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Saint-Appolinard is located on the D20 between Roybon and Chatte. The walking route starts at the church in Saint Appolinard
(S/E). Go down the D20 towards the village exit in the direction of Chatte (south).
At the end of the wide bend, turn right towards the cemetery, which you will walk alongside on its western side (sign: Direction "La Font du Loup"). Continue along this path, which will take you into a walnut grove.
In the middle of the walnut trees, you will see a barn on your left and a small post (50 cm high) marked with the number 680 on your right.
(1) At this point, turn right between the walnut trees. A path gradually becomes clearer and descends into the woods. It leads you to "Font du Loup".
At Font du Loup, take the road on the right. At the end of the straight road, turn left onto a path that climbs quite steeply into the forest (this saves you from walking on tarmac and cuts out two bends).
When you come back onto the road, there are two paths in front of you. Take the one that climbs to the left. You will come to a small road, which you should take to the right. Immediately at the crossroads, turn right again.
At the end of a short straight stretch, you will see a house on your left.
(2) Go around it and take a path on the left (be careful, it is not easy to find as it is hidden by a hedge). First go down to the edge of the woods, then through the woods to reach a small road that you should take on the left (south). You will come to a crossroads (sign for Les Gavaniottes: on the left, "Chapelle St Pierre").
(3) Turn left in this direction and walk along a wide stone path. When you reach a crossroads (letterboxes "N°245A/B"), turn right. Further on, you will find a path on the right that leads to the Chapelle Saint-Pierre.
(4) Return trip. Turn right at a 90° angle, pass a house and take the small path that branches off to the right at the "private road" sign, which only applies to the gravel driveway.
After admiring the little chapel and enjoying the view, particularly of the Vercors, return to the original path.
(4) Continue to the right. At a bend to the left, leave the path by turning right and then very quickly, at a fork, go left. Walk north and you will come to a walnut grove, which you cross.
(5) When you reach a small road, turn right, walk along a small wood on your right and you will come to a fork where you take the left branch. You will come to a junction: take the path slightly to the left, which descends sharply. You will reach some houses and then the main difficulty of the route, the D20 road!
(6) Turn right and continue for about 800 metres. Be careful! Traffic moves fast here! Follow the rules for walking on the road (in small groups: on the left, in single file! In larger groups, stay on the left with a scout and a rear guard).
(7) After 800 metres, pass a bus stop and a house, then take a gravel path on the left.
You are now exactly halfway there! Leave a path on your right and walk uphill alongside a stream for a while. A steep hill leads you to a place called "Combarier" with a beautiful clearing. A side path allows you to avoid the house on the left.
(8) Continue along the small road that branches off to the right at one point. You will reach a place called "Les Terrifaux" (sign for Les Terrifaux: direction "Chevrières"). Follow this sign and turn left. Continue downhill until you reach the D20a.
(9) Before you get there, as soon as you cross the stream, take the grassy path on the left (it's more pleasant and safer than the tarmac of the main road). It will take you to the junction with Route de Chevrières.
Cross the main road and, at the fork, turn right and walk along the settling basin with reed filters. Continue straight ahead to enter the village of Chevrières.
(10) In the village, when you reach a T-junction, turn right. You will see the church. At the church, turn left. Be careful, the slope is steep!
At the end of the straight road, leave the road and take the grassy path opposite, which runs alongside a house. You will come to a road (picnic tables on the left). Take the small road on the right and then turn quickly left to reach the chapel and the orientation table.
(11) Normally, if this hasn't already happened, you will be rewarded for your efforts. After taking in all the peaks of Chartreuse and Vercors detailed on the orientation table, you can descend and rejoin the small road.
Pass the picnic tables, staying on the road. At the next crossroads, turn left (signposted "Montée du chemin Rostaing", which you are descending...) then turn quickly onto a grassy path on the right (above a walnut grove).
(12) Continue straight ahead until you reach the D20a.
(13) Cross the road. Continue along a small road that leads back to Saint-Appolinard and the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Difficult 
