In Mandrin country

Wind through the valleys between Brion and Saint-Michel-de-Saint-Geoirs, then climb up to the ridge where you will have 360° views of Mezenc, Pilat, the Plaine de la Bièvre, the Chartreuse, Belledone, and the Vercors.
End by walking through Mouillasson forest to get back to your vehicle.

Technical sheet

242204
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 402 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 404 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 747 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 492 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the town hall, school, and Brion church.

(S/E) From the village of Brion, head gently downhill to the north along the D129 which crosses Brion (if you are heading uphill, you are going in the wrong direction). Take the second small road on the right, Chemin de la Combe Reynaud (signpost), which leads more steeply downhill.

(1) When you reach the D518, cross the road, taking care of traffic, then take Chemin de la Poterie in front of you.
You will soon reach a sign for "La poterie": keep going straight on along the small tarmacked road. After a wide bend to the left, take the dirt track, which is also on the left.

The track comes out shortly afterwards opposite a very large shed, on a small road, which you then take to the left. Keep following this road all the way to the end, up a lovely valley below the village of Saint-Michel-de-Saint-Geoirs.
N.B. The IGN map is inaccurate here: your road does not go up to the left towards Saint-Michel-de-Saint-Geoirs, but continues straight on (as indicated on the track plotted on the map).
When you reach a crossroads, go straight on: the road climbs up steeply ahead.

(2) You will come out onto on a small road with a series of recycling bins on your left. Take a sharp right down Chemin des Arêtes with your back to the village of Saint-Michel-de-Saint-Geoirs.
The road takes you through a hamlet (Les Granges), where it is worth stopping to see the old walnut drying building on your left (it dates from 1902; this is part of the region of the Noix de Grenoble appellation).

You will soon reach a fork. There is no point taking out a coin, take the right hand path (Chemin de Magnin), which will take you up through the beautiful valley of Magnin until you come out at a walnut grove.

(3) Here the path is not obvious. Keep going straight on alongside the small gorge on your left. The path gradually becomes more visible again. It bears away to the right and leads over to a group of houses. Turn left onto a small road.

(4) At an electricity pylon you will see place name: "Les Arêtes". Take the path that leads uphill opposite you. It will soon reach the edge of a wood. Turn right, then shortly afterwards, turn left up the track. You will reach a first signpost ("Le Four" – Les Arêtes 0.1 km). Keep going straight on.

(5) 100m further on, you will reach a second signpost for "Les Arêtes.” Turn right here down a wide gravel track. You will be able to enjoy the views that gradually open up around you.

Now follow the Tullins-Vinay GRP footpath (Grande Randonnée de Pays – Long Regional Hike) until you reach the waypoint (9) (Red and Yellow waymarks). Before long you will reach a signpost for "Montolivet": keep going straight on. The track will take you past a memorial plaque for Louis Mandarin who often roamed the area (picnic area). You will reach the Croix de Baron crossroads (wooden cross).

(6). Take the dirt track that leads uphill opposite you. Before long it will reach a small tarmacked road, which you then take to the left.
Ignore a path off to your right (signpost for "Buisson Rond") and keep going until you reach the pass of Col de la Croix de Toutes Aures.

(7) When you reach the pass, carefully cross the D518 and continue opposite you, then take the second road on the right immediately afterwards (signposted "Brion" -D129). The road takes you straight through the hamlet of Grange Neuve. Ignore a path off to the left that leads to a house, and then take the next path on the left (there are materials stored on an embankment). Turn left again to climb up the hill. Ignore a path off to the right.

(8) On your left you will reach a viewpoint with an orientation board and a picnic table. After stopping to admire the view, continue straight on. You will reach the D156 leading up from the pass at Croix de Revorin. Take the grassy path on your right, which isn’t very obvious, but which will become clearer as you reach the copse. It then comes out onto a gravel track. Turn right, and then at the fork take the left-hand path leading uphill.

(9) You will reach a complicated crossroads. Take the path to the far right, leaving the GRP footpath.
Continue along a very flat, easy path through Mouillasson forest (a hundred metres off to your left is Chambaran nature reserve surrounded by a fence).

