The Chapel Route

A very pleasant walk to discover the chapels of the commune of Puy-Saint-Pierre above Briançon.

Details

4526
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 360 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 358 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,627 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,275 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the D35 towards Puy-Saint-Pierre; in the village of Le Pinet, park either in front of the town hall or at the exit on the right in the car park.
(S) Start by heading down to the right (pavement protected by a wooden barrier). At the crossroads, turn right (yellow markings) then right again to reach the first chapel, Saint Claude.

(1) Continue following the markings to the Sainte Appolonie chapel.

(2). Then take the road on the left leading to the Saint Roch chapel in the hamlet of Belvoir.
Continue straight ahead along the wide path which joins the D35 road, cross this road and take the path opposite. You will reach the junction of the Route de Rochas Garnier and the D135.
Turn right onto the D135 and follow it for about 100 metres, then turn left to reach the Chapel of Saint Pierre.
Walk past the chapel on the left, then keep left and take the gently ascending path heading south-west. At the next junction, keep strictly to the left; the path descends slightly to the hairpin bend directly below the high-voltage power line.

(3) Start a steep side climb that ends with a few hairpin bends leading to Puy Richard.
Cross the road to reach the Saint Sixt chapel.

(4) Continue on theGR®50to your right, staying on thisGR® until you reach Puy-Saint-Pierre, which you can see to the north-east. Then head downhill, skirting the church square.

(5) Stay on the road until the first bend, then turn right onto the Sentier des Oratoires (signposted).
Return to the road and take the path opposite that passes under the paragliders’ pole.
Follow the yellow trail markings and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,324 m - Pinet car park
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 1,275 m - Saint Claude Chapel
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 1,313 m - Chapel of Saint Appolonia
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 1,535 m - Hairpin bend
  5. 4 : km 3.11 - alt. 1,619 m - Saint Sixt Chapel
  6. 5 : km 4.01 - alt. 1,553 m - Church of Puy Saint Pierre
  7. S/E : km 5.12 - alt. 1,326 m - Pinet car park

Notes

In every hamlet you pass through, there are fountains offering a well-deserved refreshment.

Worth a visit

As you will have gathered, this walk allows you to discover the chapels found in all these hamlets.
Some are of lesser interest, but the one at Puy-Richard Saint Sixt is rich in frescoes. The fresco on the façade hints at a real treasure inside; indeed, the interior frescoes have been restored. Finally, in Puy-Saint-Pierre, it is worth visiting the small museum that has been set up here.
This walk is described in detail in the recent FFRP Topo Guide “The Briançon Area… on Foot”; it is walk no. 4.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Helene102
Helene102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route, suitable even in winter with a little snow. You may wish to bring crampons to fit over your shoes.
The route runs along the south-facing slope, which is lovely when the sun is low

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Kooalia
Kooalia
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting walk, without any complications or particular exertion, nor any difficult sections.
The signposting isn’t great; there are missing signs, or even waymarkers, so you have to look for the route.

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guymalo71
guymalo71

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk above Briançon, starting with a steep climb

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renato83
renato83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

In the hamlet of Belvoir, I didn’t find a wide path but a narrow one that climbs quite steeply and joins the road further up; I don’t think there are many yellow waymarkers there

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ROUSSELET
ROUSSELET

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk near Briançon, undertaken on an overcast day when it wasn’t possible to head for the higher peaks that day.
Offers a lovely view of Briançon and a chance to explore the little paths, chapels and villages around Briançon

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douardouin
douardouin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, relaxing hike around Briançon
A steep climb, the rest is easy
The chapels are lovely, but be careful after St Pierre Chapel: you’ll need to retrace your steps for about 100 metres, as a chalet blocks the original path

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