Tour of the cathedral from Oncieu

A very pretty, shaded route that follows the valley carved out by the Ruisseau du Buinand stream, then goes around the summit of La Cathédrale via Résinand to La Croix d'Évosges, with a magnificent view of the circular village of Oncieu.
Descent to Oncieu via the Facteur route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 433 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 431 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 759 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 364 m

Description of the walk

The route is marked in places with yellow lines.
Signage is provided in two ways: either with new posts and directional signs, or with the old posts marking the routes.
Park near the church.

(S/E) Turn left onto Rue Principale, go around the church and turn onto the first path that descends to the right towards Ruisseau la Mandorne.

(1) Cross the stream and climb up opposite, heading north. Pass under a power line and continue towards Moment.

(2) Continue along the road until you reach a ford.

(3) Cross the stream at the ford. If this is not possible, there is a small bridge a little before that allows you to reach the path. Stay on the meadow.
From this point onwards, we recommend using GPS until you reach the road at the foot of Résinand. You will sometimes need to cross the stream at the ford. First head south-east, keeping close to the stream.

(4) Turn north. The climb is quite steep and sometimes, in heavy rain, there may be water running down the slope. You will arrive at the D34.

(5) Go down this road, then leave it at the first path that goes up to the left to go around the cathedral. Pass under a power line and continue to the Pont des Îles bridge near the Étang Buinand pond.

(6) Turn right to climb the D402 to the Col d'Évosges:
You can continue on to the cross, which offers a breathtaking view of the village of Oncieu and its surroundings.

(7) Continue along the road downhill until you reach a hairpin bend, where you will see the sign for the Chemin du Facteur. Please note that the path is quite steep as it cuts across the bends in the road. Walking sticks are recommended.

(8) Cross the road and take the path opposite, which continues to wind downhill until you reach a path on the right.

(9) Take this path down to the road.

(10) Follow the road back to Oncieu. Turn left onto the D34, then right onto Rue Principale until you reach the church car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 460 m - Church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 364 m - Ford
  3. 2 : km 2.25 - alt. 405 m - Place called Moment
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 410 m - Moment ford on the - Mandorne (ruisseau) - Affluent de l'Albarine
  5. 4 : km 3.05 - alt. 429 m - Fork in the road heading due north
  6. 5 : km 3.96 - alt. 617 m - D34
  7. 6 : km 6.76 - alt. 730 m - Pont des Îles
  8. 7 : km 7.25 - alt. 759 m - Col d'Évosges (758m)
  9. 8 : km 8.22 - alt. 604 m - D102
  10. 9 : km 9.44 - alt. 563 m - Crossroads
  11. 10 : km 9.85 - alt. 488 m - Route
  12. S/E : km 10.39 - alt. 460 m - Church car park

Notes

A GPS with a pre-recorded route is required (recommended).
Bring good walking shoes, walking sticks and water bottles.

Worth a visit

Visit the church in Oncieu during its opening hours.
Refreshments available at the inn opposite.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 26702765
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Crossed two streams twice: an awesome experience, without getting our feet wet.
From milestone 9 to the end, there is no shade, so I suggest reversing the route if you start in the morning and finish in the afternoon with the sun in the sky.
The Oncieu inn: I recommend it, at least for a refreshing Coke after the walk

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Bernard Mesnil
Bernard Mesnil

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The village of Oncieu is simply magical.
We would love a café where we could taste the wine produced in the area.

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Jean Claude R1.
Jean Claude R1.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Follow the path carefully at the fords.

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Kristo×Coco
Kristo×Coco

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, with a steep climb once you have crossed the stream!
Between points 3 and 4, take care in wet weather, as you will need to cross the stream, which is fast-flowing (don't be afraid to get your feet wet )!
The rest of the walk is fairly easy, so all that's left to do is admire the Col d'Evosges and its cross! (#madamevestebleue )

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bernard_czt
bernard_czt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in early June, doing the route in reverse.
It's best to set off around 10:30 a.m. so you can eat at the picnic area by the lake! (But there's not much shade.)
Bring shoes with good grip as there are some wet, slippery sections and rocks.
Very beautiful views!
The Auberge d'Oncieu is highly recommended!
Thank you.

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blanc michel
blanc michel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A bit tough at the start and after the village, but when you get to the lake or the cross, it's a feast for the eyes. A beautiful hike.

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myriam.b
myriam.b

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful place alternating between shade and panoramic views. Difficult if there is too much rain. Poorly signposted route. We had to turn around and get back on the route via the road (which was not very busy).

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mfcavagna@gmail.com
mfcavagna@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaded route except on the final descent
Avoid during heatwaves
Best enjoyed when there is no foliage and a little water, to take in the view of the cathedral and waterfall

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