Destination: Saint-Genix

To get to the start, at the roundabout at the entrance to Die coming from Crest, turn left towards Marignac-en-Diois. Join the D543, continue left and at the three-way junction, follow the D543a to the right. At the exit of the gorges, leave the road that leads to Marignac-en-Diois and turn right towards the hamlet of Les Chambards. At the entrance to the hamlet, take the first small road on the right, just behind a house. After a few metres, cross a bridge and park on the right in the small car park with picnic tables.

(S/E) Continue south along the road and take the path that climbs to the left at the bend. When you reach the edge of the woods, follow the path to the left that runs alongside a field and then enters the woods.

(1) At the crossroads, turn right (east-northeast) onto the less marked path and begin a gradual climb. You will then come to a clearly visible path which you should follow to cross a small valley. Climb steadily to reach the Col de Vassieux. Crossing a small stream (marked on the IGN map) indicates the final approach to the pass.

(2) At the pass, turn left and follow the ridge. Pass the first hill, ignore the path branching off to the right at the next dip (between passes) and continue to the Col de la Chau.

(3) Continue straight ahead, still on the ridge (ignore the path branching off to the left downhill). On the final climb, ignore another path (not very visible) branching off to the left and continue to the summit of But Saint-Genix (panoramic view).

(4) Continue to follow the edge of the cliffs, north-north-east. At the entrance to the woods, the path climbs a little then turns right downhill and joins a track.

(5) Continue left and reach Pas Bouillanain in a small grassy area at the edge of the slope.

(6) Descend to the left along a small, barely visible path that winds twice before entering the woods on the left below. The path then becomes a little more visible and continues almost horizontally (ignore the few small paths leading downhill). Alternating between woods and scree, you will reach a crossroads with four paths.

(7) Take the path opposite, which begins a slight descent. It continues gently downhill, making wide hairpin bends. Almost directly below the small pass of Côte Giraud, at the third bend, ignore the path branching off to the left and continue downhill to the right, following the most visible path. The final stretch is almost horizontal and leads to the track at Côte Giraud.

(8) Continue along the track to the left. Ignore a path branching off to the right, start a slight ascent and cross the Torrent de Payanne ravine. At the end of the straight section after the ravine, look for a path branching off to the left.

(9) Take the path on the left that starts at the edge of the track and enters the undergrowth. A few metres further on, ignore a barely visible path leading uphill and continue along the hillside until you reach the next junction at Clot Hubert. Continue to the right downhill and you will soon reach the next junction.

(10) Turn left (ignoring the path that continues towards a small building a hundred metres further on) and descend the winding path. At the track, continue to the right.

(11) Before starting a large right-hand bend, take an old logging track on the left which descends steeply and straight to the bottom of the valley. Join a new track and follow it downhill to the road at the hamlet of Les Chambards.

(12) Walk a few metres to the left, then take the road on the right to the exit of the hamlet of Les Chambards. Take the first left, cross the bridge and you will reach the car park with picnic tables (S/E).

Bring enough water for the hike, which covers approximately 1,100 metres of elevation gain and 17 kilometres in length.
Avoid in hot weather.
The ascent and descent are sheltered from the wind, but bring protection from the Col de Vassieux to the Pas Bouillanain.

Possible alternative: Col de Vassieux starting from Marignac.