The Col des Bois Communaux

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Come and hike in the hills above Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans with a fantastic viewpoint halfway along the route.

Details

n°30143711
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.48 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,329 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,339 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,759 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 554 ft
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Photos

Panoramic view to the east, looking out over the Bourne and Isère valleys
Flower-lined path

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near Thaïs Cave.

(Out and back) From the car park, head west towards the D532 along theGRP®® des Monts du Matin. Just before reaching the road, take the track heading due north and follow it to the D532.
Cross the road with great care and follow the Canal de la Bourne.

(1) A few metres further on, leave the road and take the path branching off to the left. Cross the canal via a small bridge and continue straight ahead on theGRP®® until you reach a signpost.

(2) Leave theGRP®® trail, which heads off to the left, and take the route towards La Baume d’Hostun. Walk a few metres along the tarmac before leaving it by taking the path that branches off to the left. After walking alongside a field for some time, you’ll come to another signpost instructing you to take the path that branches off to the left. The route leads to a place called Les Homes.

(3) Turn 180° to the left onto the path leading up to La Madelanière.

(4) Join theGRP®® des Monts du Matin and continue to the right towards the Belvédère. A few metres further on, at yet another signpost, leave theGRP®® and head for the Belvédère. After a few ascents, you’ll reach the long-awaited belvédère, offering a breathtaking panorama.

(5) Head back down due south and, after about a hundred metres, rejoin theGRP®® des Monts du Matin. Follow it to the right and, at the next junction, turn left. Cross a sort of sharp limestone pavement, pass a pylon and reach the Col des Bois Communaux.

(6) Leave theGRP®® for a short while to take the path leading off to the left towards the Maison de la Luce.

(7) Turn left onto theGRP®® and take great care, as the descent is quite steep in places a few metres further on (take care the day after rain). Stay on theGRP®® at all times; it will take you back to Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans.

(8) Pass the aqueduct, head down into the village and, when you reach Rue du Bourg Souverain, turn left to join the D532 road. Cross it carefully and head down to the right towards the Grotte de Thaïs car park to finish this walk (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 564 ft - Car park near the - Grotte de Thaïs
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 627 ft - Fork in the path - Isère (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.76 - alt. 666 ft - Junction/Exit from the GRP trail
  4. 3 : mi 1.62 - alt. 866 ft - The Homes
  5. 4 : mi 2 - alt. 1,240 ft - La Madelanière
  6. 5 : mi 2.35 - alt. 1,526 ft - Viewpoint
  7. 6 : mi 3.13 - alt. 1,759 ft - Col des bois Communaux (536m)
  8. 7 : mi 3.24 - alt. 1,617 ft - Maison de la Luce junction
  9. 8 : mi 4.38 - alt. 604 ft - Aqueduct
  10. S/E : mi 4.48 - alt. 561 ft - Car park near the - Bourne (rivière)

Notes

Watch a video of the walk via the following link: https://youtu.be/HfnwzobCouI
Please note: there is a fairly steep descent a few metres after point (7).
Walking poles are useful.

Worth a visit

Paddle steamer and Thaïs Cave near the starting point.
Lift leading to the Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans Aqueduct.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 16867286

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I turned back because, once I reached Hommes, I wasn’t sure which way to go as there were no further signposts!!

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BadinD
BadinD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk above Saint-Nazaire offering magnificent views over the Isère valley and the Royans region. The route is easy to follow, with well-maintained paths and clear signposting.
After La Baume d'Hostun, a pleasant climb takes you up quickly, revealing the Isère plain to the west and Romans, before turning over the ridge of Mont Vanille to admire the same valley to the east.
A route thoroughly enjoyed by all participants.

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Marthe38440
Marthe38440

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

My daughter and I walked the entire route to the viewpoint, which is 8 km.
It was a very pleasant walk, except for one moment when we didn't follow the right colour, and I think the colours (orange) are the colours used by hunters.
We turned back and everything went well.
In some places, the vegetation is quite dense, so you need to be careful.

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romanche
romanche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with splendid views. Without GPS, we took a wrong turn just after the small bridge over the canal. As a result, we went straight up to point 4 instead of going via La Baume d'Hostun. But the trail is very nice and we saved time! Thank you for this hike.

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maxime_so1
maxime_so1

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, accessible and perfect for a short afternoon.
The descent towards St Nazaire, after the Col des Bois Communaux, is less well maintained, with lots of brambles and bushes invading the path. Fortunately, the passage remains passable.

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dsalles
dsalles

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is indeed a bit slippery and wet at the moment.
The viewpoint is not essential, as the panorama is clearly visible from the sharp limestone pavement.

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Florence38!
Florence38!

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, but not one to do on a rainy day: the descent (or ascent, depending on the direction) is along a steep riverbed... For much of the way, you can hear the busy main road. A dynamic walk: you go up and down through pleasant woodland, with beautiful views.

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CFou
CFou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A shaded hike, ideal in hot weather. Beautiful panoramic views of Royans, Isère and Vercors. The first part is a little noisy due to the proximity of the main road.

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pierrot 26
pierrot 26

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk without any great difficulties. I enjoyed the views and the peace and quiet. I recommend this route.

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Lysiane
Lysiane

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with a superb view of Royans!

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Boboye2607
Boboye2607

Hike not yet completed.
Kind regards
b;boyer

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