The Tour de la Gerle

Reach La Roche-des-Arnauds via the D994. Park in the cemetery or town hall car park.

(S/E) Walk up the dyke along the Épervier torrent (or take the Chemin des Aires and negotiate the right-hand bend), then follow the Chemin du Colombier to the stone bridge and a signpost (533).

(1) Take the path that climbs up the right bank of the stream towards Serre La Gerle. The yellow PR® trail is the route de la Gerle. Be careful, as depending on the season, the directional sign may be hidden by vegetation.
After 200 m, the path leaves the bank and the slope becomes steeper. The path runs alongside a field, then joins a track which you follow uphill to the left until you reach the hairpin bend.

(2) Leave the path and take the small trail opposite (yellow markings on the tree). Be careful, there are some steep and overhanging sections.
The route offers views of the waterfalls, with several passages close to the pools.
The path then runs along the edge of a field until it reaches a track.

(3) Take the track on the right before passing the Béal de Pré le Bayle. Stay alert as there are few markings on this part of the "Tour de La Gerle" trail.

(4) At the crossroads, descend to the right towards Roche-des-Arnauds (southbound). The trail then descends into the forest.

(5) Take a short detour to the left (there and back) to approach the ruined tower of La Roche-des-Arnauds, which offers a beautiful view of the village.
Turn back and continue downhill, turning left towards the south-west, until you reach the village. Cross the bridge, turn right and return to the initial fork.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way up to return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Fountain in La Roche-des-Arnauds (village).

Part of the climb is exposed to the sun, so it is best to avoid it during the hottest hours of the day, but there are places near pools where you can cool off in summer.

Beautiful view from the ruined tower of La Roche-des-Arnauds, but as the castle ruins are only partially secured, please be very careful.

The ruined tower of La Roche-des-Arnauds (keep):
Built in the 11th century by the lords of Flotte, the simple wooden keep became a solid fortress around the 13th century. La Roche was one of the few seigneuries in the Dauphiné to have belonged to the same family without interruption from the Middle Ages to the Revolution (1080-1789). As it was the tradition of this seigneury to give the first name Arnaud to the eldest son of the family, this fortress on its rocky spur was nicknamed La Roche des Arnauds. The name then spread to the village that developed at its foot.
The panoramic view from this tower overlooking the village is impressive.

The Church of Saint-Pierre also dates back to the Middle Ages.