Beautiful views around Saint-Romain-de-Lerps

A lovely hike offering beautiful views of the Rhône Valley, the Alps and the Ardèche. A 15-minute drive from Valence, this hike leads you around the beautiful surroundings of this small village. Note that Saint-Romain-de-Lerps is one of the classic walks in the area, because there is a beautiful lookout point with a chapel, 2 orientation tables and a picnic area alongside.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 222 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 222 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 643 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 491 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the of Saint-Romain-de-Lerps town centre. The car park is next to the cemetery, leading towards the lookout point.

(S/F) Head south and reach the crossroads. Follow the D287 road right up to 150 m below the village and after the left turn, take the clearly visible and well-marked path to the right of the road. Nice view over the Ardèche 100 m further on. Pass by a path to the left and head onto a tricky (furrowed) downhill section for 100 m and reach the Col de Gazereau (571 m).

(1) Follow the road to the right in the direction of Simondon and Préaux. 150 m after Préaux, take a track to the left and turn left again to follow a horizontal track for 1 km (Serre Long) until it crosses the D287. Cross here, continue straight on and enter the forest (Le Bachat, les Fenières). A steep descent brings us to Les Fenières.

(2) Turn 90° to the left. 100 m further on arrive at a crossroads.

(3) Continue on the little road opposite that slopes to the left and down to the Chazal. Head through this small hamlet. Reach the adjoining horizontal path (gulley), which then passes through meadows.
Further on at a Y-junction, head down to the right: the path is clear and well marked. Cross a small stream (a nice place to stop for a break...) and eventually reach an old bridge over the Ozon.

(4) This is the lowest point of the hike. So we will have to go up. Follow the path into the woods to a small road 20 m before the entrance of the Castle of Besset (private property). Turn left and follow across a horizontal path through fields for 200 m to the coast 529.

(5) Turn left to begin a steep 200 m climb, along the fence. It joins a small road, still uphill. The track continues 200 m to the left and continues straight on the road (581 m marker on the IGN map). 2nd steep climb and the end of the "difficult” parts.

(6) Arrive at Serre du Sabot to 640 m on a broader level road. An unobstructed view of the Alps and the Rhône Valley. Follow this road to the left to reach Saint-Romain-de-Lerps about 2.5 km further on. An easy end to the hike.

After returning to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, turn right on the Chemin du Pic, pass the car park (S/F) and the cemetery to get to Belvédère du Pic (800 m round trip). This area’s beautiful landscape complete with a chapel offers a beautiful view of the Rhône valley, the Alps, the Ardèche... A beautiful tourist spot.

(7) Head back to the car park by the same path (S/F)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 623 m - Car park near the cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 570 m - Col de Gazareau (571m)
  3. 2 : km 3.57 - alt. 575 m - Les Fenières
  4. 3 : km 3.77 - alt. 561 m - Crossroads, 562m
  5. 4 : km 4.88 - alt. 491 m - Bridge over the - Ozon (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Duzon
  6. 5 : km 5.51 - alt. 530 m - Hill 529m
  7. 6 : km 6.73 - alt. 635 m - Serre du Sabot
  8. 7 : km 9.77 - alt. 643 m - Belvedere of - Pic de Saint-Romain de Lerps (649m)
  9. S/E : km 10.29 - alt. 623 m - Car park near the cemetery

Practical information

Hiking shoes are required. Some gullied sections.
The Chazal spring (except in summer...) and a small stream of the Ozon.
A bar and restaurant in Saint-Romain-de-Lerps.

In the nearby area

Belvedere du Pic in Saint-Romain-de-Lerps: Amenities (water, picnic tables, toilets), a chapel, beautiful view.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
DMS26
DMS26

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Completed in 3 hours, including a 15-minute snack. First few hundred metres and last few kilometres on roads. NOT IDEAL with DOGS... I therefore recommend finding an alternative route to avoid the road back to the village. Easy parking (van) and pleasant terrace at the bistro. Ideal on a clear day to enjoy the views.

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CN66
CN66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Superb views.
Very pleasant walk. Perfect in mid-season

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Marcopaulo
Marcopaulo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An easy trail with little change in altitude, well marked out and with some remarkable viewpoints, particularly from the belvedere.

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dvivier
dvivier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A short hike on the morning of 1 January: we were able to escape the mist at the bottom of the valley and admire the view of the snow-capped Vercors and Alps with a view of Mont Blanc. Not much undergrowth, so perfect for this time of year.

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fafarouge
fafarouge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk with beautiful views

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annie thomasset
annie thomasset

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An invigorating and soothing hike.

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tronchenko
tronchenko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's a lovely, varied walk that doesn't tire you out and is very well described. You absolutely must start or finish with a trip to the belvedere, where the 360-degree view is exceptional. Today, despite the cloudy weather, we could see the splendour it must be on a clear day!
In addition to the "viewpoints" mentioned in the name of the walk, which are very real, I would emphasise the very green nature of the surroundings. Gentle meadows and hills.
One small regret is the last few kilometres of the walk on the road, with its huge antennas (radio, TV, internet?) that you can see from a long way off.

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Éric Camille
Éric Camille

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

This hike is pointless because there are too many roads and not enough paths.

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reneerobert
reneerobert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I enjoyed the points of view

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Anne KAISER VILLENET
Anne KAISER VILLENET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk that alternates pleasantly between open stretches with magnificent scenery, and periods under cover to cool off!
I recommend it!

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Marion VR
Marion VR ★

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