Roche Colombe in the Saoû Forest region

Roche Colombe is the stern of the great ship formed by the Saoû Forest, offering a remarkable view of the Vercors, the Drôme and the interior of the forest.

⚠️ Between 1 July and 15 September, Prefectural Order DDT-SEF-2026-0176 of 4 June 2026 concerning temporary restrictions on access to the Saoû Forest and the Ambel plateau in the event of a fire risk , assessed on a daily basis. A map is published every evening (around 5.30 pm) for the following day.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.65 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,962 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,942 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,854 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,086 ft

Description of the walk

Parking is available in the large car park at a place called Le Clos.

(S/E) From the car park, head north towards the football pitch to reach the Travers junction, in the top right-hand corner of the car park.

(1) Take the road opposite heading north until you reach the 90° left-hand bend.

(2) Follow the road as it climbs up the hillside towards Roche Colombe. After the bench (view of the village), you’ll come to a bend.

(3) Leave the road and continue straight on towards the large rocky outcrop known as La Poupoune. The path leads to the foot of the spur. Climb up the rocky section, go round La Poupoune on the left and reach the top of the cliffs.

(4) Turn left again; the path gradually heads westwards. Climb through the beech forest, emerge from the woods and reach the first rocky summit. Continue along the ridgeline, pass a second rocky outcrop, then shortly afterwards reach the true summit at 886 m (marker, cairn and bench).

(5) Continue along the path – which is sometimes hard to make out – along the ridge through the beech forest. The descent becomes steeper. The path becomes steep and rocky before emerging at the Pas de l’Échelette (alt. 710 m).

(6) Cross the Pas de l’Échelette (rocky sections fitted with a metal ladder). The path heads left at the foot of the cliffs. Sometimes barely visible in the woods, it descends gently, skirting the Roche Colombe. Ignore all paths to the right and leave the forest. Continue along the wide track which passes just above a farm and reaches a junction.

(7) Continue left along the track and, at the next junction, head down to the right along the gently sloping, narrow path through the undergrowth. Further on, it turns left. Follow the track southwards (at the edge of the woods, with a view of La Poupoune) and keep heading in the same direction before emerging at the edge of the field, below the Ferme des Blaches.

(8) Turn right to go round the field. At the Les Blaches junction (elevation 457), carry straight on along the track and then the small road. It makes two sweeping bends, first to the left and then to the right, before reaching a water intake.

(9) Just before the water intake, take the path on the left. Continue straight on along the road until you reach the Les Travers crossroads (alt. 335 m).

(1) Walk past the football pitch and return to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,086 ft - Car park – Le Clos
  2. 1 : mi 0.05 - alt. 1,109 ft - Carrefour of the Circular Route – Les Travers
  3. 2 : mi 0.33 - alt. 1,325 ft - Turn left
  4. 3 : mi 0.65 - alt. 1,601 ft - Leave the road
  5. 4 : mi 1.19 - alt. 2,497 ft - Top of the cliffs
  6. 5 : mi 1.7 - alt. 2,854 ft - Summit at 886 m (marker, cairn and bench)
  7. 6 : mi 2.36 - alt. 2,306 ft - Pas de l’Échelette
  8. 7 : mi 3.22 - alt. 1,841 ft - On the hillside above an isolated house (farm)
  9. 8 : mi 4.46 - alt. 1,654 ft - Les Blaches
  10. 9 : mi 5.27 - alt. 1,142 ft - Water catchment
  11. S/E : mi 5.65 - alt. 1,086 ft - How to get to the starting point

Notes

Please note: there are tricky rocky sections and ridge walks. This route is reserved for experienced walkers and should not be attempted in wet or foggy weather. The wind can blow fiercely on the ridges.

It is strongly recommended that you take IGN map no. 3138OT with you. Bring plenty of water and food, and wear suitable clothing for walking. Walkers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency numbers: 18 or 112

Enquiries atthe Val de Drôme Tourist Office: 04 75 63 10 88

Hunting within the ENS:
- driven hunts between 1 September 24 and 12 January 25 on Tuesdays and Saturdays,
- information on the day’s hunting areas is displayed on signs at the site entrances and car park, at the eco-ranges’ office and at the Tourist Office,
- No individual hunting is permitted on the site.

Worth a visit

Traditions: the legend of Sainte-Colombe

According to legend, Colombe was a saint who lived in a cave in the rock formation to which she gave her name. She healed the locals using plants and flowers and lived in harmony with the animals around her. One day, whilst the villagers were working in the fields, an eagle came and carried off a baby sleeping under a tree, taking it to its nest not far from Colombe’s cave. The saint, who had the power to command animals, had no difficulty in rescuing the child. It is from this legend that the name of the rocky outcrop adjacent to Roche Colombe derives: La Poupoune (from the word ‘poupon’, meaning ‘child’).

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
la mede
la mede

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent landscape that’s definitely worth seeing.

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Kraftval
Kraftval

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a tough climb at first, but you’re well rewarded afterwards! Tip: the bench at the summit offers a lovely view of the plain to the west, but the descent down to the Pas de l’Echelette offers the best view (the syncline of the Saou massif to the east). Best done in dry weather, as the Pas de l’Echelette is more fun than tricky then.

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User 26988632

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is really enjoyable and the 360° view is definitely worth it.

We had snow all the way back, but the path remained easily accessible! It was pure bliss!

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bruno92160
bruno92160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, not long, but with a steep and steady climb to Roche Colombe and a perfectly marked descent. Beautiful 360° views given the position of this summit

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Fylippe
Fylippe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The return trip after the Echelette pass can be a bit tedious at times. But overall: a lovely little hike, which can be done in half a day if you don't dawdle too much.

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Kwiss07
Kwiss07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging climb at the start, but it's definitely worth it! Magnificent!
Thank you for suggesting this hike.

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BRUN Mireille
BRUN Mireille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, beautiful views

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