La Motte-de-Galaure in Mureils

Walk in the Galaure valley between plains, hills, valleys and villages.

Details

210572
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 125 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 122 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 279 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 186 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the roundabout in the centre of the village of La Motte.

(S/E) Head south-east towards Claveyson on the D161 until you reach the bridge over the Galaure river.

(1). At the foot of the bridge, descend to the right through the vegetation towards the path and follow the river to the right. Walk closely alongside the river, following its successive bends.

(2) When you reach the houses of Azieux, located beyond the fields on the right, leave the riverside path via the first path perpendicular to the right. Join the path running alongside the fields and follow it for 300 metres to the left. Then cross the fields via the path leading to the right and then to the left before passing under the power line and turning right to reach the D51 road.

(3) Carefully walk along the grassy right-hand side of the road and, after about 20 metres, cross it to take the path opposite that leads into the valley. Walk for 800 metres through the valley, sometimes on the path and sometimes on the pebbles of the river bed, following the yellow markings. Follow the path as it climbs sharply to the right and ends at the edge of a field. Continue left uphill along the edge of the forest. You will come to a road.

(4) Follow the road downhill to the right. Ignore two roads on the left and one on the right to reach the village of La Motte. When you reach the main road, follow the street on the left through the village. Cross a main road and you will arrive at the town hall on the left. Follow the uphill street "Montée de l'Église" on the left, leaving the town hall on your right.

(5) Arrive at the Priory of Saint-Agné, which you can enter and visit. Go around the church on the right through the grassy area and you will come to the road.

(6) Follow the road to the right and continue straight ahead on a good path.

(7) Cross a road at a place called Les Cornets and follow the path diagonally across the farm on the right.
Follow the path alongside the TGV line. When you reach a road, follow it to the right, crossing the railway line. Turn left.

(8) Between the buildings, turn right towards the village of Mureils. Cross the village. Cross the D51 road (take care) and head towards the river until you reach a path.

(9) Follow the well-marked path to the right. Pass old sports facilities on your left. Then pass the water treatment plant, also on your left. After the plant, cross a road and follow the path to the left.

(10) The path winds its way under the TGV railway line. Join a road and follow it to the right until you reach some buildings.

(11) Turn left onto the grassy path running alongside the canal. Join the D161 road and follow it to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 203 m - Roundabout in the centre of La Motte
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 200 m - Bridge over the - Galaure (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.24 - alt. 189 m - Leave the riverbanks
  4. 3 : km 3.26 - alt. 193 m - Crossing the D51 road
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 279 m - Poudoux crossroads
  6. 5 : km 6.76 - alt. 228 m - Prieuré Saint-Agné
  7. 6 : km 6.95 - alt. 237 m - Sainte Agnès Priory
  8. 7 : km 8.35 - alt. 227 m - Les Cornets locality
  9. 8 : km 9.4 - alt. 234 m - Turn right towards the village of Mureils
  10. 9 : km 10.21 - alt. 218 m - The Galaure after Mureils
  11. 10 : km 11.8 - alt. 204 m - Passage under the TGV
  12. 11 : km 12.53 - alt. 203 m - On the left, a grassy path runs alongside the canal
  13. S/E : km 13.2 - alt. 203 m - Roundabout in the centre of La Motte

Notes

No notable water source.
Standard hiking equipment.

Worth a visit

The banks of the Galaure River.
The spectacular Grande Combe.
The village of La Motte.
The church and 11th-century Priory of Saint-Agné in La Motte.
Crossing the Lyon/Marseille TGV line towards Mureils and waiting on the bridge for a train to pass beneath you will give you quite a thrill. Waving at the train as it approaches will also earn you a loud toot from the driver!
The village and church of Mureils.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Gustavcoco
Gustavcoco

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in "order" in 3.5 hours. Be careful at the starting point to the right of the bridge, which is not very visible.
A long, varied loop, the first part along the Galaure is superb and includes some sections that are clearly rarely used, judging by the overgrown vegetation, which gives it a slightly jungle-like feel (but just enough!). This leads to some genuine little sandy beaches. The second part zigzags along a dry stream and is also very nice. The third part is the least interesting with quite a lot of tarmac, apart from the remarkable St-Agnès Priory and the church in Mureils. The fourth and final part winds its way back to the Galaure. A nice, easy walk, apart from its length, which you need to manage by adjusting your pace.

