Nero's Cave in Soyons

A family walk that takes you along the peaceful but wild banks of the Rhône to the Malpas plateau overlooking the town of Soyons.

Details

450885
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 722 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 715 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 807 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 322 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Soyons (07130)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.883613° / E 4.850348°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3036OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Grottes car park opposite Soyons cemetery.

Yellow-and-white signposting

(Out and back) From the car park, opposite the cemetery, walk up the small road on the right until you reach the junction. Turn right onto Chemin du Vivier (signposted ‘Musée archéologique’) and head towards the D86. Cross the road (take care – it’s a very busy road), then head for a small underpass opposite which, after a few steps, allows you to cross the railway line.

Immediately afterwards, cross the canal and turn right to follow its left bank. At the junction with a tarmac road, turn right for a few metres, then let that road branch off to the right whilst you continue straight ahead along a dirt track to reach the mouth of a branch of the Rhône (Lône de l’Ove).

(1) The path turns right, following this waterway until it reaches a junction with a bridge.

No signposts

Continue along the track straight ahead (slightly to the right at the start), leaving the bridge on your left and a path on your right. Carry on along the Lône until it ends on a compacted track. After a short climb, the track curves to the right, joining another track coming from the left. 100 metres further on, at a stretch of large boulders, continue along the track on the right. Shortly afterwards, go over a very small hillock and join another track.

(2) Turn sharply to the right to quickly reach a new junction (signposted ‘Via Rhôna’).

Yellow-white markings

Carry on to the left along a small tarmac road. Cross the railway line (take care at the level crossing!) and then immediately take a small road running parallel to it. Carry on straight ahead and, 150 metres further on, cross the D86 (be careful here too – it’s a very busy road!). Keep going in the same direction along the small road until you come to a marker near a beautiful stone house.

(3) First turn right then left to pass between two houses and find a path that climbs into the forest. At the Jonchère signpost, continue straight on towards Toulaud. Shortly afterwards, a path is marked on the left on the IGN map, but it is no longer visible on the ground. A little further on, join the Chemin de Turlet.

(4) Turn right and follow the path, which runs flat for a while before climbing quite steeply to reach a small tarmac road (Chemin de Jonchère). Follow the road to the left for 100 metres, then at the ‘Chemin de Jonchère’ signpost, leave the tarmac and turn right towards Les Grottes on the Chemin de Pierrette. Ignore a grassy path on the right just after the signpost, which is not shown on the map anyway.

(5) After 100 metres on the Chemin de Pierrette, at the signpost of the same name, leave the path and head up to the right towards Soyons. 50 metres further up, at the junction, turn left towards La Tour Penchée. The path runs along the hillside and offers unobstructed views of the upper districts of Soyons. Join a path coming from the right, then continue up a short, steep slope leading to the Plateau du Serre de Guercy.

At the marker, continue straight ahead towards Les Grottes along a narrow, steep path. 30 metres further down, turn left towards La Tour Penchée, ignoring the path on the right leading to the caves (that’s for later). After a short but steep descent, reach the bottom of the valley and the ‘Bas de la Tour’ signpost. First turn right then left to follow the path which climbs steeply; do not follow the flat path branching off to the left. Reach the Leaning Tower and enjoy its stunning views over the Rhône Valley and the Vercors.

(6) Turn back and head down again to the ‘Le Bas de la Tour’ signpost. Continue left along the well-maintained path. At the next junction, turn right onto the path – also well-maintained and dotted with botanical information boards. It continues more or less along a balcony-like path and leads to the Grottes de Néron.

(7) Turn back to the previous junction, then turn right to head downhill, making use of the facilities. Join the Chemin du Vivier and, after a few metres, reach the car park (start/end).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 358 ft - Les Grottes car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.93 - alt. 322 ft - Lône de l’Ove, turn right
  3. 2 : mi 1.62 - alt. 344 ft - Take a sharp right-hand bend
  4. 3 : mi 2.21 - alt. 394 ft - First turn left then right, and walk between the two houses
  5. 4 : mi 2.78 - alt. 676 ft - On the right: Chemin de Turlet
  6. 5 : mi 3.12 - alt. 676 ft - Look out for the ‘Chemin de Pierrette’ sign, then turn right
  7. 6 : mi 3.6 - alt. 719 ft - The Leaning Tower
  8. 7 : mi 3.93 - alt. 738 ft - Nero’s Cave
  9. S/E : mi 4.27 - alt. 358 ft - Les Grottes car park

Notes

Good walking shoes are recommended.

