Around the Gerbole stream

A fairly short hike that follows many shaded and fairly steep paths. A walk that allows you to appreciate the contrast between the cool, enclosed areas leading to the Gerbole stream and the wide, open views of the Pilat massif and the vineyards of the northern Côtes du Rhône.
A change of scenery, a little physically demanding, just a few kilometres from Vienne...

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 343 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 340 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 381 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 236 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: There are two ways to get to the starting point.
- Coming from the south of Vienne, 800m after the bottom of the large cobbled descent (N7), take the small road on the right that passes under the large motorway bridge (Chemin de l'Aubressin).
- Coming from the north of Vienne, follow the new N7 (along the Rhône) southwards. Keep heading towards "Roussillon". Just after the interchange, you will pass under two bridges (including the A7 motorway bridge). Immediately after, turn left onto the small road that passes under the large motorway bridge (Chemin de l'Aubressin).
In both cases, follow Chemin de l'Aubressin, passing the hamlet of L'Aubressin. After a total climb of 2.7 km, stop just before a second right-angle bend to the right. On the left, there is a small grass car park belonging to the ACCA de Reventin on the left-hand side of the road, opposite a large isolated house enclosed by a large dark green metal gate (photo 1).

(S/E) On the side of the car park, opposite the green gate, take the shaded path that descends gently into the forest. After a gentle 500m descent, the main path curves sharply to the left and begins to descend much more steeply (do not take the path that goes straight ahead at this left-hand bend). The lower part (about 100 metres) of the path is particularly steep, rocky and slippery.

(1) At the bottom, cross a small concrete bridge over the Gerbole stream (photo 2). Follow the path uphill. After about 30 metres, at a crossroads, take the path on the right that descends slightly towards the stream. The path climbs again to cross a tiny stream (photo 3) in an area that is a little dark in summer. The path continues to climb with changes in gradient and alternating open and winding sections. The path continues through a sort of hedge between two barbed wire fences with beautiful views (photo 4). At the end of this hedge, the path turns right and becomes a wide grassy track which you follow until you reach a junction with a wide track, where you can see an outcrop of tuffeau stone on the left (photo 5). There is a beautiful view behind you of the Pilat massif.

(2) At the junction with this track, just after a beautiful tuffeau outcrop (photo 5), turn right. After 50 metres, the path suddenly turns into a trail that runs alongside a huge pasture. Follow this trail for about 500 metres. The trail climbs and arrives at a small road.

(3) At the junction with the small road, continue straight ahead along a wide path climbing between two meadows. When you reach the top, stay on the path so as not to trespass on the grounds of a beautiful property, La Jacquière. There is a beautiful unobstructed view of the Pilat massif behind you and rolling meadows and woods in front of you (photo 6). At the end of the path, take the road on the right and follow it for about 250m.

(4) When you reach a crossroads with five small roads (a place called La Balme), take the one furthest to the right, called Chemin des Chênes. The small road descends quite steeply, then turns into a wideGR®®422andPR®® path (do not take the tarmac private road on the right when the road turns into a path). The path descends steeply to the dry bed (depending on the season) of the Gerbole stream. Continue along the same path, which climbs quite steeply for 500 metres, then becomes gentler. This path climbs a total of 1.2 km between the bottom and the place called Les Barres, at the end of the path. When you reach Les Barres, take the road on the right for about 100 metres.

(5) After 100m, turn right onto the first wide path (Chemin des Crêts). The path is flat at first, then descends gently into the forest, becoming increasingly steep. During the descent, after a sort of circular allowing vehicles to turn around, at a fork, keep to the main path on the left. 250 metres further on, when the path makes a sharp hairpin bend to the left, continue straight ahead on the path that descends opposite. After passing along a meadow, the path runs alongside the Gerbole stream, overlooking it. When you reach the bottom, go to the edge of the stream to see two pretty little waterfalls (photos 6). At the bottom of the path, cross a tiny stream, then turn right and continue for 2 metres to reach the Pont des Amoureux (Lovers' Bridge) (photos 7 and 8).

(6) At the Pont des Amoureux, turn around and, after about 20 metres, cross a wetland area that runs alongside a small stream (on the left). This is where a fairly steep climb begins, lasting about 600 metres, then becoming a little gentler until the end. At the top, at the end of the path, you will come to a crossroads of severalPR®® paths, called Croix des Chasseurs.

