Saint-Michel Monastery via the hamlet of Saint-Sauveur

This short hike allows you to discover the local heritage: the site of the old gypsum quarries, the hamlet of Saint-Sauveur and the ruins of Saint-Michel monastery. It also offers a breathtaking view of the Drac valley, the Vercors and the Grenoble conurbation.

Details

768368
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 396 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 396 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 640 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in the old village of Champ-sur-Drac, at the entrance to the village, where there is a small car park at the foot of the little Saint-Blaise church.

(S/E) Walk up Rue du 8 Mai 1945.

(1) Take the first path on the left and pass between the houses. The path turns right and begins a slight climb. At a fork, turn left.

(2) At the next fork, turn right. The path heads north-northeast and then curves eastward.

(3) Arrive at the site of old gypsum quarries (located below) and continue along a small road. Walk along the edge of a military training area.

(4) Ignore the track on the right and continue straight ahead, east then north-east.

(5) At the next intersection, leave the track and take a path on the right that leads into the forest. Ignore a path on the left and climb up to a small road: follow it to the right and reach the hamlet of Saint-Sauveur.

(6) At the first house, turn right and then right again at the next junction. Pass under a power line and follow the small road downhill for about a kilometre.

(7) At the end of a right-hand bend, leave the road and take the path on the left, which begins a steep climb. Tourist signs provide information about the site.

(8) At the crossroads, take the path on the left that climbs up to the ruins of the old monastery (information sign).

(9) Descend via the same path.

(8) Continue straight ahead downhill, then turn left and immediately right. Go downhill and, at the crossroads, go straight ahead.

(10) Follow the road to the left. Take the third right, Rue du 8 mai 1945.

(1) Continue along the street and you will soon return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 304 m - Car park at the entrance to Champ-sur-Drac.
  2. 1 : km 0.06 - alt. 312 m - Fork
  3. 2 : km 0.61 - alt. 389 m - Turn right at the fork.
  4. 3 : km 1.77 - alt. 390 m - Old quarries
  5. 4 : km 2.62 - alt. 382 m - Intersection
  6. 5 : km 3.09 - alt. 395 m - Fork in the road
  7. 6 : km 4.03 - alt. 473 m - Saint-Sauveur
  8. 7 : km 4.8 - alt. 423 m - Trail start
  9. 8 : km 6.01 - alt. 579 m - Return trip to the ruins
  10. 9 : km 6.39 - alt. 640 m - Ruines du Prieuré de Saint-Michel de Connexe (Champ-sur-Drac)
  11. 10 : km 7.71 - alt. 328 m - Road
  12. S/E : km 8.06 - alt. 304 m - Car park at the entrance to Champ-sur-Drac.

Notes

Water available in the hamlet of Saint-Sauveur and at the starting point. The final descent from (7) is very steep and can be slippery when wet, so walking poles may be useful.

Worth a visit

Signs provide information about the gypsum quarries and the types of trees in the forest.
In the village, take time to admire the old wash houses and the ruins of the castle, whose tower is still standing.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
gizzpel
gizzpel

Thank you for the proposal )

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polo381
polo381

Hello, the solution to avoid the somewhat steep descent between waypoints 8 and 10 on the way back is to descend via the ascent route to waypoint 7 and then return to the starting point via the small road.

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gizzpel
gizzpel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk on a Thursday without seeing anyone. Many species of orchids.
To be repeated in autumn to enjoy the colours of these beautiful forests. Thanks to the author!
The descent after the monastery is long and a bit steep on the knees; could there be other alternatives?

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randosoise
randosoise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk through the woods. Well-designed educational panels line the path up to the ruins of the Priory. Some beautiful views.

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casillas
casillas
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short and beautiful hike, easy to navigate if you follow the Visorando trail closely. Did not climb up to the monastery ruins due to the slippery terrain covered with dead leaves. From point 8 to point 9, the descent was long and very difficult due to the slippery conditions; you had to be very careful of the logs hidden by the leaves. Did not see anyone else on this route. Thanks to the trailblazer.

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Vizilloise
Vizilloise
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk just a stone's throw from the house, taking you through countryside, forest and mountains. Magnificent panoramic views of the Vercors and Chartreuse peaks. Sheltered from the wind. Very pleasant.

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polo381
polo381

Hello, it seems that you were not satisfied with the description. Could you be more specific? What information was missing or incorrect? Your comments are valuable and help us to improve.

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emilie.M19
emilie.M19

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I didn't like the route description. I even thought I was on the wrong path and ended up going the wrong way at one point (luckily there were people there who could give me directions). Be aware that GPS doesn't work in some places.
I enjoyed the "arboretum path" section with lots of descriptions that break up this long, gentle climb. There is currently building work going on at the monastery, which is "closed to the public", which is a bit of a shame as that's the main attraction!

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.

Did you have any problems with the description and layout? If so, how can we fix it? Can you give us some suggestions?

See you soon.

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ANLYP381
ANLYP381

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

The start is poorly marked from the outset
Walk too close to the factories in Champ sur Drac

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Foxargente
Foxargente

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I set off on foot, out of curiosity, and discovered a route that could also be done by mountain bike, via St Georges de Commier.
A beautiful discovery through the woods and a beautiful view from the ruins of the monastery. Very stable trails.
Perhaps a little long with young children!
Not many people out today! (Not!)

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MIJALUDANS
MIJALUDANS

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy hike suitable for families
stunning views of the Vercors from the monastery ruins and a lovely spot for a picnic

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L'ours du Vercors
L'ours du Vercors

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant, not too long hike where you can discover unexpected places.

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