Worth a visit

Nero’s Cave
Open from 1 April to 31 October: Wednesday to Sunday – 2 pm to 6 pm
July–August: every day – 10.00 am to 7.00 pm

The Leaning Tower of Soyons

Soyons Archaeological Museum
Open from 1 April to 30 June 2017 from 2 pm to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
From 1 July to 31 August 2017, every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.
From 1 September to 29 October 2017, from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 27787086

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely summer walk through the foliage. It was mostly quite flat, with a nice climb up to the tower, where we met two young people who gave us an insight into the landscape, particularly the mountain.

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morilles
morilles

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Beautiful hike.
To avoid the steep descent between points 5 and 6, at point 5 you can continue along the Pierrette path, which becomes the Chemin de la Tour, to reach Soyons, but you won't see the caves.

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cziah
cziah

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely discovery.
I was afraid of being too much in the sun (it's August and it's hot!), but in the end there were only a few sunny spots: crossing the plain and a bit of the summit.
The walk starts off flat and shaded along the water's edge. Be careful at the intersections; I took a wrong turn at the very beginning and ended up on the wrong side of the canal.
You then cross the plain and climb up to a lovely viewpoint. The climb is also shaded.
As many people say, there is a fairly steep descent for about 300 metres. I took it slowly...
You end up at the usual entrance to the caves (stairs built for the public).
I did the whole thing in 1 hour and 35 minutes, but I didn't go to see the caves (which you have to pay to enter) or the tower, which I already knew.

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roisoleil412
roisoleil412

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Really reliable according to all the information provided by Visorando.
Thank you

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gamagi
gamagi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with views of the Rhône valley if the weather is clear. Great for families, but be prepared for a steep descent just before you reach the crossroads before climbing up to the tower. Thanks to the author of this walk.

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PoireChoco
PoireChoco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with flat terrain and a few hills. Be careful at the end, as there is a fairly steep downhill slope that can be a little slippery.

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Nanar2607
Nanar2607

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very well

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SPACEGUS
SPACEGUS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great route for families, with no problems. Varied scenery between gorges and mountains.
We decided to visit the caves before returning to the tower and opted to return to the car park via the village of Soyons, which added an extra kilometre but was less steep and very pleasant.
There's also the option of a coffee or beer at the newly opened microbrewery when you arrive.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that I extended to St Georges-Les-Bains and then Charmes.
The caves are closed at this time of year, but the views of the valley from the site are very beautiful.
That leaning tower in Soyons is strange!
Thanks to the author.

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Ennelos
Ennelos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk, and very good description... I didn't get lost! Thanks to the author.

However, I have one small comment about this part:
"At the signpost, continue straight ahead towards the caves on a small steep path. 30 metres further down, turn left towards the Leaning Tower, leaving the path that leads to the caves on your right (this will be for later). After a short but steep descent, reach the bottom of the valley and the signpost for Bas de la Tour."
The "short but steep descent" wasn't that short, and it was really very steep. Even with good shoes, I had a hard time, and being pregnant, I wasn't very confident. Perhaps an alternative route should be considered, such as turning right towards the caves (I didn't try it, but it looked more accessible). And finish with the return trip to the Leaning Tower.

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sparnacienne
sparnacienne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, very pleasant route along the water's edge, but the climb up to the cave after rainy days is no fun because it's muddy, slushy and slippery. Worth doing again when it's dry. What a shame!

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Toon26
Toon26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful walk with numerous possibilities for extending the route. Beautiful view from the leaning tower. *Be careful at the start, as the steps leading under the railway line are very steep

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Seboum62
Seboum62

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, pleasant walk, starting gently along the water's edge. You arrive at the rear of the Leaning Tower.
The cave is the destination before returning to the car park.

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leodis
leodis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy walk with very clear directions. The descent to Bas de la Tour is quite steep, so make sure you wear good shoes. There are some stunning panoramic views on the way up to the tower.

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LEVIAYAN
LEVIAYAN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike lasting around two hours, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. No particular difficulties.
Best regards

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