Cham du Cros circular from Croix de Millet

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Between Prunet and Jaujac, the Col de la Croix de Millet offers a beautiful view of the Ligne valley to the south and the Lignon valley to the north.
The climb to the Col du Merle and the return after Pissas are through woodland, while the bare ridges of the Cham du Cros offer beautiful views of the southern Ardèche from the Vagorge valley and the Tour de Brison in the Cévennes, the Rhône valley and Mont Ventoux to the east, and Mont Lozère to the west.

Details

n°403366
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 604 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 599 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,206 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 634 m
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Photos

Paved slanting street
The Tower of Brison
Le Tanargue

Description of the walk

(S/E) At the hiking mast at the Col de la Croix de Millet, take the forest path above the transmission tower (on the right on the RD coming from Jaujac, on the left coming from Largentière). No markings.
Follow the forest road, which climbs gently through the undergrowth. Pass a path that descends to the right, then another that climbs steeply to the left at around 850m.

(1) The forest road passes in front of a DFCI water tank in the Loubeyre hollow. Do not take the path that descends to the right, a little less than 600m after the tank. Continue climbing on the path, which makes a hairpin bend before reaching the pass 550m further on.

(:2) At Col du Merle, join theGRP® "Tour du Tanargue" trail, marked in yellow and red. Leave the forest road, which continues to the right towards Col de la Croix de Bauzon, and take the path on the left that leads to Cham du Cros.
After 200m, take the path ascending to the left. Further on, do not follow the sign indicating a dangerous passage to the right. Continue on the steeply ascending path before reaching the highest point of the hike at 1207m.

(3) Cairn on the flat path at the summit. Follow the path (poorly marked). Continue along the fence, leaving it on the right to continue the descent. Do not go towards the new forest road that winds downhill. After a fairly steep descent, you will arrive at a flat area.

(4) At the Pissas mast, head towards Rocles via Le Vernet, following the path straight ahead which then veers to the left. The descent is along the Cham du Cros stream: there are few markings and it was not maintained when we passed through.
After 600 metres, ignore the first path on the right and continue for 400 metres to reach a crossroads.

(5) Take the slope on the right. Part of the path is paved slanting street. Descend into the Mondon woods between low walls (a few yellow-red markers) until you reach the forest road.

(6) At the Vernet mast, leave theGRP® Tour du Tanargue and continue along the forest road on the left towards Jaujac, Croix de Millet, 7.5 km, white-yellow markings.

(7) At Granges Vernet, stay on the highest forest path, then pass in front of a ruined house and continue along the road, keeping to the left.

(8) At the Cros mast, continue straight ahead on the forest road towards Joannas, Ranc de Bal (1.9 km).

(9) Pass a DFCI water reservoir and continue.

(10) At the Ranc de Bal mast, continue straight ahead on the forest road towards Prunet.

(11) At the Rabier mast, stay on the forest road, cross the Rabier stream and continue towards Croix de Millet.

(12) Pass a new DFCI water tank. Continue along the forest road for 1 km to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 777 m - Car park at - Col de la Croix de Millet (773m)
  2. 1 : km 2.23 - alt. 944 m - DFCI cistern
  3. 2 : km 4.5 - alt. 1,073 m - Mast - Col du Merle (1074m)
  4. 3 : km 5.15 - alt. 1,206 m - Cairn at the highest point
  5. 4 : km 6.34 - alt. 1,096 m - Mât le Pissas
  6. 5 : km 7.29 - alt. 953 m - Slope on the right
  7. 6 : km 8.84 - alt. 645 m - Mât le Vernet
  8. 7 : km 10.1 - alt. 670 m - Les Granges Vernet
  9. 8 : km 10.96 - alt. 672 m - Mât le Cros
  10. 9 : km 11.52 - alt. 676 m - DFCI cistern
  11. 10 : km 12.31 - alt. 745 m - Ranc de Bal mast
  12. 11 : km 13.98 - alt. 758 m - Mât le Rabier
  13. 12 : km 15.8 - alt. 768 m - DFCI cistern - Ligne (rivière)
  14. S/E : km 16.83 - alt. 777 m - Car park at the Col de la Croix de Millet

Notes

At the Col de la Croix de Millet, there are numerous parking options on the right and left sides of the road.

No drinking water available.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Sabaton René
Sabaton René

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This is an interesting hike because the view is spectacular for most of the route. It is also quite difficult due to the elevation gain, but it is especially hard because of the heat; the last part of the hike is on a forest track with very little shade. This is a hike that should be avoided in summer. However, I recommend it in spring and autumn.

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Kwiss07
Kwiss07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent view of the ridge! A real treat!
The return trip along the trail was a bit long.
Thank you for suggesting this hike.

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Lili et Titi
Lili et Titi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very enjoyable hike thanks to the variety of paths taken (wide dirt tracks, single tracks) and the landscapes crossed (180-degree views, forest)
The hunters we met along the way were cool, nothing to worry about
We recommend it!

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vert
vert

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a bit of a tough, stony descent

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Michel M1.
Michel M1.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

thank you for this hike. No difficulties. Good mileage. Completed the hike alone in 4 hours (not including lunch break).
I didn't note the reliability of the description or how easy it was to follow the route, partly because I have a GPS and partly because, apart from between points 2 and 6 (and there is only one path), this hike follows almost exclusively long forest paths where you would really have to try hard to get lost.
The main interest of this hike lies between points 2 and 6, with beautiful views and varied landscapes. There is one slightly steep climb to reach the Col du Merle and a long descent (sometimes a little rough) between points 5 and 6.
Otherwise, the forest trails to reach the Col du Merle and to reach the Col de la Croix de Millet from point 6 are a bit tedious

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gpg
gpg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery. The return trip along the trail is a bit tedious. But overall, it's a very nice walk with no major difficulties for hikers.

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bijou07
bijou07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike, easy with a short, slightly steep climb, sublime views

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mic07
mic07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with splendid panoramic views along the ridge and hillside roads. There is a short section after the Merle Pass with some rocks where you need to be a bit careful. Pure joy. Thank you

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pbarbezier
pbarbezier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, especially around the summit of Chom. Long forest tracks, sometimes monotonous, at the start and end of the route.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Good evening, JEF ROUSSEL
Did you encounter a problem with the description you rated as "Average"?

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JEF ROUSSEL
JEF ROUSSEL

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

For the more athletic and experienced hikers, despite some snowy sections, the circular can be completed in 2 hours and 15 minutes or less.
Be careful at the summit, which is not very well marked. An interesting hike for the view at the top, but the descent is monotonous.

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gigine57
gigine57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk, beautiful views, slightly rough descent on the paved slanting street;

No problem with the guidance.

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bertin_af
bertin_af

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk, beautiful views from many points along the route and a very pleasant descent through the woods.

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derque
derque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this hike in strong winds, but it was such a treat!
The route is very well described, with a map and numerous waypoints, making it easy to follow. We completed it in 6½ hours, including breaks (20 minutes for coffee + 50 minutes for lunch), at a brisk pace.
The scenery was magnificent, even breathtaking! The Ardèche is beautiful!

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