Col de la Croix, Chemin de Mars, Col de Gerbe and Col Chicotier

Departure from Vaugelas. Car park in the centre of the village.
A pretty little village, fairly well restored, located at the bottom of a valley

Details

n°3061909

Creation:
08 Mar 2020

Last update:
12 Mar 2020

Last review:
25 Sep 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 15.21 km
Average duration: 5h 45
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 484 m
Descent: - 485 m
Highest point: 743 m
Lowest point: 341 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vercors, Diois, Dauphiné
City: Montclar-sur-Gervanne (26400)
Start/End: N 44.761298° / E 5.153703°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3137OT
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Description of the walk

(S/E) Go down the small road in the middle of the village, which turns into a wide path as it turns right.

(1) At the first crossroads, turn left and follow the^GR®9, which climbs up to the Col de la Croix (about 2 km).

(2) At Col de la Croix, go through the barrier and continue on the left along the^GR® 9, which descends and climbs slightly. Pass a statue of the Virgin Mary on the left-hand side (Source de la Vierge) and continue for about 300 m.

(3) After a hairpin bend, take the^GR® E4 on the left, a narrow path through the forest, then a wider path with an unobstructed view for about 2.1 km

(4) Leave the^GR® E4 trail straight ahead and turn left onto a wide path: Chemin Forestier de Mars.

(5) At the crossroads, follow the path on the left to Col de Gerbe.

(6) Take the small, well-marked path that climbs up to Col Chicotier, where you can enjoy a bite to eat in the middle of the woods.

(7) Descend via the same path to Col de Gerbe

(6) Descend to the right on the yellow marked trail and follow it for about 4 km to Col de la Croix.
This is a very pleasant little forest path lined with numerous flowers (depending on the season).

(2) At the pass, continue your descent on the^GR®9, turning right to return to your car park via the same route you took on the way up (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 346 m - Vaugelas car park
1 : km 0.21 - alt. 354 m - Road on the left
2 : km 1.93 - alt. 509 m - Col de la Croix (507m)
3 : km 3.71 - alt. 488 m - Path on the left
4 : km 4.9 - alt. 594 m - Path to the left in a hairpin bend
5 : km 6.72 - alt. 667 m - Left path
6 : km 7.37 - alt. 696 m - Col de la Gerbe (695m)
7 : km 8.17 - alt. 743 m - Col du Chicotier (718m)
S/E : km 15.2 - alt. 346 m - Vaugelas car park

Notes

There are no water sources available on this route.

Worth a visit

At (4), you can make a round trip to the Saint-Christophe Chapel (approximately 1 km round trip).
Between (4) and (5), you will have a magnificent view of the entire valley.
Between (5) and (6), you will overlook the valley above the village of Véronne.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.2 / 5

Daniel Maciocia

25 Sep 2024 at 08:55 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike. The Chicotier Pass doesn't offer much. It's better to go to St Christophe Chapel, a lovely spot for a picnic.

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sempervivum

17 Aug 2024 at 16:40 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Long, uninteresting trails are compensated for by a very pleasant forest path between the Col de Gerbe and the Col de la Croix, with lots of flowers. We skipped the Col du Chicotier based on comments from other hikers.

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Montagnes 26

27 Nov 2023 at 14:58 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, sheltered from the wind that was blowing that day.
I recommend it

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BONNIFACY M LISETTE

13 Mar 2023 at 09:11 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A complete change of scenery
The forest is very beautiful and dense
Very enjoyable hike
No difficulties except perhaps a little mud
But you shouldn't go there after it rains

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Joel Auray

23 May 2022 at 04:32 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely sunny route with very little shade. Due to a mistake, I ended up at St Christophe Chapel, which is magnificent.

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berbard k

11 Apr 2022 at 10:04 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in spring weather. Beautiful colours in the undergrowth. Views of the Vercors and, far away, the Ardèche! Peace and quiet guaranteed. The Chicotier Pass is not particularly interesting.

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crapahuter

09 Aug 2021 at 21:39 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The trail is pleasant but seems quite long to reach Col de Gerbe because it is wooded all along and steep-sided.
So it's great for shade and coolness, but there are few opportunities to see far into the distance.
As for the last little climb to Col Chicotier, it offers nothing more.

Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and bring walking sticks, as there are some very rocky sections.
Happy hiking!

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gilbert.agnes@orange.fr

24 Jun 2020 at 10:32 7200 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for this hike.

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M No

15 Jun 2020 at 20:30 7200 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with views of the Ardèche and Vercors regions. The descent from the Col de Gerbe to the Col de la Croix is superb, along a gentle path through the pine trees.
In the description: be careful when leaving the GR, as you come straight onto the forest path and turn immediately left. There is a cross, but it is the right place for those who do not want to go to the St Christophe chapel. Otherwise, very good description.
Thank you for this route, which is well worth the detour.

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BARNAVON

29 Mar 2020 at 09:27 7200 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Yes, it is possible to take the mountain bike trail from the Col de Gerbe. This trail is very well marked and easy to follow. From the Col de Fonteuse, it is even possible to return to the Col de Gerbe via a trail slightly further north, passing through Les Chanaux (unmarked trail).

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Thierryb26

29 Mar 2020 at 09:08 7200 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Hello,

From the Chicotier Pass, it is also possible to go to the Fonteuse Pass via a single track that runs along the ridge and down the hillside. I did this on a mountain bike a few years ago, and I remember it being quite wild and bushy. I don't know what condition the trail is in now... See the OSM map; the trail does not appear continuously on the IGN map.

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BARNAVON

29 Mar 2020 at 08:43 7200 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,

An interesting but classic route. I think that by extending it a little, it is possible to either pass by Saint Christophe Chapel or take the mountain bike trail to reach the Chicotier Pass.

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cailletteaoc

19 Mar 2020 at 06:39 3600 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A leisurely hike on a beautiful sunny day. I can confirm that the round trip to the Chicotier Pass is not particularly interesting.

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jpcrando

16 Mar 2020 at 16:13 3600 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

A lovely, easy hike with beautiful views of the snow-covered Glandasse and Grand Veymont mountains.
Well marked.
We did not climb to the Col du Chicotier.

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jcdelbeauvallon

16 Mar 2020 at 12:44 3600 • Edited: 09 Jul 2020 at 16:15 7200

But when you're a bit curious, you push a little further and the path leads you to discover the Grand Barry massif.

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Author

jcdelbeauvallon
3 Walks

Visorando Member

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