Rocher Saint Michel in Orpierre

A beautiful, fairly shaded walk with plenty of lovely views. The 360° panorama at the summit is remarkable. Everything is very well marked and signposted. Some sections are very steep, especially on the descent.

Details

n°2635614

Creation:
06 Oct 2019

Last update:
09 Oct 2019

Last review:
04 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.48 km
Average duration: 3h 55
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 532 m
Descent: - 531 m
Highest point: 1,210 m
Lowest point: 677 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Baronnies, Dauphiné
District: Orpierre (05700)
Start/End: N 44.312689° / E 5.694652°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3239OT, 3339OT
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Description of the walk

The starting point is Orpierre. Take the D30 from Eygians between Laragne and Serres to reach it. Once in the village, head towards the campsite and park between the mini-market and the swimming pool.

(S/E) Continue south on the road and cross the campsite, continuing straight ahead on the^GR® 946.

(1) After about fifteen minutes' walk from the start, turn right, heading west, at the crossroads (left is the way back). Continue and pass the ruins of the Paturle farm.

(2) Just above the ruins of the Paturle farm, at a fork, turn right, heading southwest, staying on the^GR® (white and red markings). You will come to a forest path, which you follow for a few dozen metres.
Turn left onto a steep path that leads to a wider track where you leave the GR^®.

(3) Follow this track on the left, heading north-east, marked in yellow.

(4) At the orientation table (a beautiful viewpoint above Orpierre), turn right to reach the summit of Rocher de St-Michel in a few minutes.

(5) Enjoy the 360° view at the summit and descend to the orientation table.

(4) Head west down a steep slope (still marked in yellow) and turn right at the first intersection.

(6) Follow the signs for "Orpierre via the Plaine des Bessons".
The path leads to a wide forest track that takes you back to the junction mentioned above, just above the campsite.

(1) Return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 678 m - Car park at the Orpierre mini-market
1 : km 0.72 - alt. 723 m - Crossroads of the circular
2 : km 2.06 - alt. 877 m - Above the Paturle farm
3 : km 3.94 - alt. 1,066 m - End of the GR and start of the yellow markings
4 : km 5.51 - alt. 1,194 m - Belvedere
5 : km 5.61 - alt. 1,210 m - Rocher de St-Michel. Summit
6 : km 6.21 - alt. 986 m - Crossroads during the descent
S/E : km 8.48 - alt. 679 m - Car park at the Orpierre mini-market

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

roro1677

04 Aug 2025 at 11:11 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Following previous reviews, we decided to do the hike in the opposite direction to avoid falls on the descent, which resulted in a very steep 2 km climb, worse at the end with no respite, causing muscle soreness in the calves of an experienced hiker who had never experienced this before! Therefore, avoid in very hot weather or if the ground is slippery. The descent is longer but easier and more enjoyable. The 360° view from the summit is interesting.

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JulieFJ

07 Jul 2025 at 12:45 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Excellent signposting by the CCBD. Varied route, fairly shaded (provided you don't arrive at midday, of course).
Very pretty views of the surrounding area, especially the famous climbing cliffs of Orpierre.
There are a few steep sections on the descent, so walking sticks are a good idea.

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chabre05

11 Nov 2024 at 08:59 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful autumn colours and a superb view on arrival.
The descent to Orpierre is steep, so take care...

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antoine.reig

09 Sep 2024 at 10:54 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike on 25 August 2024.
I think it's better to do it in the other direction because the slope after the lookout point is steep and the stones roll underfoot. (Walking sticks are highly recommended.)
Beautiful 360° view from the Saint Michel rock viewpoint.
Don't hesitate to take a short detour to see the Beynaves clearing, a welcoming meadow for butterfly route, with explanatory panels.

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randonneur13001

05 Aug 2024 at 11:47 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike, I recommend doing it in reverse, passing through the plain at the start. For me, it took 2 hours and 10 minutes there and back, starting from the Vival car park and the municipal swimming pool, just before the entrance to the campsite.

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Droopy91

14 Jun 2024 at 08:04 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk that takes us from Orpierre to the top of the Saint Michel rock. Like some other hikers, we did the route in reverse, which is good advice because the climb (or descent if you do it in the indicated direction) is very steep and uneven (lots of small stones). Be careful though, as going in the opposite direction means you have to climb 500 metres in a short distance, so it's quite strenuous. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a superb 360° panorama that is really worth the effort. If you plan to have a picnic, we recommend starting the descent to find a spot in the shade, as it is very sunny at the top.
The return trip is not particularly difficult, apart from a few steep sections, but these are short. However, you will be exposed to the sun for long periods and, even in June, it was very hot, so a hat, sun cream and water are essential.
For your four-legged friends, bring water with you as there are no streams. On your return to Orpierre, you can take them to cool off in the Céans, which is easily accessible via a small path by the bridge.

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1950bba

21 Aug 2023 at 10:29 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful view from the summit.
As this walk takes place on north-facing slopes and is often shaded, it has the advantage of being feasible even in hot weather.
It's a shame that the descent between points 4 and 6, which is steep and stony ("rolling"), is very unpleasant, at least for old legs.
I regretted not doing the route in the other direction, as alor06 did: a bit of a strenuous effort on the way there, but then a very comfortable return.

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alor06

20 Jun 2023 at 09:10 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike with beautiful views. I preferred to do it in the opposite direction so that I could tackle the steep slope on the way up, especially as it is well shaded.

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cb1951

07 Apr 2021 at 10:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk at the start of the season. Good route and beautiful views at the summit. Recommended for getting back into shape.

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patembrun

03 Apr 2021 at 18:10 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting hike with beautiful views of Orpierre.

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phidet

25 Sep 2020 at 20:56 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, beautiful scenery. Delicate passages between 2 and 3 (vertigo) and difficult passages between 4 and 6 (steep slopes, loose rocks). Walking sticks are often insufficient.

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JM04

10 Aug 2020 at 12:50 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Short hike with sufficient elevation gain, beautiful views of ORPIERRES and the surrounding area.
Be careful on the last part, which is very steep and requires good physical condition, and the return trip, which can be tricky. Walking sticks are recommended.

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Author

dauphinois
36 Walks

Visorando member

District: Embrun (05200)

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