Circuit of the Croix du Moine Mort and Notre-Dame de Milin

A lovely little walk in the Dauphiné countryside. Halfway through, you will climb a little way up into the forest to the Croix du Moine Mort (Dead Monk's Cross), before descending to the charming Notre-Dame de Milin Chapel.

Details

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Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.95 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 646 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 630 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,283 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,598 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Burcin Town Hall.

(S/E) Leave the town hall car park by heading up to the left (eastwards) along the Chemin des Combes. You’ll leave the village almost immediately. Take the first small road on the left fairly soon (Chemin des Pins). You’ll pass the cemetery (drinking water point outside). When you reach a T-junction, turn right.

(1) On your left, you will see a sign for “Les Combes – alt. 535 m”. Continue along the small road towards the wayside cross. Quite soon, as the road bends to the right, take a dirt track on the left. Further on, you will come to another dirt track. Turn left. Very soon, you will reach a Fork in the road. Take the left-hand fork.

(2) Much further on, you’ll come out onto a wide track. Follow it to the left, reach a T-junction and turn right.

(3) You’ll come to a small tarmac road. Take it to the left and enter the hamlet of Blaune, which you’ll pass through.

(4) You come to a Stop sign. On your right, you’ll see the sign for “Blaune – alt. 580 m”. Carry on straight ahead. Very soon, you’ll see a small road on your left that climbs up the hill: Chemin de Moine Mort. That’s handy, as that’s where you’re heading. Take it.

(5) At the fork in the road, you’ll see the sign for “Combelière – alt. 612 m”; turn left. The tarmac has given way to a dirt track.

(6) At the pass, you’ll reach the Croix de Moine Mort (signpost “Croix du Moine Mort – alt. 680 m”). Watch out! There are six paths. Make sure you remember which one brought you here. To continue, ignore the first path on your left. That one continues to climb; take thesecond one, which goes downhill (there is a yellow mark on a tree). You go downhill and leave the woods. Ignore a path on your right.

(7) At a bend, you will see a hunter’s hut on your right with tables and benches under a shelter, and further on, a hairpin bend to the right. You will then come to a second hairpin bend, this time to the left. At the end of this, take the very stony path down to the right.

(8) You arrive at the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Milin. Take the small road below to the left. Go downhill and you will come to a crossroads. Turn left (yellow markings) and you will soon reach a Fork in the road.

(9) Turn right onto the Chemin de la Tuilerie (signposted). At the Fork in the road, turn right. You will then pass a narrow path branching off to the right and come out onto a wide track, which you take to the right.

(10) Very soon, under a beautiful tree, you’ll see the sign “Fenu – alt. 535 m”. Turn left and, very soon, you’ll reach a small road.

(1) You’ll see the sign for “Les Combes” again. Head right, then take the first left towards a long shed, pass the cemetery and its water point, then turn right to reach the town hall square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,709 ft - Burcin, town hall car park. Source of the - Bourbre (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 1,745 ft - Les Combes signpost, altitude 535 m
  3. 2 : mi 1.33 - alt. 1,919 ft - Leads onto a wide path
  4. 3 : mi 1.76 - alt. 1,886 ft - Entrance to the hamlet of Blaune
  5. 4 : mi 1.95 - alt. 1,913 ft - Blaune signpost, alt. 580 m
  6. 5 : mi 2.36 - alt. 2,011 ft - Combelière signpost, altitude 612 m
  7. 6 : mi 2.97 - alt. 2,254 ft - Signpost: alt. 680 m - Croix du Moine Mort (Oyeu)
  8. 7 : mi 3.4 - alt. 1,946 ft - Hunting lodge
  9. 8 : mi 3.88 - alt. 1,690 ft - Chapelle Notre-Dame de Milin (Burcin)
  10. 9 : mi 4.35 - alt. 1,614 ft - Chemin de la Tuilerie
  11. 10 : mi 5.2 - alt. 1,742 ft - Fenu signpost, alt. 535 m
  12. S/E : mi 5.95 - alt. 1,709 ft - Burcin, Town Hall car park

Notes

The starting point is in the car park of Burcin town hall, a small town in northern Isère, west of Lake Paladru.
At the start and end of the walk, you will pass by the cemetery and have access to a drinking water fountain (closed in winter).
Two-thirds of the way along the walk, a hunters' hut provides shelter for picnics in case of bad weather.

Worth a visit

During the walk, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the Dauphiné countryside and the Bois des Montenvers.
You can enjoy some beautiful views of the Chartreuse mountains.
You will pass near the Croix du Moine Mort. This cross is said to commemorate a Carthusian monk killed by soldiers.
You will then descend to the small chapel of Notre-Dame de Milin.
Nearby are the châteaux of Pupetière and Virieu.
Not far away, you’ll also find the magnificent Lac de Paladru and its brand-new museum (opening in 2022).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Luigidevillard
Luigidevillard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy stroll through rolling countryside.

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Jacques L1.
Jacques L1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk to discover the surroundings of Burcin and Chabons. We were lucky enough to visit the Notre Dame de Milin chapel on pilgrimage day, when it was very busy and lively. It was great! This route is easy and combines woodland and sunny paths with beautiful scenery.

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hilly walk through fields of corn and barley, crossing a forest with beautiful trees and birdsong throughout.
A beautiful passage at the Croix du Moine Mort (Dead Monk's Cross) marks the start of the descent, with a beautiful view at the edge of the woods leading to the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Milin.
A glimpse of adobe houses, some of which are being renovated.
Thanks to the author for this purely rural route in total tranquillity.

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Sud 8
Sud 8

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking in the Dauphiné region, where a few adobe houses have stood the test of time, beautiful cereal crops and, finally, the chapel in its secluded setting, as well as information panels on the history of the Bourbe.
Thanks to the author.

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romanche
romanche
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much for this very pleasant hike to start the season. Very well described, varied, with beautiful views and lots of sunshine.

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nazonfly
nazonfly

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant and fairly easy hike. Note that the explanations are very clear!

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mirvinc
mirvinc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The chapel was closed on Pentecost Sunday, and I don't think it's often open. From the outside, it's not very interesting with its plastered walls.

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mirvinc
mirvinc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike with open landscapes. The stony descent is hard on the feet, but otherwise there are no difficulties.

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Turanco
Turanco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, very easy walk (completed in 2 hours and 15 minutes), peaceful and pleasant, with a variety of paths to choose from!

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thales
thales

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a perfect hike under the winter sun. Beautiful scenery and a bit of culture.
We only met people at the crossroads where six paths intersect.
The Notre Dame de Milin chapel makes you want to return when it is open.

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MIMINE 38
MIMINE 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Perfect autumn hike on 20 November...
Varied and exactly as described...
Discovery of Notre-Dame de Milin and its beautiful calvary...

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les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and very interesting route, as it is varied and shaded. Don't hesitate!

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IsoRando
IsoRando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk!

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Deborando
Deborando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did it a month ago and really enjoyed it, the variety of paths and landscapes. I recommend it

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myrtilles
myrtilles

Hello,
We were unable to complete the hike because I think we took a wrong turn at the beginning. It seems to me that there is a path that matches the description but is not the correct one. We didn't have the route map with us that day. It is actually essential...

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