Espenel walks

A beautiful hike above the village of Espenel, providing access to the three peaks on the Cresta ridges.

A lovely little hike to the summit of Pégarnier, which offers magnificent views of the villages of Espenel, Vercheny and Aurel en Diois.

Montagne de Faraud offers magnificent views of the Trois Becs and all the surrounding mountains. This hike offers an alternative to the classic hike, starting from the hamlet of Saint-Moirans (Chastel-Arnaud) rather than La Chaudière. At the start, you will have the opportunity to visit the 12th-century Church of Saint-Moirans and, during the hike, the charming Chapelle des Sadous chapel. The hike follows good paths or tracks, with a few slightly steep sections.

Variation on the classic Tour de Chabrier hike via the Col des Vallons and the Pas de la Bernarde, with a return via a tiny path overlooking the Drôme and the D93 between Saillans and Vercheny. Splendid views guaranteed over the Drôme Valley, the Massif des Trois-Becs and the Vercors.

Tour of the Montagne de Chabrier starting from Saillans.

During this hike, the land of Clairette wine offers us a surprising encounter with a centuries-old chestnut tree. Standing alone at the foot of the Trois Becs and the Rocher de la Laveuse, a sign indicates its age and characteristics. One cannot help but admire this witness to history, which was most certainly a contemporary of Joan of Arc!

Starting from Vercheny-le-Temple (or Vercheny le Haut), this is a very pretty hike on easy trails and paths, providing access to one of the ridges of the Grand Barry-Gaudichart, as well as the ruined castle of Barry. Exceptional panoramic views of the Vercors, the Baronnies and the Diois. The return journey is partly via the western slope, offering another panorama of the Saoû ridges, and partly via the eastern slope, via the Pas de la Bernarde, which has been cleared between the rocks (no equipment required).

A very beautiful circuit, mostly in the forest and therefore quite shaded, with a magnificent view once you reach the ruins of Barry Castle.

From Saint-Benoît, a hilltop village and strategic point, climb up the paths once used by farmers through the sunny south-facing slopes. They offer breathtaking views of the Roanne Gorges.

Like a ship, the massif stands at the foot of the Vercors and offers a panoramic view of the Drôme and Rhône valleys. In good weather, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and, on the opposite side, the Cévennes. Several contemplative breaks are necessary to discover these landscapes. Please note that the route passes through a quiet zone for wildlife. Certain sections are closed to the public between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide users, see here.

Another, quieter and wilder route across the ridges of Les 3 Becs.It is possible to do this without returning (shorter) by descending to the Col de la Chaudière, in which case two cars are recommended (or hitchhiking). Please note that the route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are closed between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide users, see here.

On a clear day, the Serre Chauvière plateau offers a magnificent 360° panorama of the peaks of Devoluy, Vercors, Baronnies and Diois. A major effort has been made to re-mark and clear the trails on this superb hike, which adds considerable value.

This is a wild hike to discover the little Chapelle des Sadous chapel through the ravines of the Vallon de la Coullance, followed by a crescendo climb to the summit of Montagne de Faraud. From the top of this spur, you can enjoy views of the Trois Becs, the Grand Delmas and the Montagne de Couspeau, the Diois, the Dévoluy, the Vercors and the Grand Veymont.

Walk through the Clairette de Die vineyards. Views of the Trois Becs, the Glandasse, and the Drôme valley.

Alternating between trails and forest tracks, you will discover the small Saint-Christophe Chapel and its tiny cemetery, perched on the heights of Véronne in the Grand Barry Forest, as well as the Roury Forest House, all in a setting of absolute tranquillity.

Visit the Trois Becs, the high points of the Forest of Saou. Correction: the elevation is 750 m instead of the 1071 m described.

A circular walk on Couspeau mountain, with the summit of the Grand Delmas offering views over the surrounding mountains, particularly the 3 Becs.

From the Auberge des Dauphins, there is a magnificent climb up the Grande Combe to reach the Rocher de la Laveuse and the Trois Becs, a legendary hike in the Saou Forest. Please note that the route passes through a quiet area for wild animals. Certain sections are closed between 15 May and 15 July. Specific signage and a diversion from the GR®9 trail have been put in place to assist users. See here for more information.

Discover the south-western ridge of the famous Saou Forest.

A beautiful hike where "diversity" is the watchword! This superb route zigzags between two cliffs, allowing you to climb gradually, via the Grande Combe, amid lush vegetation. The Pas de Siara offers a glimpse of the southern Alpine meadows of the Trois Becs, where sheep from the neighbouring valleys graze during the summer. The descent is gentle through the beech forest, typical of the mountainous region.

A long walk with beautiful views, with no difficulty other than the length, on trails and paths through fairly sparse pine forests.

The Crête de Ramiat is the flagship hike from Sainte-Croix, and rightly so! Admittedly, there is a bit of road at the start, but then there are wide paths or well-marked trails and, above all, splendid panoramic views of the Drôme Valley and the Vercors. The passage along the ridge can be tricky in short sections for those prone to vertigo and requires sure-footedness in places. However, it is possible to avoid this section without missing out on the beauty of the landscape.

Tour of the small villages and hamlet of the Quint valley.

Departure from Vaugelas. Car park in the centre of the village. A pretty little village, fairly well restored, located at the bottom of a valley

Sheltered by the imposing wall of the Saoû syncline, you will pass by the ruins of Pradas and enjoy unobstructed views of the Roubion valley.

Côte Belle is a classic hike from Beaufort-Sur-Gervanne. Here we offer a longer and more complete version, covering almost all of the ridges and extending around Merly, a pointed mountain overlooking Eygluy. As a bonus, you can enjoy views not only of the Massif des Trois-Becs and the Drôme Valley, but also of the Montagne de Glandasse, the But Saint-Genix, Ansage, the Falaises d'Omblèze and the Rochers du Vellan. No difficulty except for the length.