The Isles of the Drac

A short walk in the Isles du Drac Nature Reserve for lovers of flora and fauna. Best done early in the morning or late in the evening to spot wildlife such as roe deer, does, foxes and herons.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 18 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 18 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 296 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 275 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Areas: Alps, Dauphiné
  • ⚐ City: Vif (38450)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.073248° / E 5.710442°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3335OT, 3335OTR, 3336OT, 3336OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the end of the Route de Reymure on leaving Varces.

(S/E) Take the straight path heading south-west for about a hundred metres. Reach the junction where the path is blocked by a barrier with an information sign about the Isles du Drac.

(1) Turn sharply left to take this path. At the three-way junction, turn right and continue along the path to the next junction

(2) Turn right, heading south-west, and walk to the next three-way junction by the ponds.

(3) Turn left. Walk alongside Robinson Pond on your left. Pass under a high-voltage power line once, then continue to the junction.

(4) Turn right and continue to the junction at the edge of the Drac gravel pits.

(5) Ignore the path branching off to the right and continue straight on, heading south, along a track. Walk alongside the gravel pits until you reach the banks of the Drac. Follow the left bank until you come to a wide, carriage-accessible track.

(6) Turn right onto this track. Continue due north, ignoring the paths on your right, until you reach a gate blocking the track.

(7) Take this long, straight track to the right, returning to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Keep straight ahead and follow the short path from the outward journey to return to the car park at the end of Route de Reymure (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 278 m - Car park at the end of the Reymure road
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 279 m - Information board – Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.64 - alt. 277 m - Junction - Drac (rivière) - Drac Noir-Drac
  4. 3 : km 1.31 - alt. 283 m - Crossroads - Ponds
  5. 4 : km 1.82 - alt. 285 m - Junction
  6. 5 : km 2.66 - alt. 291 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 3.55 - alt. 296 m - T-junction - Drac (rivière) - Drac Noir-Drac
  8. 7 : km 4.73 - alt. 291 m - Turn right and return to the car park
  9. S/E : km 6.52 - alt. 278 m - Car park at the end of the Reymure road

Notes

Warning: there are no markings or signposts in this area. However, as the terrain is completely open, it is very easy to find your way.
Do not venture into the bed of the Drac and respect the access restrictions within the nature reserve itself, indicated by a small red sign.
The route along the path between points (5) and (6) is somewhat unmarked.

Worth a visit

This nature reserve is a real gem in terms of flora and fauna. The best times to visit are between May and June and in the autumn. You may spot roe deer, foxes, badgers, waders of all kinds and dragonflies, but of course, you have to work for it.
Further information on the reserve

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Fenneca
Fenneca

Doesn't this walk seem quite a long way from Haut de Jarrie?

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Borde88
Borde88

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant walk around the top of Jarrie; it’s clearly signposted, so I highly recommend it.

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Fenneca
Fenneca

Yes, for some time now, it’s been impossible to follow because you keep coming across various closed sections. So the route needs to be reviewed

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MarbolanGos
MarbolanGos

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The suggested route takes you along paths that are off-limits. This needs reviewing.
Otherwise, the Îles du Drac are a lovely, quiet and pleasant place to go for a walk.

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bntm
bntm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk through the nature reserve, ideal for a cool stroll in the summer. There are several possible routes, all of which intersect to a greater or lesser extent. Contrary to what the oldest comment suggests, the suggested walk remains within the official hiking area authorised by the reserve’s management (sign at the entrance). It has nothing to do with the Drac affair that made headlines in 1995. As for the naturist area, it is said to be located at the southern end of the walk, which I admit I cut short, not wishing to have any unpleasant encounters.

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jluca
jluca

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A natural area well worth a visit, in the company of Drac. :-)
More info here: https://rnr-drac-jarrie.fr/rnr-isles-du-...

Please note: there is roadworks on the access road to the car park, which is currently signposted as closed, but you can get through – at least on a public holiday, you can get through.

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Fenneca
Fenneca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 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. You need to follow the signposts carefully, as there are lots of small paths branching off in all directions. Ideally, take your time to watch for birds flying by or, depending on the season, other animals and plant species. There’s no danger, as you don’t actually venture into the bed of the Drac. Do stay alert, though.

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk to a picturesque pond, followed by a network of paths leading to the River Drac (a GPS is almost essential if you want to follow the marked route), returning via a long embankment. A few families at the start and end of the walk; the section along the River Drac is unspoilt. A pleasant surprise

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mas421
mas421

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike through a nature reserve and along the bed of the River Drac, which is likely to be flooded when the Notre Dame de Commiers dam is released!
It is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to enter this area!
There are no trail markers other than the posts bearing the sign: NO ENTRY
and, what’s more, it’s a meeting place for local gay nudists...

The Drac, where children drowned on 4 December 1995!

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