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Leletteval
Leletteval

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike designed for a group of retired walkers, which I had to modify after reconnaissance, as it was too long for a half-day in winter.
Starting from the Priory of Sainte Agnès at point 6, we reached point 11, then 1, and walked along the Galaure, which was very pleasant, but at point 2 we took the path up to Azieux and walked along the Grande Combe from above. The Grande Combe has changed completely since 2023 and has become difficult and unpleasant (fallen trees, large pebbles, no path) over a long distance. It would be easy to get lost without the Visorando software.
i also wanted to shorten it, so at point 4 we took the PR towards the Puits de l'Enfer (a route listed in "Les bons plans à pied de la Drome"). Please note that this route should only be attempted in dry weather, as the descent into the Avenel riverbed can be difficult and the meadow on the side is now fenced off.
Nevertheless, this hike is still very enjoyable and varied, and the group was satisfied.
Thank you to Visorandonneur for enabling me to do it.

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atraver
atraver

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the starting point to the right of the bridge is overgrown with vegetation

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Vallat
Vallat

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Without crossing the stream bed, this hike would be fine, but it's very peaceful walking on these stones. It's a shame.

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mimaemleo
mimaemleo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The passages near the Galaure are very pleasant.

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valcamgab
valcamgab

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Discovering La Motte de Galaure is interesting via various trails: along the river, in the valley... The only downside is the road from the valley to the village. Otherwise, it's very easy going. The stop in Mureils is only interesting for its church. We preferred the first part.

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very good from 1 to 5, after which there is nothing of interest. From 6 to 11, apart from the church in Mureils and a few small paths leading down to the river, there is nothing to see. I recommend parking to the left of bridge 1 upstream of the river, as the yellow signposted start is right there and the descent described at the foot of the bridge is dangerous. Then do 1 to 6 and don't take the straight path, but return to the car park along the river. The entire walk takes 3½ hours

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ZUMBARANDO
ZUMBARANDO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

nice. I prefer the first part...

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FAMILLE DA CUNHA
FAMILLE DA CUNHA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very enjoyable experience. This walk can easily be completed in under four hours.
We preferred the first part on the Motte de Galaure, but the whole route is interesting.

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liliamazone
liliamazone

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great walk, but taken in the wrong direction. I had a lot of trouble finding my way at the start, but it's worth doing! Diverse landscapes, and combining hiking and sightseeing is great. A must-do! Easy walk, done in 2½ hours, and I'm not even an experienced walker!

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liliamazone
liliamazone

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great walk, but taken in the wrong direction. I had a lot of trouble finding my way at the start, but it's worth doing! Diverse landscapes, and combining hiking and sightseeing is great. A must-do! Easy walk, done in 2½ hours, and I'm not even an experienced walker!

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cao
cao

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

At point 4, to avoid returning to the village via the tarmac road and climbing back up to the priory, take a short detour via Puits d'Enfer. Walk down the road for about 200 metres. At a right-hand bend, leave the road and continue straight ahead on a grassy path that turns left at the edge of the woods. Before entering the undergrowth, turn right and descend to the bottom of the valley via a small path to reach the Avenon stream, which is often dry. Turn right to reach the ford. Go up the track on the left and return to the cemetery. Continue straight on to the priory, arriving at point 6 without descending to the village.

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cao
cao

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

With the description, the route map and the IGN map, it was great fun, but the path is very visible 20 metres before the bridge over the river.
an easy walk

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Serberd
Serberd

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy walk, but a slightly long stretch of road to get back to La Motte.

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