Col de Croix Rouge - Col de la Croix - Garde Grosse

Departure from the town centre, from the Nyons Tourist Office, Place de la Libération.

(S/E) Head towards Gap, cross the bridge over the Ouvèze river and arrive at a roundabout.

(1) Turn right onto the D538 towards Orange. Pass the entrance to the Stade Pierre Julien stadium on your right below you and continue to a roundabout.

(2) Keep left and take Chemin des Blâches, following it to the end at the stop sign.

(3) Turn left (^D185A) and follow this road until you reach the D185.

(4) Turn left towards Chateauneuf de Bordette and climb up to the Col de la Croix Rouge. The road is quiet, but drive carefully. The last few hairpin bends before the pass are steep.

(5) Continue on the D185 downhill, cross the village of Chateauneud de Bordette, and reach a small road that starts with a hairpin bend on the left and a small car park on the right.

(6) Turn left at the hairpin bend, drive past the farm on your right, keep left at the fork and you will reach a forest track.

(7) Go through the barrier that prevents vehicles from passing and, on a steady, easy climb, reach the Col de la Croix.

(8) At the pass (tree climbing, picnic area), turn left and follow the rough road to the summit of Garde Grosse.

(9) Enjoy the superb views of Nyons, the Ventoux massif, the plain as far as Montélimar and, with a bit of luck, paragliders taking off or acrobats preparing for mountain bike descents. Return to the Col de la Croix.

(8) Take the road on the left and descend carefully, watching out for vehicles coming up, as visibility is poor in places.

(10) Ignore the Chemin du Bevédère and take the hairpin bend to the right. Continue downhill to the D94 (Route de Gap).

(11) Turn left, go through the tunnel and arrive at the roundabout you passed at the start.

(1) Turn right, cross the bridge, and head to the Tourist Office on Place de la Libération (S/E).

(5) You can climb up to the small Saint-Michel Church.