From Saint-Chef to the Château de Chapeau-Cornu

This is an easy, well-known walk that allows you to discover the surroundings and heritage of Saint-Chef. In particular, it takes you past the abbey church.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 216 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 222 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 409 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 238 m

Photos

Description of the walk

This hike is fully marked in yellow. However, the markings are ageing and not always easy to see. Signposts are placed at major junctions.

(S) From the signpost at the car park, take the Sentier des Rossignols, which overlooks the car park. The path is initially tarmac, then gravel. You will come to a road, which you take to the left.

Opposite you, on the right, you can see Marchil Castle. Turn right at the first road, going around a small pond. Before a new housing development, ignore a street that branches off to the right.

(1) When you reach the entrance to the hamlet of Basse Biousse (sign), turn right (south-west) onto a gravel path that climbs towards the hamlet of Haute Biousse. You will come to a small tarmac road. Ignore the branch on the left and continue straight ahead, slightly to the right.

(2) Shortly afterwards, you will see the sign for "La Biousse - 360m". Turn left. Very quickly, turn right onto a dirt track.

(3) After about 1.5 km, you will see the sign for "La Brenaise - 390 m". Turn left (north) towards Château de Chapeau-Cornu. You will quickly pass another sign (Gaillot - 390 m). Continue along the road. It becomes paved and leads to a small road, which you take on the right. You will enter the hamlet of La Rivoire.

(4) You will see the sign for "La Rivoire - 308m". Turn left and drive downhill, passing an old wash house. Cross the road to reach Château-Cornu

(5). The Château de Chapeau Cornu is home to a luxury hotel and restaurant and a family-run rural guest house. You can visit the inner courtyard of the latter. Leave the château by retracing your steps.

Turn onto the first path on the right. Very soon, at a fork, go down to the right, then take a path that also branches off to the right. You will have gone around the castle, descending to reach its north side. Further on, at a crossroads, take the path opposite on the left that descends towards the valley.

(6) Once in the valley, bear left onto a wide stony path heading west. Follow it until you reach the farm known as "du Lac" (an imposing Dauphiné building with a pond in front of it).

(7). Once you have passed the farm, take the first path on the left that heads towards the edge of the woods.

(8) When you reach a small road, you will see a sign for "Arcisse - 265m". Turn right and cross the village. Pass three roads on your right. Stay on your road (which is quite busy, so be careful) which, on leaving the village, turns right and climbs up the hill.

(9) When you reach a hairpin bend, turn right onto Chemin de Freney (signposted). After 50 metres, leave this road and take a gravel road on the left that climbs towards Saint-Chef.

You will come to a small road (signposted "La Fayet - 335m"). Go up to the left. At the top of the hill, you will see a cemetery on your left. Frédéric Dard (San Antonio) is buried there.

(10) His simple, fairly isolated grave is located at the far left as you enter the cemetery. There is a water fountain near the gate. When you leave, follow the road downhill (the second on the left). Then take the first road up on the right towards the Poulet tower. Pass it and turn left onto Rue des Châteaux.

You will arrive at a closed gate. Only tall people will be able to see the castle and describe it to those who are shorter. Retrace your steps slightly and turn right onto the Sentier des Pointières. It descends steeply to the main street of St Chef. Turn left onto this street.

(11) You will pass in front of the Abbey Church and then return to your car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 333 m - Parking on the D54 below the cemeteries
  2. 1 : km 1.16 - alt. 340 m - Signpost "Basse Biousse"
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 383 m - Sign: "La Biousse - 360m"
  4. 3 : km 3.48 - alt. 390 m - Signpost "La Brenaise - 390m"
  5. 4 : km 4.29 - alt. 387 m - Signpost "La Rivoire - 308m"
  6. 5 : km 5.51 - alt. 281 m - Chapeau Cornu Castle
  7. 6 : km 6.46 - alt. 248 m - Once you reach the plain, turn left
  8. 7 : km 7.64 - alt. 239 m - After the Lac farm, turn left
  9. 8 : km 8.4 - alt. 267 m - Signpost "Arcisse - 265m"
  10. 9 : km 9.15 - alt. 299 m - Sign for "Chemin de Freney" at a hairpin bend
  11. 10 : km 10.05 - alt. 349 m - Tomb of Frédéric Dard
  12. 11 : km 10.95 - alt. 308 m - Abbey
  13. S/E : km 11.35 - alt. 333 m - Parking on the D54

Notes

To reach the starting point in Saint-Chef, take Rue de l'Abbatiale heading south/north. After passing the abbey, reach the first roundabout and park in the car park on the left. We are located below the two cemeteries.

