On the heights of Saint-Benoît

This is a very beautiful hike, especially after a few days of rain, which feeds the many streams.
The first part up to (1) is not very steep but quite long, so it is best to be in good shape.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 529 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 529 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 682 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 210 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park at the boules pitch on the right before the cemetery.

(S/E) Head towards the cemetery and go to the cross. Then turn left. After 100 m, take the marked path on the right. From there, follow this path, which climbs steadily for 3.5 km and leads to the highest point (altitude 677).

(1) Turn left. The path soon descends. Continue until you see the sign for the viewpoint. There, climb up to the right for about 100 m to reach the promontory.

(2) From here, there is a beautiful view of the Alps in the background and the lakes of Conzieu.
Retrace your steps and descend to the right towards Grange d'Orme. Keep following the marked path.

(3) Now leave the marked path that descends to the left and continue straight ahead. You will soon find yourself in an open area, and to the west you can see the meanders of the Rhône and the suspension bridge at the port of Groslée.
Further on, if you turn around, you can even see the Sure and the Vercors massif.

(4) At a red EDF marker, take the descent to the left until you reach the paved road. Continue downhill to the left, make two hairpin turns, then follow a meadow on your left. Continue to the next turn.

(5) Leave the road and take the path on the left into the forest. You will soon come to a fork. Keep left.
Follow this pleasant forest path along a stream. Continue in the same south-south-east direction. Cross a stream and continue until you come to a wider path. On your left is a green gate.

(6) Turn right. Quickly cross another stream, then turn left. After another 100 metres, you will come to a small paved road where you will find the signposts again.

(7) Turn right. Descend to the hamlet of Meunier. Walk along the houses, then turn left. Join the D10a and follow it to the left until you reach the wash house.

(8) Turn left to cross the hamlet of Sous Roche, then return to the D10a and follow it to the left until you reach the recycling bins.

(9) Take the gravel path on the left. Follow it until you reach the first houses in Saint-Benoît, where you will find yourself back on a paved road.

(10) At the cross, turn left. Continue to the next cross, then turn right and descend to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 210 m - Boules parking
  2. 1 : km 4 - alt. 677 m - Highest point
  3. 2 : km 4.67 - alt. 652 m - Viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 6.57 - alt. 546 m - Grange d'Orme
  5. 4 : km 8.31 - alt. 568 m - Red EDF marker
  6. 5 : km 9.62 - alt. 386 m - Fork to the left
  7. 6 : km 11.03 - alt. 310 m - Green barrier, on the right
  8. 7 : km 11.3 - alt. 303 m - Tarmac road on the right
  9. 8 : km 12.35 - alt. 232 m - Wash house - Fork in the road
  10. 9 : km 12.78 - alt. 224 m - Recycling bins
  11. 10 : km 13.65 - alt. 230 m - Cross
  12. S/E : km 14.31 - alt. 210 m - Boules parking

Notes

This hike follows paths that are sometimes unmarked.
Until (3), there are yellow markings.
Between (3) and (7), there are no markings, so follow the map or the route on your GPS carefully. I have indicated where you will need to cross streams, but if the weather is dry, you will barely be able to see them.
From (7) to the finish, simply follow the yellow markings.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
René01
René01

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A slight feeling of disappointment.
Not because of the continuous climb at the start of the route, which lasts about an hour and a half, but because of the lack of views.
Apart from the viewpoint at point 2, there isn't much to see given the vegetation at this time of year, but perhaps it's the same in winter..
And then there are far too many sections on stony paths (forest roads) which are really hard going and quickly tire you out.
Only the section in the woods between points 5 and 6 is pleasant.
We didn't see a red EDF marker at point 4 and there was a small problem with the route just before point 6, but it was easy to find our way thanks to the app's GPS.
Positive point: Very quiet route with very few people. We only came across three people.

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Giuetalban
Giuetalban

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, but be prepared for a 4 km climb right from the start. It's not an easy hike. The rest of the trail is easier. We enjoyed it. Great time, thank you.

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vivi01
vivi01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike. Didn't meet anyone except for two hunters who weren't hunting. No major difficulties.

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perdro
perdro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, the weather was nice but cold, and there were beautiful waterfalls at the end of the trail

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vagabond71
vagabond71

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, sunny day. Stunning views of the snow-capped Alps and the Vercors massif.
Beautiful autumn landscape and a stunning waterfall with the sun reflecting off it. Great photo opportunities.
I used my phone to plan the hike.
I did the trail during the week and would recommend it.

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Gloug’
Gloug’

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Good description. I used the GPS track.
The walk started in foggy conditions but ended in beautiful sunshine. The view of the Alps is superb. The climb at the start is enjoyable, and the waterfall at the end is a pleasant bonus. There were hunters at the end of the route.
I recommend this route.

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JAMBO74
JAMBO74
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The climb is steady, and the view from the top is magnificent; however, I find that there is too much forest for the total length of the hike. The highlight is that it is cool in hot weather; there was no water in June, which is perhaps the other advantage of this hike, so I would do it again

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Yves GIUNCHI
Yves GIUNCHI

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy hike with very few visitors

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souchon maryse
souchon maryse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike completed today, 18/10/2022. Beautiful weather (25°C). The first 3.5 km climb was very good, a little long. The rest was in the woods, with dry streams and a waterfall. I had the app on my phone and the route on paper, which was very good. Thank you for this hike (5½ hours including breaks)

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Floram
Floram
• Edited:

Since 16 July, a municipal by-law has prohibited access to all paths on St Benoît mountain due to the risk of fire.

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Floram
Floram

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route and very beautiful landscapes!

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BERNARD GIROUD
BERNARD GIROUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike is recommended on hot days as part of the route is shaded.
However, I'm not so sure about the view of the Grande Sure
Best regards
Bernard Giroud

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ChrisBlabla
ChrisBlabla

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good route. No difficulty finding your way, and in any case we had a GPS (with the Iphigenie app). Nice climb, beautiful viewpoint, lovely open crossing after Grange d'Orme, and luckily only a little bit of tarmac towards the end of the route...We (70 years old) took 5 hours and 15 minutes with about 35 minutes for a picnic stop. Thank you!

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claudeBo
claudeBo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very beautiful hike with stunning views, especially from the lookout point. That said, it is quite a physically demanding route due to the elevation gain. The path uphill is often strewn with loose rocks, which makes progress difficult. The paths are very wide and clear, except for the trail that runs alongside the stream in the final section, which was dry on Sunday after almost three weeks without rain. I didn't encounter any hikers (I had nature all to myself!). In mid-March, nature is beginning to come to life. which was dry on Sunday after almost three weeks without rain. I didn't meet any other hikers (I had the whole of nature to myself!). In mid-March, nature is beginning to wake up and I was able to see the yellow of the wild dogwoods, the blue of the two-leaved squills and the dog's teeth. Magnificent!
I recommend this hike, which is well described on visiorando. Note: my Garmin pedometer showed almost 16 km when I arrived, and I did it in 4.5 hours with a snack break at the viewpoint.

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Pariji
Pariji

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful hike! Thank you so much for the excellent instructions. It was my first time visiting St Benoit, and the panorama was splendid. With yesterday's beautiful sunshine, the view of the Alps was simply marvellous!
the first part is a bit long, but it's a gentle climb. And the return trip is very peaceful, in the middle of the forest, alongside a small stream, not to mention the waterfalls, which are abundant at the moment. It took me 4 hours instead of the 5 hours indicated. Enjoy your hike!

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