Along the vineyards of Cerdon

This circular route allows you to explore the heights of the village of Cerdon along the vineyards, with a magnificent view of the valley from the ruins of Saint-Alban Church.

Details

19489116
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 257 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 255 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 564 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 310 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Place de la Mairie.

(S/E). Turn left onto Rue de la Californie until you reach a small bridge, which you must cross.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de la Gumarde, then right onto Rue du Pied de Moisset, until you reach the first path on the left. Take this path, which crosses another path and continues between the vineyards. After a second cross path, continue north then north-east.

(2) Cross the small stream (a rope can help you cross safely) and arrive at a fork near the Rocher de Saint-Alban.

(3) Take the path on the right to reach the ruins of the 11th-century Saint-Alban Church, built on a Celtic site. From the esplanade, enjoy a magnificent view of the valley. Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(3) Continue north-west to Chemin Coiron.

(4) Turn left onto this path and continue straight on until you reach the intersection with Chemin du Moleyron (marked by a cross). Continue along the paved road to Cerdon for 1 km and join Chemin de Grignan at the entrance to the hamlet of Bôches (municipality of Saint-Alban).

(5) Turn left and, at the end of the hamlet, pass in front of a wine cellar recognisable by its barrels. Immediately turn left onto a path that forms a circular loop and rejoins the road to the left until you reach an intersection.

(6) At this intersection, which indicates the direction of "Bôches village vigneron" and "École d'escalade", leave the main road and take a hairpin bend that leads into the vineyards and away from the village of Cerdon.

(7) Follow the hairpin bend, passing a small shed with a signpost next to it. Continue along the path towards Cerdon.

(8) In the village, turn left onto Rue des Vignes, then right onto Rue des Terreaux until you reach Rue du 12 juillet 1944, where you turn left to reach Place de la Mairie (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 316 m - Place de la Mairie
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 314 m - Bridge
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 469 m - Small stream
  4. 3 : km 1.53 - alt. 563 m - Fork in the road at Saint-Alban Church
  5. 4 : km 2.24 - alt. 546 m - Chemin Coiron
  6. 5 : km 4.03 - alt. 511 m - Wine cellar
  7. 6 : km 5.43 - alt. 430 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 5.8 - alt. 402 m - Intersection
  9. 8 : km 6.96 - alt. 312 m - Rue des Vignes
  10. S/E : km 7.33 - alt. 316 m - Place de la Mairie

Notes

A very steep climb to the ruins of Saint-Alban Church for a good thirty minutes, including crossing a stream, which can be a little difficult in rainy weather.
Yellow markings indicate the path.

Worth a visit

View of the Culaz Waterfall, visible in rainy weather but reduced in summer during droughts.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
franfran69
franfran69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, no water at this time of year to climb up to Saint-Alban Church. The church is still undergoing renovation, with part of the roof being rebuilt.
No particular difficulty except at the beginning, where there is a steep 40-minute climb.
After that, it's a gentle descent, through vineyards at the end, with beautiful views.
The route is reliable, no problems.

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Patrixdemex
Patrixdemex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I knew the climb up to St Alban, no surprises there. But I didn't know this route back through the vineyards. It's interesting. A bit of tarmac, sure, but between points 4 and 5 you can also take a path on the right of the road (as "isabelle Uettwiller" mentioned in a previous post), which runs alongside it. It's nicer for walking.
Thanks for the route.
I recommend it

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User 26126180

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant short hike with some beautiful views of the valley and the village of Cerdon. The start is a little steep, with all the elevation gain in the first hour, followed by a leisurely walk across the plateau and back down to the village.

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Ecamvélo
Ecamvélo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route. A little steep at the start up to the church, but it climbs gently (allow 45 minutes to an hour for the ascent).
Relaxing scenery. Allow between 2½ and 3 hours, which can be supplemented with a visit to the Cerdon Copper Works, a 10-minute walk from the starting point.

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mcaugee
mcaugee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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isabelle Uettwiller
isabelle Uettwiller

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant with a visit to the chapel. You can avoid a section of road (very little traffic) by taking a parallel path through the fields.

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andomir
andomir

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route that we did backwards so as not to start with the fairly steep climb at the beginning
Beautiful, relaxing countryside scenery. Very nice view from St Alban's Chapel
Allow about 3 hours. No difficulties

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Vané01
Vané01
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very pleasant route. The climb at the start is a bit tough but manageable.
The view of Cerdon and the Monts du Lyonnais from the chapel makes the effort worthwhile, as does the view of the Culaz waterfall. However, the church is currently undergoing renovation.
We did this hike after several days of rain and had no trouble crossing the small stream (the rope can help if necessary)
The return journey was along sections of road (with little traffic), but the view of the vineyards and surrounding mountains along the way is very pleasant.
this route is very accessible in wetter seasons.

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Crotal
Crotal

Very beautiful hike. Well explained, and the climb to the church is tough but very enjoyable. The passages through the vineyards are very pleasant.

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jperino
jperino

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really nice walk. Not too long. Definitely worth doing, even though the climb is a bit steep, but it's well worth the effort. Chapel on a peak and a bucolic descent.

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Aline Christian
Aline Christian

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike with a beautiful view at the top (although the church is currently undergoing renovation). We had a great time and extended the hike a little to enjoy it even more. The region seems to be full of great routes. In any case, thank you for the idea, we'll be back in the area for more walks!

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Lexa21
Lexa21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done today.
It climbs from the start of the hike for 1.54 km to the church, then it flattens out. Mostly wooded, thankfully. The church is undergoing renovation, so there are barriers in place. When we passed through, there was no water source and no view of a waterfall due to the recent drought.
I enjoyed the section through the vineyards and then the fields. I didn't find the section on tarmac to be long or bothersome.
The most beautiful part is the view once you reach the top at the church

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amch
amch

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

hello,
we did this hike on 15 May. It was a moderately warm day
the first part is very interesting. The church ruins are well worth the effort. A beautiful climb and what a view!
The rest is nothing special and there is a long way to go... At the end of the route, it is essential to wear a hat as the entire section is in direct sunlight!

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Gilles01500
Gilles01500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
The hike is very well described, with reliable information that corresponds well to the existing markings on the ground.

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