Ponet-Et-Saint-Auban offers hiking trails and heritage as two specific focal points for planning your trip. The commune is located in the Parc naturel régional du Vercors, in the Izarette Valley near Die and at the foot of wooded marl slopes. Ponet lies on a spur of Montagne de Desse. This gives you a choice of different interests for your stay, from landscape views to historical landmarks.
Hiking between the valley and the vineyards
The Pierre Plate et Ramiat circular hike starts and ends in Ponet-Saint-Auban. It is moderately difficult, 15.1 kilometres long and takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. Its route description takes you through the valley of the vineyards, with vineyards, meadows and forests. Allow for the estimated duration in your itinerary and check the current trail markings and conditions before setting out.
The La vallée des vignes hike takes 50 minutes and involves around 90 metres of ascent and descent. This offers a very different time commitment from the longer circular hike. Check local trail conditions before setting out on this hike too.
The Circuit des vignes de clairette starts in the picturesque lanes of Ponet and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the vineyards, passing an explanatory sign at the entrance to the village. The described route therefore combines a view over the vineyards with a specific source of information at the village entrance.
Cultural history in a building and a basin
The Temple de Ponet is a restored former chapel belonging to the local lord, dating from the 12th century. The temple contains 18th-century frescoes. The building is also part of the Sentier huguenot, a 1,200-kilometre long-distance trail that extends to Germany. This building brings together several distinct aspects: its medieval origins, its later decoration and its connection to an extensive hiking trail. If you are interested in cultural history, the building and its connection to the trail offer two different points of interest.
The Bassin à chanvre represents a different aspect of the village's history. It is a 19th-century basin where hemp fibres were soaked and prepared for rope-making. The basin therefore offers a tangible insight into a specific stage of hemp processing. The Bassin à chanvre site is easily accessible; nevertheless, check local conditions before your visit.
Choose your focus based on time and interests
For a comparison of time commitments, La vallée des vignes takes 50 minutes, while the moderately difficult Pierre Plate et Ramiat hike takes about 4 hours 30 minutes and covers 15.1 kilometres. If you decide on the length of hike first, you can then choose whether vineyard views, marl slopes and forest landscapes or cultural and historical themes will shape your stay. The hiking trails and landmarks from religious and craft history offer different focal points.
Discover more destinations: Solérieux, Épinouze, Chantemerle-Lès-Grignan, Les Tourrettes, Granges-Les-Beaumont, Le Poët-Laval, Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, Beauvallon.
For the broader travel overview: Drôme.
