The Côte du Pape

Date of walk : Dec 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The GPS route is different from the trail to follow, and there is a large construction site on the plateau that has cleared part of the forest and left the path very muddy

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Date of walk : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

For your information:
1 - It is no longer possible to complete the loop because between points 2 and 3, an electric fence prevents you from continuing on the trail. A private property sign (no trespassing) is posted at points 2 and 3. A herd of cattle grazes in this area.
I have completed this route in both directions.
2 - Trees are blocking the path between points 1 and 2, making it very difficult to pass.

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Date of walk : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice little hike with a beautiful view of the Vercors and the valley

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Date of walk : Jan 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

a lovely little hike, easy but be careful at the start: after parking the car, walk along the vineyards, turn left, go through the wooden gates, walk a few metres straight ahead and don't miss the small path on the right

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Date of walk : Jun 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

About halfway along, the description does not seem to match the actual terrain: after following the river, the return to the left onto the plateau is not at all obvious. In fact, the hikers we met there had the same opinion...

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Today there were 15 cars parked (a record! But I only saw six groups of people): ten after the bridge and five before, with space to park four times as many vehicles. I don't see the point in parking in Glun...
As for turning right quickly, this is clearly stated in the description.
Perhaps we could just add "10 metres after the wooden barrier, turn right despite the cross sign"
However, the cherry trees mentioned at the very beginning of the walk have (unfortunately!) been replaced by vines.
Only a few remain on the right after the first left turn on the path, when you leave the river and head towards the coast.

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Date of walk : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk!
Easy to get to, with ample parking after or even before the bridge (except during apricot season).
an ideal route on windy days, as it is very sheltered in the first part of the Rioudard valley.
(It can even be a little stuffy in summer.)
Also ideal on winter afternoons, as the valley is almost perfectly aligned east to west and straight, ensuring the longest sunshine of all the surrounding valleys.
The chestnut grove is particularly bucolic, even moving.
There are lots of flowers in mid-May, with acacias, broom and valerian filling the air with their scent!
There is indeed a fork after the chestnut grove (probably new, I don't remember noticing it before today) just before the last section of switchbacks that leads to a place called Les Pommeries. You therefore need to turn left (south-east) where the road climbs, rather than continuing straight ahead on the flat towards the west. The latter path probably continues to the stream, where it joins the path that climbs (steeply!) towards the Croix de Beyrieux (not marked on IGN maps).
Personally, I find the return section rather uninteresting, with a steep and unpleasant descent (even a little dangerous) that is more exposed to the wind and the noise of Route 86 below.
After enjoying the view, it is best to return to the starting point.
For those who don't like going back the same way (without a dog), you can easily cut across from the viewpoint to Les Clots (with two easily climbable fences and a few cows) by following the IGN trail, which is now partially disappeared.
For those with limited mobility (even slightly!), stiff knees or fragile thighs, it may be better to stop the climb before the final switchbacks, which are less passable, and instead continue straight ahead at the fork towards the west towards the stream (not tested, to be checked) before turning back.
NB: The IGN trail is very approximate (but the description is still valid!): as you can see from the satellite photos, the winding section is generally oriented north-west/south-east and not north-east/south-west!

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Date of walk : Dec 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Parking is easier on Rue du Quai in Glun. Head back towards the main road via Rue du Quai and Rue de la Fauque. Turn right onto Route de la Roche and then left onto a street that leads into orchards. At the end of this street, turn right and continue for 100 metres, passing under a pedestrian bridge. Cross the main road towards Tournon with caution and continue for 200 metres until you see a white path on your left. Follow this path until you reach the entrance to the marked trail, where there is a gate. Be careful here: go 30 metres and turn right where there is a cross. Go up alongside the river, otherwise you will be going in the wrong direction and the directions will no longer be correct. When you reach the meadow, pass the ruins (you can stop to admire the view on the left) and continue for 100 metres until you reach the carriage road after passing a low, unpowered wire fence. After that, it's just as described. Thank you for this short hike with magnificent views.

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Date of walk : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Beautiful view from the top. However, the climb and descent are quite challenging. It is nevertheless a short half-day hike that is not always easy to find.
Be careful not to miss a left turn on the way up, which is not indicated in the directions.

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Date of walk : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful short hike. The trail is difficult to find on the way back. Don't hesitate to climb over a fence to find your way back. Very beautiful view. Parish specific to Brittany

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Date of walk : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We recommend having a picnic at the top where the view is superb

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Date of walk : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with stunning scenery, especially at the summit

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Date of walk : Mar 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Yesterday's walk,
An important clarification.
You have to take the first path that goes up to the right at the fork after the barrier, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A YELLOW AND WHITE X, otherwise you'll do the walk backwards (like we did) and the landmarks will be wrong and the first climb will be tough! I think we did the 200m elevation gain in one go! ;-)

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Date of walk : Dec 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views, but following the fall of numerous trees, the route has been altered, adding an extra kilometre, I think. Take the path marked with a cross at the start, after the wooden barrier.
The hike is still doable, just allow a little extra time
I recommend it.

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Date of walk : Oct 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No difficulties, beautiful spots, a lovely view of the Rhône valley, dry stone walls all along the walk, and of course the noise of the A86 motorway at the start and end of the hike.

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