The Châtelard ridges from Sainte-Catherine

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This hike, which is not difficult on the paths, offers beautiful views of Pilat and the Alps.

Details

n°9675429
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.38 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 201 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 196 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 865 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 680 m
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Photos

Village
Manor house
Stacking
The village of Sainte de Catherine

Description of the walk

In Saint-Catherine, head towards the campsite and park in the car park near the boules courts and the cemetery.

(S/E) Head south on the road towards the cemetery, keep left and follow the road uphill towards the campsite (GR®7markings). Just before the first bend, turn left onto the path and then, a little further on, turn left again when you reach the road. Continue straight ahead on this path, which can be muddy in places, and which climbs up to the campsite, crossing the road several times.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the path overlooking the campsite, following theGR®7trail and ignoring the paths that branch off to the left or right. Pass under the Croix du Châtelard (return trip possible) and you will reach a fork at the edge of the Bois du Petit Châtelard. There are some beautiful views in this area.

(2) Continue straight ahead, staying on theGR® trail which follows the ridge. Keep going in the same direction, ignoring the paths branching off to either side.

(3) At elevation 824 (Le Fayard), leave theGR®7and turn right towards the Chapelle Saint-Apollinaire. Reach the chapel, where there are several picnic tables and even a swing for children.

(4) Walk past the chapel and the swing and descend towards La Fayolle.

(5) At the fork, before the hamlet, turn right towards Sainte-Catherine.

(6) At the four-way junction, go straight ahead, keeping Bois Martoux on your right. Cross the tarmac road leading to Le Pavé and continue straight ahead.

(7) Keep to the right and join Sainte-Catherine via Chemin de la Rivière Platte at the junction with the D2 (Rue du Pertuis).

(8) Turn right, then right again about 50 metres further on, to join Rue des Écoliers, which leads directly to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 693 m - Parking area with boules court
  2. 1 : km 1.26 - alt. 812 m - Campsite
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 799 m - Three-way junction, straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 824 m - Le Fayard - Cote 824
  5. 4 : km 4.57 - alt. 862 m - Chapelle Saint-Apollinaire
  6. 5 : km 5.04 - alt. 816 m - La Fayolle
  7. 6 : km 5.78 - alt. 816 m - Crossroads, opposite
  8. 7 : km 7.34 - alt. 717 m - Three-way junction, on the right
  9. 8 : km 8.11 - alt. 696 m - Crossroads with the D2
  10. S/E : km 8.38 - alt. 693 m - Parking area with boules court

Notes

The path is wide throughout, but can be muddy after rain (especially the climb up to the campsite).

Worth a visit

Beautiful views of Pilat and the Alps. Nice picnic tables next to the Saint-Apollinaire Chapel.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route starts with a beautiful climb offering views from the ridges over the Pilat massif, farmland, orchards and cattle farms all along the way.
Continuing along this undulating route, you arrive at the Saint-Appolinaire chapel, where you can take a break and admire the interior of the building.
After Le Pavé, there is a slightly hazy view of Mont Blanc above the surrounding villages.
Thank you to the author for this nature trail in total tranquillity.
I really enjoyed it!!!!

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Sud 8
Sud 8
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful, rolling countryside views of crops, livestock and numerous hamlets
scattered throughout this rural setting. Thank you to the author.

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SMYKOWSKI
SMYKOWSKI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route. Don't forget to bring a water bottle in case it gets very hot.

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User 20457666

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy
Low level

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COLIN paul
COLIN paul

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good route, easy going with only one climb of about 1 km, but otherwise the rest of the route is very easy and can be done with children without any difficulty

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Fred345962
Fred345962

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike without too many difficulties.
Very little shade.
Beautiful green landscapes and lovely views of Pilat.
first climb very muddy with water running down it even though it hasn't rained for four days.
Caution at point 7: the sign says to keep right, but you need to take the path that descends to the left.

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dougere
dougere
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that we will do again in spring, following jaz69's suggestion to take the path slightly to the right rather than the ridge path. The view only opens up after the two routes join, so you don't miss anything.

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MrLC313
MrLC313

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A route completed in the normal direction, with beautiful scenery and no major difficulties.
I recommend it.

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jaz69
jaz69
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Quite a crowd this Easter Monday, but that's to be expected!
La Chapelle is ideally located for a picnic, with tables, views, swings, a small grassy area and even toilets.
We did the route in reverse to have a view of the Alps in front of us rather than behind us, but this meant a steep, exposed climb at the start
I also recommend taking the path slightly west of Le Chatelard rather than the GR ridge path (towards points 1 to 3; altitudes 728 to 806), as it is less crowded and a pretty trail

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ChristianNant70
ChristianNant70

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful landscapes of hedgerows and hills. Undergrowth and meadows.
Very pleasant in May with lots of flowers.
A lovely afternoon's walk.

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Bertrand Boyer
Bertrand Boyer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful walk.
However, the detailed description of the route could be improved. For example, by referring to the different colours of the markings that the route follows. (This is only mentioned once at the start of the route)

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jacquot60
jacquot60

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

:A pleasant, easy walk to get back into shape. Beautiful views of the Pilat.

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jerblanc
jerblanc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very pleasant, beautiful views, no significant difficulties. Picnic tables a little over halfway along the route.

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