Aleyrac - Citelles

A peaceful hike along wide hillside paths, close to the picturesque, tiny, hidden village of Citelles.

Details

47200978
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 173 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 179 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 507 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 334 m

Photos

Description of the walk

On the D9, coming from La Bégude-de-Mazenc (Montélimar Dieulefit road) or Salles-sous-Bois (near Grignan), take the D809 junction near the Col d'Aleyrac towards the Priory. After about 300 metres, park in a lay-by next to the hiking signs.

(S/E) Go straight down the path to the south and you will come to a road (D9). Cross this busy road carefully and follow it to the left for about 50 metres.

White-red markings

(1) Take the DFCI track on the right,GR® 429. Keep right at the next two forks and continue straight on thisGR® which eventually turns sharply to the right and joins a road (D24) and a large crossroads.

End of markings

(2) Descend to the right along the small Citelles road to the village. Cross the stream, then the village, keeping to the right at the intersections of the uphill path.

(3) Continue uphill, take the wide hairpin bend on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach a four-way crossroads at the edge of the woods.

(4) Turn right onto Chemin de La Benoite, which runs alongside the woods, and keep to the right to join Chemin de La Touche, then the tarmac Chemin des Alliés. Continue along this small road until you reach the D9.

(5) Turn right and follow the road carefully until you turn left onto the D809 towards Ruines du Prieuré and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 495 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 485 m - D9 junction
  3. 2 : km 4.21 - alt. 429 m - D24 junction
  4. 3 : km 5.47 - alt. 347 m - Citelles - Citelles (ruisseau) - Affluent du Jabron
  5. 4 : km 6.78 - alt. 421 m - Chemin de la Benoite
  6. 5 : km 9.38 - alt. 476 m - D9 junction - Lanson (ruisseau) - Affluent du Jabron
  7. S/E : km 9.93 - alt. 495 m - Car park

Worth a visit

A visit to the old priory is a must if you are unfamiliar with this magical site.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
alnobal07
alnobal07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods. A nice surprise for the hamlet of Citelles. After the Des Alliers crossroads, I took the path on the right towards Ravin de Testagnac and then La Siège – that way, you avoid a bit of tarmac.

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lumodu
lumodu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, partly under the trees and along a dirt track. Only the last kilometre is on tarmac.
The hamlet of Citelles is typical of our beautiful region
An easy walk,
but you’ll need walking shoes as there are lots of stones in places

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fuji26
fuji26

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Done on 26 April 2024 in lovely weather, though there are still plenty of wet patches; the path isn’t particularly interesting, but the citelles are worth seeing. However, the magnificent ruins of the priory are well worth a visit after the walk.

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Jipaipai
Jipaipai

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A few long stretches at the start of this hike, on paths that were still thawing, which increased the weight of our boots. We stopped for a snack near the wind turbines, which kindly stopped spinning while we were there, but only for a very short time. We then descended towards the hamlet of Les Citelles, easily crossing two fords, before tackling the fairly arduous climb back up to the plateau and returning to our cars. Don't miss the magnificent ruins of the Aleyrac chapel a few hundred metres further on, near the cemetery. You won't regret it! Not very busy at the beginning of February.

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Francoise P3.
Francoise P3.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant walk, beautiful view above the village of Les Cytelles.

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Christ12
Christ12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike in the shade through the beautiful village of La Citelle

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mmg84
mmg84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On the GR trail, there were numerous large puddles, which I think were made for wild animals because the ground underneath was very dry. It wasn't a problem for us as we were well shod and they were easy to walk around. Thank you for this pleasant trail.

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sophielaprof
sophielaprof

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike between tracks and paths, between forest and plateau. No particular difficulty. To avoid the Chemin des Alliés road, we turned right onto a small, barely visible grassy path (towards the ravine on the map), which then widens to reach Chemin de Sauveton. A few generous chestnut trees. At the entrance to Cîtelle, we continued straight on until we left the hamlet and descended to the top of the canyon, at the foot of the forbidden bridge: a lovely geological discovery. Thanks to the author for this trail.

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krisV
krisV

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy walk.
It's worth pushing on to the ruins of the Priory. This adds 2 km to the walk (on tarmac and flat ground).

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