Loop between Châteaubourg and Signac

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A lovely walk on the heights of Châteaubourg, with stunning views over the Rhône Valley and the hillsides of Saint-Joseph. Unfortunately, the end of the walk is on tarmac (very little traffic).

Details

n°407307
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 406 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 403 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 510 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 124 m
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Photos

Chateaubourg and the snow-covered Vercors
View of Châteaubourg, the vineyards and the Rhône

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the car park north of the village (on the left after the town sign) of Châteaubourg.

From the car park, head back towards the village, crossing the bridge over the Durtail stream
(1) Immediately afterwards, turn right onto the path climbing between the trees, following the stream along its right bank.

(2) After about 250 m, take a small bridge on the right which crosses the Durtail stream again. The track then climbs steeply through the vineyards. The climb is quite steep; stay on the main path, do not cross the stream again, and take your time. There are two or three very interesting viewpoints on the way up; make the most of them. At the top of the climb, pass by a hedge of cypress trees and reach a small tarmac road; this is the hamlet of Cholet.

(3) Take this road on your left and pass through the hamlet of Gourgonie.
(4) After 100m, take the path on the left and pass beneath the hamlet of Les Rases. The path becomes a track; be sure to close the gates properly, as there may be livestock depending on the season. Cross the hamlet of Combaud and continue straight on to the Ruisseau de Durtail.
(5) Cross the stream. The path climbs steeply to the hamlet of Signac. Follow the tarmac road to Séverin.
(6) At Severin, take the second road on the left, then a path leading to the hamlet of Marsanne (marked with white and yellow signs). At the hamlet of Marsanne, take the track on the right for about 250 to 300 m.

(7) Then turn onto the narrow path on your left until you reach the Rochette-Desagnes crossroads (Altitude 409).
(8) Head down the road to the right and turn left at the first junction (Altitude 381), then left again at the second junction (Altitude 345). Pass beneath the Machons farm and continue along the road until you reach a hairpin bend to the right.

(9) 50 m further on, take a narrow path on the left that descends through the vineyards; keep to the paths on the left to reach the starting track.

Take it to the right towards the finish (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 124 m - Car park to the north of the village. Near the - Rhône (River)
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 125 m - On the right, amongst the trees
  3. 2 : km 0.31 - alt. 132 m - Bridge over the stream
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 341 m - Turn left onto the road
  5. 4 : km 2.22 - alt. 374 m - Path to the left
  6. 5 : km 3.3 - alt. 378 m - Durtail (ruisseau) - Affluent du ruisseau de la Verne
  7. 6 : km 4.83 - alt. 510 m - Second road on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.82 - alt. 432 m - Turn left onto the winding path
  9. 8 : km 7.07 - alt. 406 m - On the right on the road
  10. 9 : km 9.44 - alt. 208 m - To the left, a winding path
  11. S/E : km 10.14 - alt. 124 m - Car park north of the village - Verne (ruisseau) - Affluent du Rhône

Worth a visit

Between points 3 and 4, about 100 metres after the hamlet of Cholet, you will see the ruins of Durtail Castle on your left.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 50 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
ninilu
ninilu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The dog was still there, but so was its owner, who shouted at us to follow the route indicated. He talked to us at length. The route is varied and the road sections are not too difficult, even on the descent overlooking the village.

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peche
peche

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike worth doing, but no signposts on a long route, so we had to check the map frequently.

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krisV
krisV

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Same comment as the previous person: no problem with the dog and a nice chat with its owner, the end of the route isn't difficult and the view of Châteaubourg is superb.
An easy and very pleasant walk

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nicolas26100
nicolas26100

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great little hike with varied landscapes. Vineyards, woods, meadows. The road section at the end isn't really a problem for me, as the view is beautiful.
The barking dog is still there. He's scary but not vicious, in my opinion. The owner called him back and we chatted for a while. He's nice.

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caresse
caresse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I have done this hike several times and always enjoyed it just as much.

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Vonvon
Vonvon

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting hike with beautiful views, the only downside being too much road at the end of the route (1.5 km).

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ma.ge.26.38
ma.ge.26.38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with magnificent views. Easy, but the description is not very clear; easy to follow, however, on the map

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bgbc0
bgbc0

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I confirm that there is a lot of tar at the end.

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Loloprost
Loloprost

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied landscapes over 10 km: vineyards, fields, woods, really nice... just a small section of road that wasn't great, which was a shame.

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fafarouge
fafarouge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One thing to note: we had a hard time finding the place, but the car park is on the left after the Chateaubourg exit, if you're coming from the south!

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chrystenmarie
chrystenmarie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, although the start of this hike is very steep.
Beautiful views.

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice route. The return route is paved, but the view is beautiful and there is very little traffic.
Between 4 and 5, the path is overgrown with quite a few thorny plants.
Combaud's dog barks a lot, but the owner is friendly and we had a nice chat.

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Philou 26
Philou 26

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, unfortunately marred by terrible weather. Drizzle, fog and a chilly wind. Watch out for the dog in the hamlet of Combaud! It's very aggressive, but luckily for me, the owner called it back. The hike ends on the road, which is the only downside in my opinion.

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Olivier2607
Olivier2607

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I was pleasantly surprised by this tour. At this time of year, there are lots of flowers, including beautiful orchids. There are beautiful views of the terraced vineyards.

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maryse c
maryse c

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful views of the Vercors... varied trails in the first part.
The 2 km road is not very busy.

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