The route is marked in yellow (faded). Signs indicate the directions at each major junction.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 53 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Gloug’
Gloug’

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, no difficulty. Lots of fun.

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Lindknud
Lindknud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This short 1 hour 17 minute outing on a beautiful spring day was a wonderful surprise. The start in the woods is a little steep, and in wet weather this first section is probably quite slippery. But the view at the top of the hill is well worth the effort. We really enjoyed the peaceful descent along the Chemin des Trois Châteaux with its panoramic views and a few small, clearly little-used paths through the thick greenery. Perfect for a short, invigorating outing. We had no trouble finding our way with the app and its GPS.

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Cathi
Cathi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We already knew this hike, which is perhaps a little different but very pleasant with lots of points of interest, including the Château de Chapeau Cornu.
An easy hike with a bit of tarmac, including the descent to the Château de Chapeau Cornu, but there wasn't much traffic and it wasn't too much of a nuisance. Thank you for this lovely day out.

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Annie6904
Annie6904

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route with many points of interest

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JAMBO74
JAMBO74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, varied country walk, passing through hamlets with traditional Dauphiné houses. Easy and sunny. The tarmac sections didn't bother us as they weren't long, except for the descent to Chapeau Cornu... There was a wedding that day, so we couldn't access the courtyard. Beautiful views throughout the walk. Visiting Saint Chef by following the historical trail is a real bonus. We'll definitely do it again

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tandemrochri
tandemrochri
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A tour of various sites.

Can be done as a family day trip with a stop for lunch at the Château de Chapeau-Cornu.

In Saint Chef, if you wish to visit the grave of Frédéric Dard, known as "San Antonio" (located at the left corner of the cemetery), who said, "I wonder if death is really worth living for," then continue walking and enjoy your hike.

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Guignol38
Guignol38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hike completed in two stages: St Chef/Arcisse, with a visit to the abbey church for its thousand-year history and its high chapel, unique in Europe, with its 12th-century frescoes.
This was followed by a 5 km circuit between Chapeau-Cornu and Arcisse. I modified the circuit to suit my own preferences, enjoying the peace and quiet of this beautiful countryside.

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larandodespros
larandodespros

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good route, well signposted... The yellow markings have been redone recently and are clearly visible. This makes the route easy to follow.
For the starting car park, please specify that it is the one at the top of the village.
We had a lovely afternoon
Best regards
Alain B

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PascaleSim
PascaleSim

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I loved this route! It's very beautiful, the elevation gain is just right, and it's pleasant to walk along the shaded paths. You come across ponds and two castles: the Château du Chapeau Cornu, with a superb park that you can visit, and the Château Teyssier de Savy, which I was lucky enough to find open that day because it's magnificent! For €5, you can visit the little chapel and the beautifully maintained park. I highly recommend this walk!!!

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NathalieTP
NathalieTP

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I had a wonderful time, a peaceful route with a gradual, even gradient. The route is partly shaded and at this time of year, I enjoyed watching the dragonflies and sunflowers.
The roads are quiet but narrow, so you have to make sure you're on the right side.
It's a route I'll happily do again, as it allows you to discover places not far from home.

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Claude01
Claude01
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I was inspired by this ride to make a longer one (15 km with an option to extend to 17 km).
My notes take into account the fact that I didn't do the entire circuit.

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YBoissel
YBoissel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy and enjoyable, well signposted. Takes 3 hours, including a picnic.

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paschris74
paschris74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for your itineraries. This one was very well signposted: excellent markings and directions. A beautiful autumn walk in the countryside.

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dahuette
dahuette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

It was a great trip, full of interesting things to see, especially in Saint-Chef. There are some beautiful castles in Saint-Chef and it's a lovely little village.
There was a bit of tarmac, but very little traffic on this particular day, so I really enjoyed it.
The signposting and directions provided by Visorando are very reliable.
Thank you

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Pierrotk10d
Pierrotk10d

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk that is not recommended in summer as there is little shade. Personally, I find there is a bit too much tarmac.

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