(10) You will reach another complicated crossroads (signpost "Le Plâtre"). Turn right. N.B. The path is very steep and in the space of a very short time you will descend all the altitude gained during the walk. The small road will take you back to the D129, where you turn right to reach the centre of Brion and the car park(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 563 m - Brion church
  2. 1 : km 1.06 - alt. 508 m - D518
  3. 2 : km 3.39 - alt. 569 m - Carrefour near the sorting containers
  4. 3 : km 4.66 - alt. 620 m - You arrive in a walnut grove
  5. 4 : km 5.33 - alt. 690 m - Les Arêtes (EDF pylon)
  6. 5 : km 5.88 - alt. 740 m - Le Four" sign
  7. 6 : km 6.9 - alt. 692 m - Croix de Baron "2010
  8. 7 : km 8.13 - alt. 629 m - Col de la Croix de Toutes Aures
  9. 8 : km 9.77 - alt. 681 m - Orientation table
  10. 9 : km 10.73 - alt. 708 m - Complex crossroads
  11. 10 : km 11.65 - alt. 662 m - Lieu-dit "Le Plâtre
  12. S/E : km 12.66 - alt. 563 m - Brion church

Practical information

As far as Saint-Michel-de-Saint-Geoirs the walk takes you along small tarmacked roads. After this there is a combination of stony tracks and tarmacked roads.

By doing the walk clockwise, you can avoid starting with the steep slope from Brion up to Plâtre. It also means you can keep the best views for the end of the walk.

Shortly after "Montolivet," there are two picnic tables.

Just before Croix de Revorin, there is also a picnic table and a viewpoint with an orientation board.

In the nearby area

The views of the Alps, the Prealps, and the Massif Central.
The walnut drying buildings.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
claude ARCHINARD
claude ARCHINARD
• Last modified:

A very nice walk, even if the slopes are sometimes steep. Surfaces generally on road, very little traffic.

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Poupoule38
Poupoule38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice tour, a bit of a drive at the start but as there's no-one around it's not too bad. We took 1 hour less than stated, although we had a picnic on the way.
I recommend it, even with children.

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Faphifaphi
Faphifaphi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk with a variety of landscapes. Very precise and reliable directions. Just one detail: in the combe de Magnin, the path is not very well marked but visible, so don't hesitate to follow it as indicated on the information sheet as far as the well-cleared walnut grove and the small group of houses.

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samsonnet26
samsonnet26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike on 10/12/2023 in beautiful sunshine, we enjoyed the view of the snow-capped mountains. As noted some hiker many passages on tarmac road. But sometimes there's no choice. Often the cause of local residents or landowners who do not like hikers.

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casillas
casillas

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice circuit, but a bit too many small roads with no traffic seen by anyone on this walk 12.8 km for 380 m D+ done for the second time

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masdelaraz38
masdelaraz38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The various mountain ranges were present, albeit in grey, which was to be expected given the day's weather. We loved the various walnut dryers we came across along the way. Thanks to the author for pointing out several picnic spots, we made the most of them with a fantastic panorama in front of us. A great family outing (preferably with teenagers, as there are some nice climbs).

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schonchon
schonchon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice hike

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Jako38
Jako38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Lots of tarmac but a very fine route. Very precise description. Many magnificent viewpoints. Autumn is the ideal season for this walk.

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grandlarge
grandlarge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Bon Jour ,
Done on 29 / 05 with a 🌞👍 , very nice views , a little restaurant at the pass very pleasant
Lovely hike with an excellent description. Bravo, it's not often that they're so well done! 🙏

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030753am
030753am
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great walk with magnificent views, it's a shame there's a bit too much tarmac at the start for about 2 km, otherwise the paths are fine,
A beautiful Easter day, sunny and cool.

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ALEXC15
ALEXC15

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk with beautiful views!
The only small regret is that there is a lot of tarmac, otherwise nothing to complain about.

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sboisseaux
sboisseaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and the magnificent autumn colours, all in a very peaceful setting.
Period and route rich in walnuts, chestnuts and porcini mushrooms
Thank you for this excellent description!

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casillas
casillas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant route with no difficulty in finding your way if you follow the Viso route well. A little muddy this time of year, but nothing too serious, beautiful scenery over the valleys, many thanks to the route-maker.

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Gerard.REYNAUD
Gerard.REYNAUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The GPX track is essential at this time of year. At point 3, you come across an unmown meadow with waist-high grass that you have to cross, especially as no one before me had made the crossing.

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fquenault
fquenault

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice. Away from the crowds of hikes around Grenoble...
Beautiful views. Pretty valleys....
Very happy with our day

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