The Canyon des Gueulards et Gorges d’Omblèze route and the Omblèze–Léoncel GTV hiking stage pass through Le Chaffal. A marked hike also starts here; its route details and the ratings of other tours help you assess the loop hike and the traverse. A GTV mountain-biking stage also passes through Le Chaffal. When planning, you can clearly distinguish between these different types of route.

Hiking Routes by Length and Profile

The Canyon des Gueulards et Gorges d’Omblèze route is a moderate 9.2-kilometre loop hike. It includes 541 metres of ascent and 551 metres of descent. The specific demands of the route are also important to consider: the trail through the canyon has technical sections that must be negotiated. Take this into account alongside the distance and elevation gain when choosing your route.

The Omblèze–Léoncel GTV hiking stage also passes through Le Chaffal, but is designated as a traverse. It is 13.9 kilometres long, with 805 metres of ascent and 536 metres of descent. Along the stage, the vegetation changes from Mediterranean species such as boxwood and thyme to oak and beech forests more typical of areas farther north. In addition to the longer route format, this change also offers a distinct glimpse of the landscape.

Le Pescher du Bas is another hiking option: the marked route starts in Le Chaffal and follows the green-and-yellow trail markings of the Vercors Regional Natural Park. The 13.6-kilometre hike has 470 metres of elevation gain and a stated duration of four hours and 24 minutes; it is rated difficult. The route passes through meadows and woodland. From Pescher du Haut, the view stretches across the Gorges d’Omblèze.

In terms of distance, Le Pescher du Bas and the GTV hiking stage are close, at 13.6 and 13.9 kilometres respectively. However, the routes differ in the way they are described: Le Pescher is a hike rated difficult with a stated duration, while the GTV is a traverse with ascent and descent figures listed separately. At 9.2 kilometres, the canyon route offers a shorter point of comparison, with its loop format and moderate rating.

For a different type of activity, the Beaufort-sur-Gervanne–Léoncel GTV mountain-biking stage passes through Le Chaffal. It is distinct from the Omblèze–Léoncel GTV hiking stage: both end in Léoncel, but have different starting points and formats—a mountain-biking stage and a hiking traverse.

Landscape and the Gorges d’Omblèze

The Baume Noire cave bears witness to the complex hydrogeology of the surrounding area. The Cascade de la Pissoire offers a different landscape feature: it lies amid green scenery and has a small lake. Together, these offer contrasting natural features—a geological site and a waterfall with a small lake.

The Gorges d’Omblèze have been designated a protected site since 1991; the decree is dated 28 November 1991. The site covers Omblèze and Plan-de-Baix, spans 372 hectares, and lies entirely within the Vercors Regional Natural Park. This protected status is part of the wider landscape context of the named gorges; it does not apply to the whole commune of Le Chaffal.

Local History and Construction

The hamlet of Le Chaffal grew up around a priory founded in the 12th century, which was under the authority of La Chaise-Dieu Abbey. The church, dedicated to Saint Robert of Turlande, served as the parish church. In La Vacherie, Saint-Robert Church was built in 1863; it replaced the church in Le Chaffal as the parish church. This sequence links the hamlet’s early development with a later change in the church’s role.

The Les Sept Lacets route also illustrates a specific building technique: sections are cut into the mountainside rock, while the structure is masonry on the exposed side. This architectural detail adds a different perspective to the local history from the development centred on the priory and churches.

Discover more destinations: Miribel, Barnave, Plaisians, Peyrins, Saint-Agnan, Aulan, Pierrelongue, Laborel.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.