The balconies of Sainte-Colombe

de fr

This 6-kilometre walk from the village of Sainte-Colombe (with a single exposed climb of about 1.8 km) offers aerial views of Sainte-Colombe and the surrounding landscapes (Céans valley, Adrech rocks and Dévoluy) along the Chabre ridge via a flat, shaded hillside path.
A variation halfway through is possible to reduce the route to around 4 kilometres.

Details

n°320266
Creation:
Last update:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 266 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,186 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 939 m
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Photos

The pierced rock
Ste Colombe

Description of the walk

Access: Go to the village of Sainte-Colombe and park in the car park at Place du Lavoir in Sainte-Colombe.

(S/E) Head towards Les Clots, then turn right at the fork. Continue south-southwest on the wide, open track (dirt and stones).

(1) Turn left at the hairpin bend in the track and continue south on a path. Pass an old quarry and continue to a signpost.

(2) Follow the path to the left and at the next intersection, ignore the path coming from the right. Continue straight ahead, eastwards, on the path that goes under the forest canopy on the hillside (easy and very pleasant ground without stones).

(3) Cross theGRP® du Tour du Sud du Buëch and follow it east for a few dozen metres (yellow and red markings). Then leave theGRP®, turn right and continue north-east on the path along the hillside until you reach a DFCI track.

(4) Follow the track to the left, pass Font Couguré and reach Les Clots. Continue in the same direction on the road to reach Sainte Colombe and the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 940 m - Sainte-Colombe
  2. 1 : km 1.56 - alt. 1,086 m - Hairpin bend to the left
  3. 2 : km 2.22 - alt. 1,163 m - Signpost
  4. 3 : km 3.8 - alt. 1,118 m - Crossroads Trail - GR du tour du Sud du Buech
  5. 4 : km 5 - alt. 1,087 m - Forest road: Ste Colombe Col de Beynaves
  6. S/E : km 6.74 - alt. 940 m - Ste Colombe

Notes

No water points. Picnic possible halfway (pleasant shaded area).

Hike along a shaded hillside trail; only the initial climb and the return along the forest road are exposed.

Children can be brought along, but suitable equipment is required due to the (slightly) stony nature of the climb.

Alternative route:
It is possible to shorten the route considerably and without difficulty by following theGRP® from (3) to Sainte-Colombe (shortly after (3), turn left with theGRP® towards the descent).

Worth a visit

This hike offers beautiful views of Sainte-Colombe and the Céans valley towards Orpierre. In the distance, you can see Le Dévoluy.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
jeannotbi
jeannotbi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk along a well-marked path above the pretty village of Ste Colombe, clinging to its rock. Route done in late October with magnificent autumn colours. Interesting information about the history of the village is provided at the start of the route.

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User 14223558

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike with vultures near the pierced rock.
Varied and easy route.

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plevy04@gmail.com
plevy04@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completely in line with my expectations and the description.

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GG05 et Calou
GG05 et Calou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with beautiful views that unfold as you climb, followed by refreshing woodland. Chat with a few locals, especially at the enclosure, and enjoy a warm welcome from everyone you meet.

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France bourret
France bourret

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful view and accessible.

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glaciers
glaciers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant route, especially in autumn when the colours are magnificent.

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guigui05300
guigui05300

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easily accessible hike that can be completed in about an hour and a half.

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leraymur
leraymur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy route with beautiful scenery.

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randonalpe
randonalpe

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike, we were warmly welcomed by the villagers and farmers. The place after the village is not clearly marked, but the shepherds guided us. The rest of the hike is well marked with signposts. The undergrowth is pleasant. The off-trail section higher up along the ridge, with a few tricky passages for a five-year-old girl, offers superb views.

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