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For this circular, park at Saillans station. There is also another car park just across the main road (former restaurant).
The first part of the route follows theGR® 9, the end follows theGR® 95A.
(S/E) Start this hike by following the left bank of the Drôme, in the direction of Crest - Die. Go to the road bridge that crosses the D93. This 500m stretch is safe for hikers as it is protected from traffic. Climb the stairs and cross the bridge.
(1) Turn right onto Chemin de la Mure until you reach Route de la Chaudière. Follow this road to the right for 200 metres, then, at the bend, go straight ahead onto a small path that will save you from a long circular detour on tarmac.
When you reach Route de la Chaudière again, follow it for 100 metres and then take a small path that climbs up to the right. This narrow path climbs gently.
(2) The path widens, passes to the right of a vineyard and rejoins the D156, which climbs to La Chaudière. Follow it for 750 metres to reach the Col des Rechats.
(3) Ignore the three paths on your right and take the one that branches off to the left, then immediately leave it to take a small path that climbs up to the right. Join the tarmac road again.
(4) Cross carefully to rejoin the narrow path that climbs quite steeply opposite. This path quickly crosses a first, wider path, which you also leave to continue straight ahead. The climb is steeper. You can see the Tour de Crest in the distance. After 750 metres, it leads to a second, wider path. You are now at the highest point of this route.
(5) Turn left at the descent. Leave theGR® 9 for a link between theGR®9and theGR® 95A. At the end of this descent, go up to the right on the D156 then turn left towards the hamlet of Les Auberts.
(6) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the small path on the right which descends and passes in front of a small water treatment plant, followed by a hairpin bend, then a large circular to the left.
(7) About 750 metres after this last circular, leave the wide path and take the narrower path that climbs to the right through the woods. It is often very damp at the start. It will lead you to a road, where you will have a clear view.
(8) We are in Bellieux, at the foot of the Trois Becs and the Rocher de la Laveuse. We are also in front of a few rare old chestnut trees, including the patriarch, at the foot of which is inscribed its estimated age of between 500 and 700 years... A break at this point seems appropriate.
Then, continue down the road towards the small hamlet of Rif des Fauries. You will then join theGR®95A. At the exit of the hamlet, after the S-bend, leave the tarmac road and take the small paths on the right that run alongside the road. Stay on theGR® 95A. Several small wooden bridges will allow you to cross the Contècle.
Continue down into the Gorges de Saint-Moirans, running parallel to the D776. TheGR® 95A will soon take you back to the tarmac road, which you should follow until you reach an intersection (elevation 143). At this point, the road widens. There is a very short path perpendicular to the left and a path to the right that leads back towards you and up to a farm.
(9) Leave theGR® 95A and turn right onto the path that climbs towards the Ferme des Courts, which you will follow along the back. Stay on this path until you reach a fork.
(10) Take the path on the right overlooking the farm, then immediately turn left. You will enter private property blocked by a chain, but a hiking trail has been created with a sign indicating recommendations for use. This path leads you close to the railway line. Stop about fifteen metres before the line.
(11) A small path descends to the left towards the Contècle, which we have already crossed several times. Here, a new bridge has been rebuilt in two parts forming a "V". It leads to a path running for about 100 metres between two high walls.
Then turn right to reach the bridge over the D93, which we crossed at the very beginning of the route.
(1) Cross the bridge and then descend to the left using the same stairs. The cars are 500m away (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Local authority
Easy 
