Tour of Pélafol Castle

The stronghold of the bishops of Valence, whose rights to this castle were confirmed in 1238 by the German emperors, Pellafol has always had the same lords as Barbières, although it had a different suzerain. This 8.5 km circuit takes you around the castle in Barbières, via the Col de la Sambie.

Details

30585570
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 287 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 288 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 669 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 412 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the hikers' car park at the southern end of the village.

(S/E) Turn right onto the tarmac road and, at the bend, turn left onto Chemin de la Dame. Continue straight ahead at the fork, following the green arrows with the little figure on them. Continue straight ahead until you reach a tarmac road.

(1) Follow it to the left and, at its end, continue along the path to reach the Col de la Sambie.

(2) Continue along the same path and, at a fork, turn right towards a new fork. "Along the way: a drinking trough, which you should go around on the left so as not to step in the water."

(3) Turn left, heading south-west then north, and join the small road (Chemin de Barlatier).

(4) Turn left onto this road, then left again onto Chemin des Chapons, passing by a burnt tree.

(5) At the crossroads, go straight ahead to pass close to the stacked logs and join Chemin des Artailles. Follow it to the left until you reach the houses in Les Blaches.

(6) After the houses, continue straight ahead, cross a road and, after a good kilometre, you will reach Impasse de Barbières.

(7) Continue straight ahead until you reach the bend in the road.

(8) Take the grassy path opposite until you reach the crossroads. Turn left, heading south towards Barbières, and join the road below the cemetery.

(9) Go down this street called Côte Bellevue and continue along Grande Rue (D101) to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 432 m - Hiker car park, south exit of the village - Barberolle (Rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.42 - alt. 524 m - Tarmac road
  3. 2 : km 2.29 - alt. 667 m - Col de la Sambie
  4. 3 : km 3.45 - alt. 596 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 4.26 - alt. 480 m - Chemin de Barlatier
  6. 5 : km 4.74 - alt. 464 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.76 - alt. 427 m - Les Blaches
  8. 7 : km 6.29 - alt. 443 m - Impasse de Barbières
  9. 8 : km 6.61 - alt. 433 m - Grassy path
  10. 9 : km 7.41 - alt. 447 m - Côte Bellevue road
  11. S/E : km 8.22 - alt. 432 m - Hiker car park, south exit of the village

Worth a visit

You can also walk around the village.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 27326879

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk. All the elevation gain is at the start. Beautiful views of the Ardèche mountains. You can make out Mont Gerbier des Joncs and Mont Mézenc.

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krisV
krisV

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy and very pleasant hike

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andreevalence
andreevalence

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

no difficulties, pleasant outing for half a day

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Vil Coyote
Vil Coyote

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Short, easy hike with a simple, clear route. Moderate interest, ideal for exploring the foothills of the Vercors.

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gb26100
gb26100

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We met a few hikers on this easy hike with lovely views.

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24bis
24bis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike around the ruined castle of Barbières. Beautiful view of the Vercors and the valley in good weather. Avoid in hot weather as much of the route is exposed.
Just one small downside: the hostile welcome from the locals and their dogs. We were violently attacked by a couple of farmers who don't tolerate people walking past their property with dogs.

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Chris261
Chris261

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely hike completed with a small group of five people at a leisurely pace in 2½ hours.

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samsonnet26
samsonnet26
• Edited:

Yes, hence the name of the castle tour. It is not indicated that the route goes to the castle. However, it is possible to visit the site by making a round trip, which will add 2 or 3 km to your route. Thank you very much for enjoying this hike.

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chick26
chick26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

we didn't meet anyone and completed this hike in 2½ hours.
the title is misleading; we only saw the castle ruins from a great distance

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Ctram
Ctram

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 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 pleasant 3-hour walk in dry autumn weather. A mix of stony paths, dirt tracks and a little tarmac. Beautiful views of the plain through the "V" of Barbieres

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touareg7122
touareg7122

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

we took this route partly because we wanted to attack the castle from behind to avoid the zigzagging slope. Thank you

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is a very pleasant hike, with views of the imposing limestone barrier of the Monts du Matin, easy paths, unobstructed views and a few sections through the forest.

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Hepatic
Hepatic

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Avoid this hike in hot weather. The initial climb is not shaded. After the pass, the path is very pleasant. A good short afternoon hike

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mimouche
mimouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Avoid hiking in hot weather, as there is little shade on the climb to the pass. Keep an eye on the woodpiles so you don't get lost! A pleasant little afternoon hike.

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B SANCHEZ
B SANCHEZ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

pleasant half-day hike with beautiful views

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