Col of the Red Cross via Saint-Michel and the Col de la Croix

de fr

A lovely walk starting from the Chapelle Saint-Michel towards the Col de la Croix, then through the charming Forêt Domaniale du Coucou. Shaded for two-thirds of the way, the route follows pleasant little paths.

Details

n°19539498
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,293 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,273 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,559 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,473 ft
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Photos

Saint Michel Chapel
Small stream
Climb towards the double hairpin bend
Tapped spring

Description of the walk

At the Red Cross Col, turn left as you head up the tarmac road, then head towards the Saint-Michel chapel and park in the car park in front of Saint-Michel Church.

(S/E) Walk down the short slope, turn right and walk past the cemetery as you head uphill. At the end of the tarmac road, take theGR® to the left and tackle this long, stony climb. Ignore the track on the right and continue uphill to the ridge, at an elevation of 776.

(1) Cross the tarmac road, leave theGR® and take the path along the ridge, which is marked with an unconventional but clearly visible sign (two thick parallel red stripes). Continue to the Col de la Croix (with its pretty carved stone benches).

(2) Ignore the road, walk a few metres straight ahead and turn left onto the Sentier de Découverte. Follow thePR®-marked path. You’ll reach a pass.

(3) Turn right and take the path along the ridge to return to the Col de la Croix.

(2) Take the stony forest track on the left and follow it down to the wash house in the hamlet of Les Mayets.

(4) Take the small path leading down to the right, just level with the water trough. Stay on this shaded, yellow-marked path until you reach the Chapelle Saint-Michel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,781 ft - Car park - Église Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-de-Bordette)
  2. 1 : mi 1 - alt. 2,552 ft - Crossing a small road
  3. 2 : mi 1.48 - alt. 2,343 ft - Col de la Croix (709m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.03 - alt. 2,438 ft - Ridge – Discovery Trail
  5. 4 : mi 3.96 - alt. 1,512 ft - Les Mayets
  6. S/E : mi 4.71 - alt. 1,781 ft - Car park - Église Saint-Michel (Châteauneuf-de-Bordette)

Notes

There’s a water point before the hamlet of Les Mayets where you can top up your water.
A stream on the way back – perfect for the dog.
The path is partly shaded, but do remember to bring a hat.
Make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear – the path is stony at the start.
View of the Linceuil.

Worth a visit

The Col de la Croix and the Discovery Trail.
View of the Pilles valley.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
dauphinois
dauphinois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Just a bit disappointed with the nature trail.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your feedback. Kind regards

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Jean-Luc H
Jean-Luc H

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the Col de la Croix, point 2, the nature trail on the left is not signposted (in this direction); you must follow the wide forest track

Machine-translated

Claudiousse
Claudiousse

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for that lovely walk! We did it in the sunshine but without it being too hot.
It’s quite a climb at the start, but it’s well worth it for the views.
See you soon
Claudiousse

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