The discovery trail in Beaumont-lès-Valence

The Discovery Trail is a walking route that runs alongside the Écoutay River and introduces you to the solar system in miniature, thanks to themed information boards designed by the Beaumont astronomy club, Les Pléiades.

Details

402626
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 11 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 11 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 155 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 139 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts at a small dirt car park at the junction of Chemin des Foulon and Écoutay. A large sun symbol marks the start of the path.

(S/E) Facing the "sun" and the sign presenting the discovery trail, turn left onto the path that runs alongside the Écoutay. Cross the first footbridge and continue along the stream. After about 300 metres, you will come to another footbridge.

(1) Turn right onto the footbridge and cross the stream to find the Gour de l'Olive marker. Turn right and continue along the path beside the Écoutay on the other bank. Quickly leave the path on the left and continue to the tarmac road (Chemin du Foulon) on the other side of the starting point.

Cross the road and take the path opposite. The actual start of the discovery trail begins here, at the Pont des Foulons signpost. Continue straight ahead and you will soon come to the first sign, Mercure, which provides explanations.

Continue for more than a kilometre, still following the stream, reading the various signs. You will come to a wooden footbridge at the sundial.

(2) Turn right, cross the footbridge and take the path on the right along the stream on the other bank. Here again, there are several information panels along the route. You will come to a tarmac road. Follow it straight ahead to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 144 m - Car park near the Pont des Foulons (Sun)
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 140 m - Metal footbridge, turn right
  3. 2 : km 2.77 - alt. 155 m - Wooden footbridge, turn right
  4. S/E : km 4.27 - alt. 144 m - Car park near the Pont des Foulons (Sun)

Notes

A family walk that is an excuse to discover our solar system.
This route is suitable for pushchairs.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
GRM26
GRM26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Some work going on nearby (flood management project)
But the path is accessible.
However, it needs a little tidying up (overgrown shrubs, etc.).
Some of the information boards also need the grass cut back so that they can be read.

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REYNAUD Chantal
REYNAUD Chantal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy trail, completely flat and very pleasant. It is very shady. Worth doing again.

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Dadou1968
Dadou1968

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little route, the path is well maintained.

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sommet
sommet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

:

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Nomade2607
Nomade2607

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2003
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hi,
I described this guidebook in 2004 (Le p'tit Crapahut en Drôme Ardèche, published by Glénat) and I indicate the route to get there, which is more practical given the comments made by families.
I hope the signs haven't been too badly damaged by vandalism and wear and tear.
The author
Cdt

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snake973
snake973

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with our 4-year-old grandson, who enjoyed walking along the river. I recommend this route to families, with the added bonus of learning a little about astronomy.

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MarieBlabla
MarieBlabla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A nice little walk with the opportunity to learn a bit about astronomy.

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slinky
slinky ★

Hello,

Thanks for the comment, but why did you describe it as "average"? Is it because it's difficult to find the starting point?

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betula26
betula26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Parking and sunshine, a little difficult to find, but the "Discovery Trail" signs are very helpful.
We only walked the eastern part of the trail.
The walk along this trail is very easy and interesting, both as an introduction to the planets in our solar system and for the different trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants that you encounter along the way.
The trail is well maintained.
It's a shame that the Ecoutay was dry.

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Martin JC
Martin JC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very difficult to find the starting point on the map provided: only follow the numerical coordinates (N, E), which are much more accurate.
JCM

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