bivouacking and fires are PROHIBITED in the Cirque de St Même.