The Roize Circuit

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that’s more challenging than you might think at first glance. Your efforts are rewarded by walks through beautifully restored hamlets and stunning views.
The ford at the bottom of Roize is easy to cross.
To avoid the section of the walk along the Col de la Placette road at the end of the hike, take the challenging but scenic climb from the Roize up to the hamlet of Saint Nizier, then head straight down to the hikers’ car park via small tarmac roads and footpaths: an additional 60 m of elevation gain.

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Date of your route : Mar 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, beautiful scenery, stunning views. However, there is an error in the stated elevation gain, which is 470m instead of 410m. At point 4, at La Rigonnière, there is indeed a risk of getting lost as the Roize ford is signposted to the left. But this is the lower ford. You must follow the guidebook carefully and head up to the right towards Chalais via La Gerboudière (no. 4) to reach the upper ford, which then descends towards L’Ancienne Eglise. Follow the map and guidebook closely throughout the entire route.

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant circular walk, particularly on a hot day, as the walk mainly follows a path through the woods, keeping you more or less away from the Roize stream except when you cross the ford.
There are some lovely views, particularly of the Dent de Moirans, plus you pass through a few charming hamlets.

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Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, fairly easy walk, mostly through woodland. Ideal for a short getaway and a picnic in the cool shade by the stream.

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Date of your route : Apr 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It’s a lovely walk, with the highlight being the crossing of the Roize stream at the ford! The climb is gradual and easy to manage.
However, I did the walk in the wrong direction; at point 3, I carried on straight ahead instead of turning right... I didn’t quite understand the description and, above all, I was misled by the yellow hiking signs! Don’t follow these signs and make sure you follow the directions in the guidebook... I therefore arrived at the Roize dam and made my way up to the Old Church via the path I should have taken for the return journey.

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