Hiking - Chapelle Saint Sabin - Véranne No. 1
Chapelle Saint Sabin
The current chapel, a place of pilgrimage, was built in the 17th century.
The saint was invoked for a successful silkworm harvest, and people would gather St. Sabin's herb, or Alpine lady's mantle, to protect their livestock.
A stone enclosure, built with stones from the local scree slopes (chirats), dates from between 2500 and 500 BC.
The hike takes you to the Chapelle de St Sabin on its promontory, which offers a magnificent view.
From the Drevet car park, go up into the village centre, turn left towards Colombier until you reach la Serve, then turn right onto the road to Cubusson as far as la Grange before taking the path on the left through a cherry orchard. Continue straight on, then turn right, going around the Crêt de la Camière ridge to Croix de la Selle.
Take the forest track towards Michodon as far as la Ligue, turn left towards St Sabin, then climb up to the Chapelle de St Sabin. At an altitude of 1120 metres on the scree slopes (chirats), the chapel was built in 1683 as a place of worship. People came here to pray to St Sabin to protect their livestock and to gather bouquets of lady's mantle. You will enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Ternay dam, the Ardèche and Vivarais regions, part of the Rhône valley and the Alps.
Leave the chapel heading southwest (brown and white trail markers) and when you reach the forest track, head steeply downhill to the left towards Buet. Above the village, go left towards Choron for 200 m, then turn right until you come to a forest track. Take this track to the left to go around the water catchment area, turn right for 150 m and then head down to the left towards Plode.
On arriving in Plode, turn right towards Varizière, carefully cross the D34 road and continue straight ahead. At the Sabot house, turn left towards Nurieux. As you leave the hamlet, turn left towards Loye, continue straight on, cross the stream and turn left to return to Véranne.
⚠️ Warning: Busy road, be careful.
Everyone is responsible for their own safety. Therefore, you hike at your own risk. Stay on the waymarked trails to protect fragile environments.
General recommendations:
- Check the weather forecast before you leave
- Some routes cross busy roads: Be careful
- Keep dogs on a lead
- Do not light fires
- Take your rubbish home with you
- Enjoy the flowers, but do not pick them.
- Tick bites can cause serious illnesses. Prevention: wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, use insect repellent, check your body on your return, remove ticks using a tick remover tool without applying any substance to them, and consult a doctor in case of redness, flu-like symptoms, or if you are in an at-risk group.
- For the emergency services, dial 18 or 112.