Himalayan footbridges of Monteynard

This is a hike that starts with a ferry crossing.
The objective is to take the two elegant bridges.
The first bridge crosses the Drac.
The second bridge crosses the Ebron.
Satisfactory markings.

Details

73182
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 406 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 400 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 695 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 484 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the Treffort pier (1).
The ferry crossing lasts fifteen to twenty minutes, and the ferry’s captain provides a commentary.

After disembarking in Mayres-Savel, head south-east along a path that then joins up with the D116A road.
Follow the road for a few hundred metres then after a turn take a path on the right (markings: Drac footbridge).
Soon after, the trail will turn into pleasant path. The bridge over the Drac will soon come into view.
Continue as far as the bridge and cross its 220 m length (2).
Once on the other side, continue on the path on the right.
This long winding path heads into the forest leading down a road near the village of Villarnet.
Head towards the village, but before reaching it, take a path left that quickly joins with another road above Villarnet.
Cross the road and take a long path through the forest with, the trees occasionally clear providing views to the north of Lake Monteynard Avignonet and picnic opportunities.
Lookout point on the Brion bridge and, shortly after, arrive on the 180 m long footbridge that crosses the Ebron. Reach the opposite shore from north by a path that meets up with a nice track.
Along the way you follow the lake shore.
Cross the beach car park.
Take a short stretch of road to bypass private property. In a turn off the road and while crossing a meadow, you will come across the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 485 m - Treffor pier - Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet
  2. 1 : km 3.47 - alt. 484 m - Mayres-Savel
  3. 2 : km 5.5 - alt. 556 m - Path to the footbridge
  4. 3 : km 6.29 - alt. 532 m - Gateway to the - Drac (rivière) - Drac Noir-Drac
  5. 4 : km 8.21 - alt. 661 m - Route
  6. 5 : km 8.85 - alt. 686 m - Road crossing
  7. 6 : km 10.88 - alt. 511 m - Gateway to - Ébron (torrent)
  8. 7 : km 11.97 - alt. 556 m - Route option
  9. 8 : km 13.92 - alt. 501 m - Taking the road
  10. S/E : km 15.3 - alt. 489 m - Treffor pier

Notes

Start the walk by taking the ferry, timing your crossing with the ferry timetable; it would be a shame to be stuck on the opposite bank.
From Treffort you can also head in the opposite direction, but do pay attention to the ferry timetable for the return journey.
There is also the option to leave from Mayres-Savel or any other location near a road.
Paying car park in Treffort.
Book your ferry crossing in advance, there is a fare for the crossing.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 193 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
TineDo
TineDo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice hike with two interesting footbridges over a lake with a beautiful turquoise green colour on a sunny day that wasn't too hot. We preferred to start by crossing by boat so we wouldn't be under pressure to arrive on time and miss it at the end of the route. A slightly strenuous climb at the start but doable if you take your time. After that, no real difficulties. Best done in dry weather. Very few people at this time of year and during the week. Very well marked, no need for a GPS app. Picnic tables and toilets along the route. Thank you for the advice to park as far away as possible in the car park at the boat departure point so that you can find your car at the end of the hike. This can be appreciated after the last part, which is long, uninteresting and uphill!

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jfperinel
jfperinel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note the boat departure times!
Avoid this route in rainy or very wet weather as there are many slippery sections!

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User 18081012

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. It is best to take the boat crossing in the morning and then take your time.

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Gilles38210
Gilles38210

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great walk
make sure you bring enough water
and take the boat back...

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marie the quere
marie the quere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes


Great hike starting from Savel, boat crossing
We met some trail runners from Sénépy
Great atmosphere
Thanks for the itinerary

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User 13379001

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike with a boat ride at the beginning.
Between the two footbridges, beautiful scenery, but it's steep!
The two footbridges are always a big challenge.
After the second footbridge, it's 2 km to the first car park... but there's still 1.5 km to go before you reach the starting point, which is quite long and uninteresting, in full sun...
If I had to do it again, I would park at the end of the car park between 7 and 8, walk 1.5 km to catch the boat in the morning... the end of the hike would be so much better!

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DAVID  jean luc
DAVID jean luc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Fantastic walk with breathtaking views of the different Vercors mountains, the Chartreuse and a panoramic area overlooking the lake.
Great for me! The picnic area between the two footbridges is short of tables due to the number of people.

DAVID Jean Luc

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Patricia Isere
Patricia Isere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice walk, with no particular difficulty. The footbridges are incredible and the water was a magnificent blue. Worth doing again. I recommend it if you want to spend a lovely day with the family. I'd advise you to take the boat at the beginning, so you don't have to worry about the return journey.

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Isa VH
Isa VH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great walk, beautiful panorama

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

I've decided to go on a rainy day, with snow crampons, to avoid the crowds. I think it's possible

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jlrobic
jlrobic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route should not be taken on a rainy day or if it has rained the previous few days. Danger of slipping. Slopes can be muddy.

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Dam’s
Dam’s
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

This route is over-crowded and the quality of the experience suffers as a result.
We took the boat from Treffort and followed the route clockwise. The interest of the hike is fairly limited in the section between Savel and the footbridge over the Drac, and even up to the highest point before the rocker on the Hebron side. The second part of the route is very pleasant, with a much more attractive landscape.
The footbridge over the Hebron is magnificent.

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Ti2l
Ti2l
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The route is not devoid of interest, but the richness of the scenery is fairly restrained... especially compared with other hikes in the upper reaches of the Vercors with wider, richer panoramas.

The highlights of this hike include the passage of two meadows and one or two viewpoints over the lake and the surrounding landscape.

However, particularly in hot weather, the last 2 km of the walk are quite exposed to the sun and are done along the road or in various car parks (which are very busy in August)...

In addition to the cost of the boat trip, you should allow €5 for parking (payable by credit card).

In conclusion, I'd recommend this walk in autumn or on a day that's not too hot, and outside the holiday period to take advantage of the low visitor numbers.

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virgule
virgule
• Edited:

A very pleasant tour out of season!
But the route needs to be adapted as boat crossings are not available at this time of year.

To be continued out of season. Thanks for the information.

I'm not sure that this kind of place, which is already very popular, needs to be advertised by youtubers (see message above).

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santiago2
santiago2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

no particular comments to make

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