From Sablons to the north of Île de la Platière

A beautiful, easy hike on Île de la Platière that is a feast for the eyes.
The inland area is a protected natural zone. Don't forget to read the signs in this area and their explanations.
TO ALL HIKERS (SES) WHO TRAVEL MY HIKES, you can post photos indicating the location on the route.

Details

4338569
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 145 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 136 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the D4 at the bottom of the descent (north side) of the bridge over the Rhône Canal. Coming from Salaise, at the roundabout serving the Carrefour shopping centre, take the Sablons D51 direction at the next roundabout and continue straight ahead to cross the Rhône Canal. Just at the bottom of the descent, turn right and park on the dirt track. Coming from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf on the Ardèche side via the dam, you will arrive directly at the site. If you are coming from Serrières, take the D4 towards Salaise on the left just after crossing the bridge over the Rhône riverbed. Continue and then turn left before crossing the canal.

(S/E) Cross the D4 again and turn left to reach the canal.

(1) Head north, passing under the road, and continue straight ahead.

(2) At this point, continue straight ahead (you can shorten the route by turning left along the small relief canal for about 400 m, then turning left at point 7). Continue along the banks of the Rhône.

(3) Turn left when you reach the large electricity pylon on the side of the greenway and road. Pass a line of stone blocks and return to the Via Rhôna for about 120 m. Cross the road and take the path opposite for about 80 m.

(4) Turn left, walk along the field and continue straight ahead on the path until you reach the barrier preventing vehicle access.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the path, which then turns slightly to the right. Pass in front of the buildings dedicated to the "Méandres des Oves sensitive area" and continue straight ahead.

(6) Walk along the bank of the old Rhône. Continue until you reach a steel bridge that crosses the small relief canal.

(7) Continue along the main path.

(8) Pass in front of the island's pumps and continue to the parking area (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 138 m - Parking near the D4
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 145 m - Northern fork
  3. 2 : km 1.82 - alt. 145 m - Shortcut on the left
  4. 3 : km 5.14 - alt. 145 m - Large electricity pylon
  5. 4 : km 5.42 - alt. 140 m - Fork to the left
  6. 5 : km 5.9 - alt. 140 m - Barrier for vehicles.
  7. 6 : km 7.46 - alt. 138 m - Berges du Vieux - Rhône (River)
  8. 7 : km 8.67 - alt. 138 m - Pedestrian bridge
  9. 8 : km 9.52 - alt. 137 m - Pumps
  10. S/E : km 10.29 - alt. 138 m - Parking near the D4

Notes

No special equipment is required for this route.

Worth a visit

Look, but don't admire, the turquoise blue colour of the water in the Rhône riverbed, especially on a sunny day.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
michelemounier
michelemounier

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

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

we walked along the Rhône on a monotonous path. On top of that, we came across a cycling club and had to turn back, unable to reach the island's shore. Fortunately, we found a parallel path back through the vegetation, which broke up the monotony

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Kélig07
Kélig07

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It would be difficult to find a flatter route... Very easy hike. Perfect for Nordic walking.
The first part, along the canal, is a bit monotonous. What's more, there's the incessant hum of cars (which you can't see).
The second part is very pleasant. You walk through the nature reserve on Île de la Platière. For this part, it's best to avoid bare legs. The vegetation is quite dense and there are charming little ticks.
Personally, I recommend doing this walk in the direction indicated so that you start with the gravel path along the canal.
Just an idea. Start this walk in the middle of the morning, have a snack by the artificial river (great views guaranteed) at the St Pierre de Boeuf base (there's also a snack bar), then walk back in the shade along the Rhône and its floodplain to help your digestion.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route that I extended to the St Pierre leisure centre, which I walked around.
The paths were very muddy after the snowfall.
I started from a large park 100 metres further than planned on the road leading to St Pierre because the planned starting point didn't seem very convenient (narrow at the edge of the path and littered with rubbish).
Thanks to the author.

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Padzi
Padzi

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

A walk with very little of interest.
The first part runs alongside the highly industrial Rhône river, with poorly maintained paths. The trail has disappeared in some places, and at point 3 there is no path, so you have to go to the end and turn back.

In summer, there are lots of mosquitoes (more than 20 buzzing around you) during three-quarters of the walk.

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Klaudius33
Klaudius33

Too bad for you, because it happens, and I too was surprised to see homosexuals on a hike, but that's no reason to advise against hiking. You read the reviews before yours, and they didn't have any unpleasant encounters.

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rando.douces
rando.douces

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, easy hike, but best done in late spring or summer, as there are no birds on the island at this time of year. We will do it again later.

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sablonnais
sablonnais

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, hike completed on 10 March 2021.
Good route, but no ferry to cross. Sand dune on the other bank, but we can go to the bird observatory.
.
: but good route to the Oves meander.
Sablonnais

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serve chantal
serve chantal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Klaudius33
Klaudius33

Thank you very much, I have corrected the location of point 5 and the description at the same time.
I am planning a repeat or an extension of this hike with less canal and more of the old Rhône.

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Please note that the map does not correctly indicate point 5. The barrier mentioned is well before point 5 on the map.
Otherwise, no problem.

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