Vatilieu and Art in the Wind

A family walk surrounded by works of art. With the added bonus of a splendid view of the Vercors.

Details

112245
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 125 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 124 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 701 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 575 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Dauphiné
  • ⚐ District: Vatilieu (38470)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.255994° / E 5.410764°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3134SB, 3233SB, 3235OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the church in Vatilieu.

(S/E) Head north-east up the road and quickly leave it to take a small tarmac road on the left (signposted "La Croix du Pilon - 1 km"). Pass the Source des Gagères on your left.

(1) Ignore several paths on the right and left. Pass the works of art displayed along the path. You will reach a tarmac road at the Croix du Plâtre crossroads.

(2) Take the road to the right and quickly leave it to take another path on the right that climbs into the forest and runs roughly parallel to the previous path. You will reach a fork.

(3) Continue along the main path to the left. After the statue of a bird, take the second path on the left (there is a yellow cross on a tree warning you not to continue straight ahead). When you reach the top of the hill, continue walking among the many works of art, enjoying the splendid view of the Vercors.
On the ridge, you'll be glad you brought a snack and can take a nice break.
On the descent, ignore all the paths coming from the left and right and continue straight ahead.
When you reach the cemetery, don't linger, but descend to the right towards the village to return to the starting point (S/E).

The 1.5-hour time estimate does not include the time you will spend admiring the artwork.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 576 m - Vatilieu Church
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 580 m - Source des Gagères
  3. 2 : km 2.06 - alt. 622 m - Carrefour de la Croix du Plâtre, on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 661 m - At the fork, take the left branch.
  5. S/E : km 4.48 - alt. 577 m - Vatilieu Church

Notes

No special equipment is required, except for the usual water, good shoes, rain gear and time to admire the artwork and nature.
As with any circuit, you can walk in either direction. The decision to walk this route clockwise is guided, on the one hand, by the desire to climb the hill in the middle of the walk (otherwise you'll be climbing straight away). On the other hand, it's so that you can save the panoramic view of the mountains and the most beautiful works for the end of the walk.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 65 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
papybardoux
papybardoux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with works of art to admire along the way...

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Gîte Auclairdusoleil
Gîte Auclairdusoleil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, the children enjoyed it.

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Christine38160
Christine38160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular walk with views of the Vercors, punctuated by sculptures.

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ppcab
ppcab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route from the ridge is breathtaking and magnificent, with a superb view of the Vercors.
The return downhill is less exciting but very pleasant.
Thanks to the hiker who made this walk

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afaurie
afaurie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

sentier des statues
I'll do the route the other way round with my group as the climb after the pass is a bit steep.

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GFrando38
GFrando38

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The route is busier and looks more interesting the other way round.

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François Ta
François Ta

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Not recommended for very young children.

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Fyly
Fyly

It's a very easy walk (a short climb in the direction suggested here) and there are some nice works to admire or look at...and if the sculptures aren't enough, there's always the scenery: belledonne, Vercors, chartreuse, chambarrans...

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JPB73
JPB73

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Easy, family-friendly hike in lovely sunshine ☀️, great views of the mountains as you cross the ridge 👍.
It seems that the topo takes the route the wrong way round compared with the signposts, but that's no particular problem...

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rey alain
rey alain

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful morning in bright sunshine.
We took our time contemplating these sculptures and beautiful landscapes
with snow-capped mountains.
Picnic facilities on the way.

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NicoRaph
NicoRaph

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great family outing.
It climbs up in the middle of the walk.
Note that the path of the hike is the opposite of the one on site: so you meet more people in the opposite direction.

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LesLOUIS
LesLOUIS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a lovely walk with a magnificent panoramic view of the Vercors at the end. Lots of nice works of art. We did this walk on a Friday at 6.00 pm and we were kings of the world!

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ght17
ght17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk for a family, even with young children. Beautiful views.

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garion
garion

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk (more than a hike) to discover the works of art on display and the beauty of the view of the Vercors.

Please note: the ND de Rosier site is nearby.

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les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely hike; the art is great! A bit difficult on the two big descents but a lovely afternoon.
thanks to visorandonneur

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