(7) Turn right towards Reventin Vaugris. After 350 metres, continue straight ahead at the crossroads. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Rhône valley, the vineyards of Vienne and the Pilat massif (photo 9). 400 metres further on, you will return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 326 m - ACCA Reventin car park
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 240 m - Small cement bridge over the - Ruisseau de Gerbole (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Isère
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 326 m - Crossroads with the Lentillon path
  4. 3 : km 1.89 - alt. 328 m - Crossing with a small tarmac road
  5. 4 : km 2.68 - alt. 361 m - Crossroads at a place called "La Balme"
  6. 5 : km 4.85 - alt. 377 m - Crossroads with the Chemin des Crêts
  7. 6 : km 6.89 - alt. 253 m - Lovers' Bridge - Ruisseau de Gerbole (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Isère
  8. 7 : km 7.75 - alt. 368 m - PR - Croix des Chasseurs (Reventin-Vaugris)
  9. S/E : km 8.45 - alt. 329 m - ACCA Reventin car park

Notes

There are no drinking water points along the route.
If you bring a pet, there are three places to drink along the route.

Wear sturdy shoes as this hike passes through steep and sometimes slippery areas.
Although short (8.5 km), this hike is quite physically demanding. There is very little flat terrain, with more than two-thirds of the route being uphill or downhill. The hike is therefore not accessible to people with mobility difficulties.

Worth a visit

A "semi-aquatic" walk in the bed of the Gerbole stream is possible and not too difficult between the Pont des Amoureux (6) and the cement bridge (1) further downstream.
A walk in the stream downstream from the small cement bridge is possible, but extremely challenging and even risky in some places. Only venture there with caution and in a group. The Gerbole stream is not maintained, so it is completely wild, which is both its charm and its danger...

 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 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
STAN MIKE
STAN MIKE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting and varied route. A good balance between ascents and descents.

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The cumulative elevation gain is 486m, not 257m.
The distance is correct and the heights of the highest and lowest points roughly correspond to my data.
A pleasant walk with beautiful views.

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fanchonfrançoise
fanchonfrançoise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

do not do in rainy weather

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Valfonie
Valfonie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Despite one or two slightly challenging sections, this is a lovely, unpretentious hike, partly through woodland. Very pleasant on hot days.

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clemsimo78
clemsimo78

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. There are a few tricky sections between points 1 and 2, as numerous trees uprooted by winter storms are blocking the path. Beautiful views of Pilat and the Alps (Barre des Écrins, La Meje, etc.).

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FINAND CORINNE
FINAND CORINNE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike through woods and fields, with a few hills so it's a bit of a workout, offering beautiful views of Mont Pilat and the Alps.

A real change of scenery, just a stone's throw from home.

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louis3838
louis3838

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A nice little route, quite muddy at this time of year, so bring walking sticks. The proposed route is given as 8.5 km with 260 m elevation gain. According to my data, I found it to be 10 km with almost 500 m elevation gain.

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hiker38
hiker38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Early this afternoon, the ACCA car park on Chemin de l'Aubressin was packed with hunters. We parked a kilometre further away at a place called Fabrière.
We found the trail using GPS.
Following the last snowfall, there were many trees and branches across the path, particularly at points 1 and 6 (Pont des Amoureux). How will they be cleared and by whom?
Thank you for this sporty hike.

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patm69
patm69
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little hike, mostly through the woods. I didn't see the waterfalls either, which is hardly surprising given that we did this hike on 3 December 2019 in very wet weather, but that didn't bother us too much. Luckily, I have the app on my phone with IGN maps. We struggled a bit near the lovers' bridge because of lots of fallen trees blocking the path following the heavy snow we had in November... Otherwise, it was an interesting walk.

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tducreux
tducreux

To see the waterfalls, you have to leave the path and head towards the stream. It's true that it's very pretty.

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tducreux
tducreux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike!

In dry weather, the hike is really very pleasant.

In wet weather, I think there are some fairly muddy sections (to be seen).

The starting point is tricky to find. You need to enter Chemin de l'Aubressin into your satnav and follow it regardless of which direction you're coming from. Then, find the isolated house with the green gate and the grass car park opposite (the ACCA sign is not very visible from the house).

Then, at the first descent, there is a path that branches off to the left after about 50 metres and leads to a clearing. Do not take this path. Continue down another 30 metres to take the path on the left, which descends more steeply.

The rest is very simple.

Enjoy your hike ;-)

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agnesgaran
agnesgaran

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

At the beginning, when you take the shaded path that descends into the forest, you come to a fork. You need to take the path on the left.
I didn't really see any waterfalls... I wanted to see the photos, but there are only three photos and none of the waterfalls.

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