Léoncel walks

From Léoncel via the Pas du Grand Échaillon to the Col de la Bataille, then Gampaloux and the Grand Échaillon, a walk through the forest in the footsteps of the Cistercian monks of Léoncel Abbey.

After passing through the Col de la Bataille, take an aerial walk along the ridges of the Sausse rocks to the pass of the same name at an altitude of 1,440 metres, with beautiful views. After the Pas de Chovet, discover a double stone arch in the Bois de Ruclas, an extraordinary place with a promontory and a magnificent view of the Léoncel valley. Return to the Auberge du Grand Échaillon, which is also a cross-country skiing centre in winter, with the Col de la Bataille road, which is closed at this time of year, serving as a ski trail.

Le Grand Échaillon under the snow is truly magical! Snowshoeing is the best way to discover landscapes like those along this route and appreciate the beauty of nature in winter. Between open spaces with sweeping panoramas and the intimacy of the undergrowth, this route will leave you longing for more snowy adventures.

This is a relatively easy hike in the Léoncel National Forest, mostly on cross-country ski or snowshoe trails. It is a very pleasant walk in warm weather, as almost the entire route is in the shade.

This is an easy walk that can be done with young children. Picnics are possible in a shaded area.

A magnificent short hike on the Vercors plateaus, with a 360° view of the Valence plain and the village of Léoncel.

A magnificent view of the Monts du Matin: the Rocher du Roi Gros Nez, the Montagne de l'Epenet, the Rochers des Deux Soeurs and the Barbières valley as far as Valence and Romans-sur-Isère.

A lovely spring walk, partly off the beaten track, with the added bonus of discovering two beautiful arches.

The Ambel Plateau, divided between pastures and forests, covers an area of 1,231 hectares. The view of the surrounding peaks and mountains is superb, with the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors and the Grand Veymont to the east, and the Tête de la Dame (1,506 m), from where you can see the Diois and the Baronnies, to the west the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors and the Grand Veymont, to the west, the Tête de la Dame (1,506 m), from where you can see the Diois, the Baronnies and the Omblèze valley with its cliffs below, and to the south, the Saint-Julien-en-Quint valley.

An outpost of the Vercors on the western side, Roc de Toulau is a 1,581-metre peak offering views of the Ambel Plateau and the peaks of the Vercors, Diois, Drôme Provençale and, on a clear day, Mont Ventoux.

After a slightly steep but easy climb to Roc de Toulau, where the view is magnificent, we will reach the Plateau d'Ambel and its curious karstic cave des Quatre Gorges before climbing to the Tête de la Dame. Return via a good trail and then a wide path.

The Tête de la Dame offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama. Although it is accessible to experienced hikers from the village of Omblèze, it is also easier to get there from the Col de la Bataille. Ideal for a picnic!

A good half-day walk among the pines, boxwoods (what remains of them), beech trees and lawns.

While the Pas de Saint-Vincent and Pierre-Chauve are classics in the area, the route described here is less so... You'll need strong legs to climb the 300 m ascent below the Pas, save some energy to reach the summit of Pierre-Chauve, and a good sense of direction to reach Tourniol... but what a treat for the eyes!

The stronghold of the bishops of Valence, whose rights to this castle were confirmed in 1238 by the German emperors, Pellafol has always had the same lords as Barbières, although it had a different suzerain. This 8.5 km circuit takes you around the castle in Barbières, via the Col de la Sambie.