La Pierre Percée from Pierre-Châtel

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Follow the legend of the Pierre Percée (Pierced Rock) on this short circuit that will take you to one of the seven wonders of the Dauphiné.

Details

n°99501
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 286 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,236 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 942 m
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Photos

The Pierced Rock
Sunset over the Vercors
Tabor and Piquet de Nantes
la Matheysine

Description of the walk

After reaching the small village of Pierre-Châtel by car, park next to the church and cemetery (car park).

(S/E) The path is well signposted with hiking signs and markings. It starts between the church and the cemetery and climbs uphill until it reaches a fork at the Ancienne Charbonnière de Picardon.

(1) Turn left, the slope becomes a little steeper and the path climbs into the forest, winding its way through the Chante-Merle woods. Gradually gain altitude to reach the crest of this hill. Continue to the left to reach the Pierre Percée.

(2) Descend opposite on the wide path, join a winding bend and a Y-shaped crossroads.

(3) Keep left downhill, following a wide bend to the right to reach the entrance to Putteville.

(4) Turn left, cross Putteville, then turn right onto Rue de la Chapelle. Continue along the path that follows it. You will reach a new crossroads at Côtes du Collet.

(5) Keep left, arrive in Pierre-Châtel, continue along Rue Saint-Pierre de Feyteny, then turn left onto Rue Joseph Villard to return to the cemetery car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 962 m - Parking at the Pierre-Châtel cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 1,016 m - Old charcoal kiln
  3. 2 : km 2.11 - alt. 1,219 m - Pierre percée
  4. 3 : km 2.65 - alt. 1,125 m - Y-junction
  5. 4 : km 3.64 - alt. 1,036 m - Putteville
  6. 5 : km 4.83 - alt. 974 m - Côtes du Collet
  7. S/E : km 5.55 - alt. 961 m - Parking at the Pierre-Châte cemetery

Notes

This hike is short, but good footwear is still required.

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (2) Along the trail, signs tell the legend of the Pierre Percée (Pierced Rock) and how this curiosity was formed. Children will enjoy these signs explaining the legend.
Before (2), the ridge separates the lakes of Laffrey and the valley of Notre-Dame-de-Vaulx and Saint-Jean-de-Vaulx.
During the summer, you can cool off in one of the Laffrey lakes, but be careful, as the water can be cold given the altitude.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 51 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
geai47
geai47
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

If the church and cemetery car park is full, as was the case on that day (funeral), you can use a small car park with six spaces on the street that extends the access road to the church.

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User 3066842

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, remarkable views, and a welcome bench for a snack break at the entrance to Putteville.

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mlevisse
mlevisse
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easily accessible walk to visit this curiosity; the route can be quite sunny at midday, so bring water in case of high temperatures, as was the case on the day we did it.
The end of the route along the roads is a little less interesting; you can also return via the same route you took to get there without missing anything.
The information boards explaining the legend have been removed.

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User 6004730

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Starting from the church in Pierre Chatel, we had to turn around a bit to find the trailhead, which is 200 metres higher up (near the cemetery). It's an easy hike, although this route is uphill the whole way, with no flat sections.
We had lunch at the top and saw a few people, but otherwise the trail was fairly quiet.
The pierced rock is worth the detour for its unique geological feature and the view from the top.

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dF34
dF34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty and easily accessible parish specific to Brittany

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andrebayle
andrebayle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Only a few people on the trail, except during holidays, weekends, and Wednesdays. In my opinion, the advantage is that by hiking counterclockwise, the stone remains hidden until you arrive at it.

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JPierr
JPierr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk, either with the family or on your own, this walk is fairly easy, although the climb is a little steep for those who are not very fit. There are some beautiful views from the top, well worth discovering.

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Hibiscussafi
Hibiscussafi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a short, interesting hike with beautiful views

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Muriel et christian
Muriel et christian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful route
with a nice climb

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giroutru
giroutru

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

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AuFre
AuFre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A walk of moderate interest... especially with the return journey by road.

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Mya
Mya

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike, suitable for children (our 4-year-old walks, and our 14-month-old is in a baby carrier).
From Pierre-Chatel, there are a few hundred metres that are a bit steep, but it's still manageable.
The pierced rock is a nice place to explore when you arrive.

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abruti
abruti

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk for everyone, with a beautiful view from the top and the legend of the Pierre Percée (Pierced Rock) to discover... You can see the "little devil kicking his backside"!
However, be warned if you're not used to hiking: from Pierre Châtel, the climb is steep in direct sunlight if you're a beginner!

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arlette22
arlette22

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant, easy hike with beautiful views at the top

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Françoise 38
Françoise 38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.

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