Discover the Roybon plateau

A nice little walk that allows you to get some fresh air without getting your shoes muddy when the paths are very muddy, as it takes place almost exclusively on small asphalt roads. No difficulty, the elevation gain is very gentle and gradual.

Details

166077
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 113 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 114 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 611 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 496 m

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point, leave the village of Roybon via the Monfalcon/Hauterives road (D20). Shortly after leaving the village, you will cross a bridge over the Galaure. Immediately turn right onto the small road leading to the cemetery. Park as soon as you can on the wide hard shoulder on the left (there is plenty of space).

(S/E) To start your walk, leave the cemetery path, take the abandoned slip road opposite and head off to the right (west). You will walk about 100m along the D20, so be careful as cars drive quite fast.

(1) Ignore the first road on the right (this will be your return route) and take the next one on the right.

(2) It climbs gently; this is the old tram line that linked Lyon to Saint-Marcelin. Follow it, with several bends to the right and left, until you reach the Chambarans military camp.

(3) You will then have completed just under half of the route. In front of the camp, note the monument erected in memory of the Chambarans resistance fighters. From your arrival point, turn right (east). Walk for about 1 km on a road that is fairly easy for cars to drive on but where traffic is rare. You will come out onto the D156, which you take to the right (south-east).

(4) Leave it after about 50 metres, turning left (north-east). At the end of the straight road, continue along the small road that veers to the right and leads you to the hamlet of Croix Frère Jacques.

(5) Then turn right (south-east) onto a gravel road. Continue for a while until you are back on tarmac and reach a T-junction.

(6) Turn left this time, then take the first right (Route du Vatilier). You will pass a few farms.

(7) Turn left onto the farm track (sign).

(8) Cross the D156 (be careful, this is in the middle of a bend and visibility is poor).
From the start, you have either climbed or walked on flat ground. In no time at all, you will be back down again! You will return to the D20.

(1) Turn left and you will see your vehicle, which you will return to (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 498 m - Cemetery road
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 497 m - Fork on the D20, near the - Galaure (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 0.53 - alt. 500 m - Start of the old tram line
  4. 3 : km 4.41 - alt. 569 m - Chambarans military camp
  5. 4 : km 5.68 - alt. 589 m - Turn left
  6. 5 : km 6.63 - alt. 602 m - The Brother Jacques Cross
  7. 6 : km 8.06 - alt. 611 m - T-junction
  8. 7 : km 8.85 - alt. 592 m - Farm trail
  9. 8 : km 9.13 - alt. 570 m - South Vatiler hill
  10. S/E : km 9.92 - alt. 497 m - Cemetery road

Notes

No water sources along the way.
Bar-restaurant near the military camp (3) (halfway).
In my opinion, unless there are special circumstances, walking sticks are not necessary.

Worth a visit

The old tram line (with sections on characteristic quadrilateral-shaped embankments): Tram
Monument in memory of the Chambarans resistance fighters.
Roybon, its smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty, its pebble church, its narrow streets.
Roybon Church
Roybon heritage

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
atraver
atraver

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

stunning views of the Vercors, Belledonne and Chartreuse mountain ranges

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DAVID  jean luc
DAVID jean luc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike on a beautiful day. Magnificent views once you reach the plateaus (Vercors, Chartreuse, Beldone, Grand Vemont, etc.) with Roybon at your feet.

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Vercor38
Vercor38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike on Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Many of the paved roads and trails (PR) were partially blocked by the military for a shooting exercise from the CHAMBARAN camp
So we turned back. Not ideal for a group of more than four people, with traffic to contend with. The locals, knowing that there isn't much traffic, drive fast! I don't recommend it! Sorry!

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59chris38
59chris38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hike done this Christmas morning. As described, it allows you to get some fresh air and enjoy the sun without getting your shoes muddy. Peaceful.
Thank you for this route.

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eynard
eynard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

lots of tar, which is a shame, but magnificent views

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Apart from points 5 to 7, the landscape is of no interest.

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Michou Christou
Michou Christou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A bit too much driving

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ALTMANYOSSEF
ALTMANYOSSEF

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A ballad for winter.

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randonneur38
randonneur38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very well described, you can't go wrong. We came across some deer and I would say avoid it when the sun is strong. Thank you, very nice.

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fredobaroud
fredobaroud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Indeed, a nice little hike designed to avoid muddy paths after a rainy day. The route is mainly on small tarmac roads with very little traffic. We saw birds of prey, grey herons and white herons near the ponds in the middle of fields with cows and horses. Good description, no particular difficulties.

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collines26
collines26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hike chosen as it was written for paved paths to avoid mud. Nice route, follow the route carefully, as there are many markings that do not correspond to this route. The circular route takes you along quiet, little-used roads through beautiful, peaceful green countryside. If you decide to stop for a picnic, there's a very pleasant spot: climb up to the Reynaud meadow (between 5 and 6) for a magnificent view of the Vercors, far from the road. A very nice little route, perfect for getting back into shape.

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nathH
nathH

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

far too much tar.

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Dany MS
Dany MS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Indeed, as specified, you walk on tarmac. The tramway suggests that you will see traces of the tram tracks. This is not the case. The only remnants of this old track are two very pretty houses that resemble old stations. The Vercors... you can see it from afar, from very far away. For me, this hike is not particularly interesting. It's worth doing if you want to go for a walk to keep fit and if it has rained in the previous days. The tramway seems to continue on a dirt track after the Chambarrans camp: something to explore next time.

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