The Saint-Sabin Chapel from the cross

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A very short, easy stroll (apart from the rocky path).

At the chapel, you can enjoy an exceptional view of:
- the Rhône Valley,
- the Pre-Alps (Chartreuse & Vercors),
- the Alps (on a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc...)
... and when you turn around, you'll see the peaks of Pilat: Les 3 Dents, Crêt de l'Oeillon, etc.

Details

n°374399
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 69 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 69 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,126 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,055 m
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Photos

Saint Sabin
Saint Sabin
Véranne
Veranne

Description of the walk

Just before reaching Croix-de-Saint-Sabin, park in the natural car park. There are several information signs.

(S/E) Take the wide forest track heading south (at a 45° angle to the road). A sign will point you in the direction of "Chapelle-de-Saint-Sabin".
Follow it until you find another sign directing you to take a path on the left.

(1) Follow this very rocky path uphill (it will soon level out).
If you are accompanied by children, be careful as there is a fairly steep slope on the right, partly hidden by vegetation.
Follow the path along the ridge until you reach the chapel.
If the weather is clear, you will enjoy a splendid panorama.

(2) To return, take the path behind the chapel near an information sign (heading west). It descends quickly and is therefore quite steep.

(3) When you reach a crossroads at the edge of the forest, turn left (the path on the right leads to one of the two inns) and you will find yourself at Croix-de-Saint-Sabin (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,057 m - Place known as "Croix-de-Saint-Sabin"
  2. 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 1,075 m - Stony path
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 1,120 m - Saint-Sabin Chapel, viewpoint.
  4. 3 : km 2.02 - alt. 1,057 m - At the edge of the forest, turn left.
  5. S/E : km 2.17 - alt. 1,057 m - Place known as "Croix-de-Saint-Sabin"

Notes

Access: The hardest part is getting to Saint-Sabin!

Leave the Rhône Valley at Serrières and head west towards Pilat until you reach Saint-Julien Molin-Molette, via Félines.

At Saint-Julien Molin-Molette, take the D8, pass Colombier. Take the D34 and follow the signs to Saint-Sabin (it's a dead end).

In Saint-Sabin, there are two country inns: Les Verts Ânes and the Auberge de Saint-Sabin.

Worth a visit

The 300° view from the Chapel of Saint-Sabin.
The charming medieval village of Malleval.
The forests of Pilat Regional Nature Park.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Lowens
Lowens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went there as a family.
A very pleasant hike with beautiful views.

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278v2
278v2

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is circular. The return journey, starting from the chapel, is not well signposted.
Fortunately, the owner of the inn had briefed us.
A hike worth doing.

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China
China

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this super interesting route, very well explained. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc and the Oisans massif... And easy to do, even with children! Rocky, yes, but nothing more than that if you're used to hiking.

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lolopouic
lolopouic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike

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dbigeon
dbigeon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The path up to the chapel is very rocky; the second part from the chapel downhill is longer but easier.

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mustangdolpo
mustangdolpo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An interesting walk. A bit steep and very rocky, but with superb views of the Rhône valley and the Alps.

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pierre2505
pierre2505

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little hike, well shaded by the woods and therefore perfect for a hot day like the one we had. Accessible to everyone.

Beautiful view from the chapel over the Rhone Valley.

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cartouche
cartouche

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A short walk took us 45 minutes, with lovely views but it was misty. It's a shame the chapel is closed.

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pilastre
pilastre
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike that is even more magnificent with the snow at this time of year. Very beautiful landscapes.
You need a GPS to find the starting point as I couldn't find any signposts in the village of Molin Molette.

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Clairette03
Clairette03

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with children aged 4½ and 2½, with magnificent views. It took us 1½ hours, but with older children, 45 minutes seems more than enough.

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Walking Crêt de l'Œillon from Saint-Sabin

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This route, consisting of three circular loops, is one of the most beautiful hikes in Pilat. You will discover the Chapelle Saint-Sabin, a viewpoint over the Rhône valley, the Pic des Trois Dents and the Crêt de l'Œillon, dominated by its television transmitter.

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The Mont Pilat massif is very popular and criss-crossed by numerous trails. This circular loop combines several of them to pass by the site of the Chapelle St Sabin, then climb up to cross the Trois Dents on a fun route, before reaching the ridge and following it through the various crests stretching from the Œillon to the Perdrix. The return journey is via a descent that favours paths through the woods.

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This hike allows you to discover the Trois Dents rocks, which give this area of Pilat an alpine character and offer magnificent views. As an option, the Saint-Sabin chapel offers a beautiful view of the Véranne area. The Pilat Natural Park's signposts and directional signs will be a great help in following the route.

Walking The Saint-Sabin chapel from Saint-Appolinard

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Another original way to get to this beautiful viewpoint that is the Saint-Sabin chapel on a small bluff in the heart of the Pilat Park, pouring into the Rhône Valley, with some of the best views of the Alps and pre-Alps (especially across the south). At the chapel, many signs and indications tell the story of the place and its flora.

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