CANYONING IN THE CHARTREUSE

The canyoning on the Chartreuse

The Chartreuse is a mountain range in the Pre-Alps, straddling the departments of Isère and Savoie and surrounded by the towns of Grenoble to the south and Chambéry to the north. The Chartreuse is also within easy reach of the Lyonnais in search of adventure.

Most of the Chartreuse massif is made up of limestone, and its special feature is its large caves, making it a magnificent playground for canyoning and speleologies. Whether you're canyoning or hiking, it's hard to believe that the Chartreuse Natural Park is so close to Grenoble or Chambéry and only 1 hour's drive from Lyon. The world you'll encounter here will make you forget the city in no time!

Among the countless waterfalls in the Chartreuse massif, VERTIC'O has put together a selection of the best canyoning spots not to be missed! The Alloix waterfalls and the famous Infernet canyon, as impressive as it is unusual, will not leave you indifferent. And yes, the canyons in the Chartreuse are often characterised by large waterfalls that create a unique atmosphere.

We'll show you all this in the Infernet or Alloix canyons!

OUR CANYONS IN THE CHARTREUSE

A selection of the best canyoning near Grenoble & Lyon

ALL OUR CANYONS AROUND GRENOBLE IN THE ISÈRE

Click on the icon to the left of "Canyons - Vertic'O" to see all our canyons

Furon canyon (Upper part) – Vercors massif – from 44€/pers

Furon canyon (Lower part) – Vercors massif – from 44€/pers

Furon canyon (INTEGRAL) - Vercors massif – from 75€/pers

Ecouges canyon (Lower part) – Vercors massif – from 55€/pers

Ecouges canyon (INTEGRAL) – Vercors massif – from 120€/pers

Versoud canyon – Vercors massif – from 44€/pers

Infernet canyon – Chartreuse massif – from 50€/pers

Alloix canyon – Chartreuse massif – from 50€/pers

Ternèze Boyat canyon – Bauges massif – from 44€/pers

 
Wild canyons near Grenoble and Lyon

CANYONING IN THE CHARTREUSE MASSIF

Canyoning in the Chartreuse

Canyoning in the Chartreuse is a mountain activity that involves descending gorges of varying depths by combining walking, swimming, jumping, sliding down natural water slides, and rappelling.
In the Chartreuse, the routes tend to be technical, and the atmosphere can be truly exceptional!

At Vertic’O, we offer canyoning routes for both experienced canyoneers and beginners looking to try it for the first time.

The Grenant Canyon, just above Lake Aiguebelette, is an excellent introduction before heading to the spectacular Infernet Canyon in the heart of the Chartreuse. We’re just 20 minutes from downtown Grenoble and an hour’s drive from Lyon or Chambéry, yet it feels like you’re completely cut off from the world. It’s a wonderful way to escape the sweltering heat of the cities and discover the Chartreuse.

Where can you go canyoning in the Chartreuse ?

There are many canyoning sites in the Chartreuse, but by far the best known is the iconic Infernet Canyon—the jewel of the mountain range. It’s located in the town of Quaix-en-Chartreuse, just 20 minutes from downtown Grenoble. It’s a truly unique route that’s sure to impress everyone!

A little further into the heart of the Chartreuse lies the Chaille Canyon, which involves a lot of swimming. You’ll tackle the Chaille Canyon if you want to take on a multitude of jumps and steep, narrow passages! The water there is magnificent and crystal-clear, and the setting is truly wild.

But the Grenant Canyon, near Lake Aiguebelette, remains one of the best entry points for canyoning in the Chartreuse. It’s a canyon perfect for beginners and is great for families.

And if you’re looking for an even greater challenge, you can tackle the massive waterfall in the Craponoz Canyon, just above the town of Bernin! It features two large vertical sections that you descend through, including a final 120-meter waterfall that you’ll tackle in one go. A true gem of a canyoning experience in the heart of the Chartreuse—an unforgettable adventure!

In any case, these canyons offer a wonderful opportunity to explore this mountain range. In terms of accessibility, the Chartreuse canyons are easily reached from the Lyon area as well as from Savoie, including Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains.

When is the best time to go canyoning in the Chartreuse ?

Canyoning in the Chartreuse Mountains is possible throughout spring and summer, but conditions vary significantly depending on the canyon and water levels. Water flow can be quite high at the start of the season, which is precisely when we’ll go canyoning down the Alloix waterfalls or through the spectacular Craponoz Canyon.

A little later in the season, we’ll head to the town of Quaix en Chartreuse for a wonderful trip through the Infernet Canyon.

Generally speaking, in the Chartreuse Mountains, water flows can be strong, and canyoning conditions depend heavily on the weather. At Vertic’O, we’ll adapt and offer you the best canyoning descent in the Chartreuse—the one that suits you best!

Why go canyoning in the Chartreuse ?

Canyoning is a way to explore places and landscapes in the most spectacular way possible. It’s a sport that combines adventure and discovery. It’s also a fun and thrilling activity that will help you forget the sweltering heat of big cities like Lyon or Grenoble.

If you’re eager to tackle these beautiful waterfalls, if you want to discover the world of canyoning through the limestone gorges of the Chartreuse, then the Vertic’O team is here to welcome you and provide the best advice to ensure your canyoning experience in the Chartreuse is unforgettable.

See you soon…