Circular trail to the priory and waterfalls from Saint-Georges-de-Commiers

In Saint-Georges-de-Commiers, park in the sports ground car park next to the town hall.

(S/E) From the car park, head due south and walk past the town hall and then the school. At the crossroads, turn left onto Montée de Saint-Georges, then left again onto Traverse des Jardins. This leads onto the D529 (or Rue de la Tour).

(1) After admiring the church and the tower, carefully follow this road to the left, slightly downhill, then take Avenue de la Résistance to the right before immediately turning onto Montée des Guiberts. You will reach a junction with Chemin de Verne.

(2) Continue uphill to the left between two walls and reach the signpost for “Plateau des Biautes”. Stay on the tarmac road as it climbs and reach the signpost for “Champ du Carrel”. Continue through the forest heading north-east, then enter the Ravin de Ravinson and reach a junction.

(3) Turn left, heading north, onto a virtually level path and reach a junction with the path leading to the Roche Courbière viewpoint.

(4) Walk a few dozen metres to the left towards the stunning views from the Roche Courbière viewpoint

(5). Retrace your steps.

(4) Continue along the path in the same direction to reach the Ruins of the Priory of Saint-Michel de Connexe (new viewpoint).

(6) Retrace your steps for a few dozen metres to the signpost and head uphill steadily for just over 1 km, until you reach a track at the ‘Les Hauts des Tillerets’ signpost. Continue straight ahead along this track heading south for 400 m until you reach a junction marked by the ‘Les Hauts des Blaches’ signpost.

(7) Leave the track and turn right, heading downhill, onto a path through the woods, at times bordered by very old, collapsed stone walls. You will reach a junction marked by the signpost “La Crête des Blaches”. Turn left towards Les Combes and reach the hamlet of Les Rivoires (signpost).

(8) Continue to the right towards Les Combes and come out onto a road, which you follow to the right for 200 m.

(9) Leave the road on the left, following a path below along a stream. Stop descending to cross a rudimentary footbridge on the left and, after a few dozen metres, explore the Grotte des Trois Ours

(10). Retrace your steps and continue down to the left to rejoin the road. Follow it to the left for a few dozen metres and leave it again to the left to take a path that descends alongside the stream and rejoins the road.

(11) Follow it to the left until you reach the junction with Chemin des Blaches, in the hamlet of Les Chauvers. Head downhill straight ahead to the right onto Montée du Moulin. After almost 200 m, turn right towards the waterfalls. You’ll reach the signpost for “Les Sagnettes” just after crossing the stream.

(12) Turn left onto the sometimes steep path, which offers views of the Cascades des Chaussières. Cross another rudimentary footbridge and climb up the opposite side to the Montée du Moulin, which you follow to the right downhill to the main road.

(1) Cross the road with care and return to the car park via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

Yellow markings on^PR® trails, numerous signposts

Roche Courbière viewpoint: a rocky outcrop topped with a cross, offering a stunning 180° view over the lower Drac valley, the Grenoble conurbation, the Vercors from Grand Veymont to Moucherotte, and the Chartreuse.

Ruins of Saint-Michel de Connexe: a Benedictine priory, a dependency of the Abbey of Saint-Chaffre en Velay, founded in the 11th century.

Grotte des Trois Ours, Chaussières waterfalls.

Pierre du Soleil viewpoint: a viewpoint overlooking the Drac valley featuring a map, accessible via a pleasant family walk starting from Saint-Georges de Commiers.