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You set off from the lovely esplanade in Beauvoir-en-Royans. Take the time to walk around it before you set off. On your return, you might not have the time or energy, and that would be a shame. Admire the buildings and the view over the Isère valley and the Chambarans.
(S/E) Take the grassy path that winds down between the castle ramparts and the rather surprising campsite (marked with yellow and green signs). Ignore the first path that branches off to the right, running alongside the ramparts. At the next Fork in the road, turn right to come out onto a small road (Route de Beauvoir).
(1) Turn right here too. Walk downhill to the RD1532, which you cross carefully.
Carry on straight ahead along the tarmac road, which takes you to a Fork in the road at the Beauvoir bridge. Take the left-hand branch. When it joins the busy road coming from the bridge 50 metres further on, you will see, on the other side of the departmental road, slightly to your right, a yellow sign marking the start of the Kingfisher Trail. Cross the road (take care).
(2) Follow this path. You’ll come to an information board, then a little further on a shelter from which you can observe the wildlife in the marsh reserve. Continue along this path until you reach the sign for “Beauvoir Dam” (which is located well before the dam itself).
(3) Turn right onto a wide path leading to the dam, which is off-limits. Walk along the fence and continue along the path. You’ll reach the edge of a walnut grove. The path naturally curves to the left and begins to climb. Ignore a path branching off to your right, then you’ll come to a small tarmac road with a sign reading “Les Dragonnières”.
(4) Make a mental note of this spot. On the way back, you’ll carry on straight ahead to reach your car more quickly. For now, turn right. The road curves to the left; carry on straight ahead along a stony track until you reach the sign for ‘Les Fêtérées’.
(5) Carry on to the right, ignoring all the turnings on the left, which will take you to the ‘Les Bachasses’ sign.
(6) Carry on straight ahead, towards “La Sône”. At one point, you’ll come to a Fork in the road where the signposting is barely visible. Take the right-hand fork, which leads you to the Pont de La Sône.
(7) Cross the bridge to reach the opposite bank and enter the village of La Sône.
(8) Turn left and walk until you reach a tower on the banks of the Isère (Saint-Pierre Church is nearby).
(9) Turn left to go down to the riverbank. Head slightly north-east. Pass under the bridge, then carry on to see the breathtaking waterfalls and the castle.
(10) Return via Impasse des Tufières and head back to the bridge.
(8) Cross the bridge and return to the junction of the third circular loop.
(7) Take the path back in the opposite direction to the way out, on the left as you leave the bridge. You’ll pass the junctions you went past on the way out and arrive at the second junction of the circular route, which you’ve already passed on the way out.
(4) Continue along the small road, straight ahead, following the yellow and green signposting. Watch out! At one point there is a yellow and green Cross; carry on regardless. On the next tree, you’ll find the signposting again (no doubt the work of a grumpy local or a mischievous sign-poser).
You’ll pass through the hamlets of Les Dragonières and Les Condamines to reach the D1532.
(11) Cross the road and take the small street opposite (Rue des Mayettes). When you reach a stop sign, turn left. You’ll come to another stop sign and turn left again. Very soon, you’ll take a narrow lane at a 45° angle to the right (Montée de l’Église), which leads you straight to the church.
(12) Walk past the church and turn right. Pass a street on your right and the Impasse du Calvaire on your left, and you’ll soon come to the sign for “les Veillats”.
(13) Turn left onto the path that cuts through an impressive walnut grove. Note the wayside cross on your left, perched on a rock that seems to have sprung up out of nowhere. At the end of the walnut grove, you’ll find a sign for “La Cote”.
(14) Turn left, then, quite soon after, turn onto the first grassy path on your right.
This leads you to a monument commemorating the Resistance fighters of the Second World War; the path then becomes tarmac and climbs steeply to join a small road, which you follow to the right (sign for “Beauvoir en Royans – 20 mins”). You’ll emerge onto the small road at the first junction of the circular route, which you’ve already passed on the way out.
(1) Take the path opposite, then quickly take the first on the right and finally turn left. You’ll pass under an old fortified gate to enter Beauvoir and return to the car park (S/E).
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