Circular Three Croix from Bénévent-et-Charbillac

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A family walk in the forest in the middle of Champsaur, offering beautiful views of the neighbouring mountains.

Details

n°28305597
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,220 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,191 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,281 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,287 ft
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Photos

Panoramic view of the Aiguille peak, Coste Belle and Coste Folle
Chapel of Pétètes (hamlet of L'Auberie)
3 crosses
Panorama

Description of the walk

The circular route can be started from several locations (Pisançon, the Belvédère des Trois Croix or Charbillac). We recommend parking in the centre of the hamlet of Charbillac, in the car park at the junction of Rue des Fontaines and Chemin des Randonneurs.

Half of this walk follows the Trail 7 markings in the Champsaur, and the other half follows theGR®50markings.

(S/E) Walk down Rue des Fontaines and turn right to leave the village (Trail 7 markings). At the first fork in the forest track, turn left, pass under a power line and continue downhill to the D23 road.

(1) Turn left and follow the road for 100 m.
In front of the “Château Robert” holiday centre, leave the D23 by turning right and take the forest track, heading towards Pisançon, on a gentle descent. You’ll come out onto a road.

(2) Follow this road, cross the Ruisseau de Pisançon and arrive at the hamlet of Pisançon, which you pass through.

(3) Turn left to leave the hamlet, heading uphill along the road. Cross the D23 county road to join the forest track opposite. Continue uphill through the forest. As you leave the forest, continue uphill along the road. You’ll find a path after a bend to the left.

(4) Leave the road and turn right onto this small path which runs past a few houses before entering a pine forest. Follow the Trail 7 markings as you continue climbing to the Belvédère des Trois Croix viewpoint. Take the opportunity to enjoy the view and have a look at the orientation table.

(5) Leave the viewpoint via the road and take the forest path that runs alongside the road (Trail 7 signposting).

(6) At this T-junction, turn left to follow the road downhill. You will leave the Trail 7 markings here.
As you pass through the hamlet of L’Auberie, take a moment to admire the Chapelle des Petêtes, then head up to Le Gourjou.

(7) Turn left off the road onto a forest path, heading towards Charbillac. Climb up through the Bois du Clier, then continue along the edge of the woods. From here, follow theGR®50markings to Charbillac (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,757 ft - Charbillac
  2. 1 : mi 0.53 - alt. 3,428 ft - D23
  3. 2 : mi 1.05 - alt. 3,343 ft - Route
  4. 3 : mi 1.44 - alt. 3,346 ft - Pisançon hamlet
  5. 4 : mi 1.85 - alt. 3,622 ft - Junction on the path
  6. 5 : mi 2.4 - alt. 4,117 ft - Belvédère des Trois Croix
  7. 6 : mi 2.73 - alt. 3,953 ft - T-junction
  8. 7 : mi 3.64 - alt. 4,098 ft - Le Gourjou
  9. S/E : mi 4.96 - alt. 3,757 ft - Charbillac

Notes

Hiking boots or trainers.
Drinking water at the Belvédère des Trois Croix cemetery

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
jpmscba
jpmscba

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, made more difficult by the fact that it was completed on 12 August in 36°C heat.
The climb to Trois-Croix is quite steep, but fortunately it is in the forest.

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diggi
diggi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As described, the start of the circular route in the centre of the hamlet of Charbillac is ideal (a descent to warm up before the sometimes steep but easy climbs). Especially as the hamlet's dog accompanied and "guided" us all the way (he knows this route very well and was waiting for us at every intersection)!
For those who prefer to start with the climb and finish with the descent, it is better to start from Pisançon.
It's lovely in autumn with the colours of the trees, but don't leave it too late in the season as it gets cold quickly in Champsaur. Best done on a sunny day.
A picnic at the Belvédère des Trois Croix is recommended for its view and tables.
And the Petêtes chapel is a must-see.

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jean-michel.belouet
jean-michel.belouet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

For your information, a picnic table welcomes visitors at the viewpoint.

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Piolit
Piolit
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

quiet during the off-season

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myrpon
myrpon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful walk but quite steep in places.

Machine-translated

levequemi
levequemi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route, varied landscapes, ideal for an autumn hike.

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