Béaliaire trail and Grande circular via Riverand

Circular through the Ay valley along the river, passing through the vineyards on the plateau and then descending through the undergrowth on the Rhône valley side via the Chemin des Roches. Varied landscapes, pretty views of different valleys and very little tarmac.

Details

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Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 340 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 337 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 332 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 130 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Near the public school and sports complex in Sarrans, park at the start of the Béalières trail.

(S/E) Follow the Ay, cross the bridge and you will soon come to a T-junction.

(1) Turn left and walk along the Ay and the canal wall, continuing along the wall until you reach the potholes, hollows in the rocks created by the water-filled current.

(2) Take the steep climb on the right to reach a cross. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Ay valley from here.

(3) Continue climbing and then follow a nearly horizontal path through the vineyards. Turn right onto a road and you will soon come to a crossroads with several directions.

(4) Ignore thefirst path protected by a barrier and take thesecond path on the left. Walk alongside the vineyards again until you reach the edge of Bois Chiés.
Enter the woods and, following a path that descends and then climbs, reach the entrance to Bois des Arrents at a stream that is often dry.

(5) Continue slightly uphill, then leave the woods and turn left onto the path running alongside the vineyards. You will reach a crossroads.

(6) Take the path on the left through the vineyards and stay on the main path until you reach the top of the vineyards.

(7) Descend to rejoin the path, make a wide turn to the right and continue downhill, heading south, to reach the hamlet of Riverand.

(8) Cross it and then take the Sentier des Roches path downhill to the left. At the road, turn right and then take a path on the left, climbing slightly alongside a vineyard to return to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park at the Sentier des Béalières (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 133 m - Parking at the Béalières trailhead. - Ay (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 132 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.21 - alt. 152 m - Mini waterfall
  4. 3 : km 2.11 - alt. 321 m - Crossroads with several directions
  5. 4 : km 3.61 - alt. 262 m - Ru. Close to the - Cance (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 4.1 - alt. 293 m - Fork in the path
  7. 6 : km 4.64 - alt. 320 m - Top of the vineyards
  8. 7 : km 6.07 - alt. 229 m - Riverand
  9. S/E : km 7.26 - alt. 133 m - Parking at the Béalières trailhead.

Notes

Description given in the direction of ascent along the Ay river and descent via the Chemin des Roches.
Hiking in the opposite direction is not recommended. It is possible, but it is easier to get lost on the descent.
Classified as moderate due to the steep but passable climb up the Ay river.
IGN map recommended as some trailheads are difficult to see, little known and rarely used.

Worth a visit

(3) During the climb from the river, take a short detour to the cross for a magnificent view of the Ay valley.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Seve19
Seve19

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb above the river is steep but it can be done; you need to have good footwear.

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Emmanuel26
Emmanuel26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike offering a variety of landscapes and paths, with a magnificent climb above the river (a little challenging) and a beautiful view of the Rhône at the end. Be careful, the path that begins the descent is very rough and prone to slipping. I would happily do this hike again.

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brilyd
brilyd

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, beautiful views of the valley and the Alps, GPS required to follow the route.

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Granola
Granola

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this very enjoyable short hike. The first climb after following the river is indeed quite steep and challenging. The trails and landscapes are superb and varied (very little road).
However, we saw practically no signposts, so a good sense of direction or a GPS is essential.

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Solange L
Solange L

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking with varied landscapes
Be aware of the elevation change at the start of the walk

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Pascal07300
Pascal07300
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
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, easy to follow with a satnav.
The initial climb is (very) steep and quite rugged.
Ultimately, there are lots of lovely little paths right next to Sarras.
We all loved it (there were seven of us).

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tratra071
tratra071

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, the climb to the cross is difficult, but otherwise a very beautiful route.

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gb26100
gb26100

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with varied landscapes and often challenging trails. Good footwear, walking poles and a GPS are essential.

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