Saint-Jacques-En-Valgodemard: Trails along the Canal des Herbeys

Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard lies on the left bank of the Séveresse in the lower Valgaudemar Valley. From here, you can enjoy views of Olan to the east, the Dévoluy Massif to the west and the steep slopes of Petit Chaillol to the south. The mountain scenery is complemented by trails along the Canal des Herbeys and heritage sites associated with water engineering, a mill and a church. So when choosing a destination for your stay, it is not just the views that are worth considering: trails of different lengths and historic sites also provide practical options for planning your days.

Trails and routes around Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard

A short out-and-back walk and a longer stage offer different time commitments. The 2.9-kilometre trail along the Canal des Herbeys starts in Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard, is family-friendly and has no elevation gain. The “Des Barangeards à Charbillac” stage follows the canal to Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard. It is 16.1 kilometres long, moderately difficult, takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, and can also be used as a horse-riding route. The two options therefore differ in both distance and time required, as well as in the nature of the route.

Another stage from Les Paris follows the Canal des Herbeys and the Séveraisse mountain stream through the Valgaudemar Valley; along the way, there are several views of Olan. The “Des Paris à la Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar” stage starts in the hamlet of Les Paris in Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard. The GRP Tour du Vieux Chaillol also starts in the village. The six-day “Tour du Vieux Chaillol par le Tourond” route is also associated with Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard. For mountain bikers, the Tour du Champsaur et de la Valgaude passes through the village.

For the stage from Les Paris, access to the Grenoble–Gap bus route is at the stop in Saint-Firmin, two kilometres from Les Paris. Trail conditions may vary; for this stage, seasonal accessibility may also vary. Check the timetables and trail conditions before setting off.

Water engineering and heritage

The Canal des Herbeys is a 28-kilometre historic canal with bridges and aqueducts; it was completed in 1773. It is still operational and irrigates 289 hectares in the municipalities of Chauffayer and Saint-Jacques-en-Valgodemard. This makes it possible to appreciate both the canal’s historical significance and its present-day function in the same structure.

The Moulin du Séchier was once a lime mill. There, blocks of lime made in kilns were crushed. In summer, exhibitions, performances and conferences on mountain life can be visited at the mill. If the programme is important to your trip, check the latest dates.

Saint-Jacques Church also connects local history with a route: it lies on the GR 50, the Tour des Écrins National Park route, which provides access to the GR 653 D Way of St James. Historically, on Whit Monday, a procession on foot went from the church in Saint-Firmin to Saint-Jacques Church. The pilgrims then gathered for a picnic in the hamlet of Les Paris.

Discover more destinations: La Salle Les Alpes, Saint-Apollinaire, La Saulce, Ventavon, Prunières, Rochebrune, Orpierre, Saint-Pierre-D'argençon

For the regional travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.