The Crêtes du Col de Pennes

Hello, and thank you for your comment.
When we were younger, our family went on a long hike starting from Jonchères, over the Col de Volvent, and following the ridge to the village of Rimon. There were a few rather tricky sections that presented particular challenges! It was over eight hours of gruelling walking, but luckily a car was waiting for us to take us back.
Bernard.

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Date of your route : Aug 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

For us, the two main reasons for choosing this walk were:
- to enjoy views on both sides
- to finish the walk at the free municipal swimming pool in Pennes-le-Sec (honestly: brilliant!!!) – please note: it’s only open in July and August and is closed on Mondays

But anyway:
- the view doesn’t change much; once you’ve reached the ridge, you’re treated to a lovely view towards the village of Barnave, and you can gaze with dismay at the damage caused by the severe fires in the Diois region on the hills above
- you reach the ‘destination’, which is none other than the Telecom relay station – a two-hour walk there (and back), which, frankly, isn’t very picturesque
- several sections requiring ‘goat-like leaps’ from rock to rock
- We had a bit of fun clearing a few sections with secateurs (only to realise afterwards that we could have gone another way )

Thank you, VISIORANDO, for opening up this route and for the trail, which is relatively easy to follow

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Hello,
This fairly technical trail has been opened and is maintained by our association. It has been deliberately left in a very wild state, and it is up to each individual to decide whether or not to continue at their own risk, as it is not listed in the Topo Guides.
The aim has been to develop one's own physical abilities and navigation skills on a limited course.
As it is used less and less often, it is possible that vegetation will take over.
Our region has hundreds of well-marked and well-maintained trails for those who want to hike at a leisurely pace.
Enjoy your walks on your favourite routes.
Bernard.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very difficult, clearly rarely visited, so no traces. As a result, we turned back after 1 km (2 km in 1 hour and 25 minutes). You really need to be an excellent hiker to do this. Despite everything, the views are magnificent..

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Hello Jean-Luc,
Thank you for your appreciation of this route.
The time I indicated is the time it took me to describe this route, just over 1.5 hours for the 3.3 km outward journey and 1 hour for the return journey, but I was alone and knew all the pitfalls of this route perfectly well.
Indeed, in a group, tackling the various tricky sections for the first time and, of course, taking the time to admire the panorama unfolding before your eyes, the duration of the route is well beyond the time I indicated.
I have not yet had the opportunity to make the return trip via La Conche and Le Deves, which would reduce the difficulty of the descent and spare sensitive knees.
For geocaching enthusiasts, a hiker who enjoys this hobby has placed 25 "treasures" between the Col de Pennes and the Pas de la Pousterle, just after the antennas.
Enjoy your hikes as you discover the riches of our mountains.
Bernard.

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Date of your route : Apr 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that this is a round trip on difficult terrain but in a magnificent landscape.
There must be an error in the information sheet: the journey time is 2 hours 40 minutes, not the round trip as indicated on the sheet.
We were a group of six experienced walkers, so allow five hours.
It is possible to go via La Conche and Le Dévés to avoid a return trip. Allow 5 hours 30 minutes.

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Thank you, herveg07, for this message.

This route is not official; it was opened by our club. We wanted it to be a bit challenging, not too well cleared, with few marked passages, hoping that it wouldn't become too popular so that we could hike there naked in peace.
But currently, many people are using it... which is great!
We accept no responsibility for any dangers that may exist. We ask all hikers to exercise the utmost caution, or even turn back if the difficulty seems too great, especially if the ground is slippery after rain.
This route is not recommended in winter or in very hot weather. Be careful of the wind at the edge of the cliff.
Feel free to check out the reports of our routes on our website.
Best regards, and happy hiking.
Bernard.

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Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wild indeed, we didn't meet anyone, neither dressed nor "naked"
Best done at this time of year for the pleasant temperature and flowers (see attached photo), later it must be a bit dry.
There is a slightly tricky 100-metre stretch (not Pertuset, I think), through vegetation and sharp limestone pavements, with no cairns to confirm you are on the right path: watch where you are going and watch your step so you don't lose the trail or step into a deep crevice. The GPS track is not very useful in this area, as there are not enough points and if you stray 5 metres, you are no longer on the right path... Overall, however, there are no problems if you pay attention.
I recommend the wind map (Météociel, AROME model): on this day of strong mistral winds, it surprisingly predicted a calm area at this location, and that was indeed the case, with just a welcome light breeze!

PS for the Marcheurs Nus du Val de Roanne: I hope you've got some tough skin, as at the start of the season you'll need to do a bit of brush clearing to avoid scratches on your tender skin (dry, hard boxwood twigs!).

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Hello Joel555,
Thank you for your feedback.
We want this trail to remain wild, created by naturists. Its (slight) technicality limits traffic and allows us to maintain our serenity so we can enjoy our favourite activity as close to nature as possible.
Thank you for your tolerance if you encounter us; nature is to be shared with kindness!
Bernard ... on behalf of the Val de Roanne Naked Walkers Association.

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Date of your route : Feb 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful route surrounded by nature
A ridge hike with part of the Drôme Valley and Dévoluy in the background on one side, and the Roanne Valley and Les 3 Becs in the background on the other.
The weather was fine on Saturday with little wind, which made for a very pleasant hike with magnificent views throughout.
The route runs almost entirely along the edge of the cliff, with a few uncomfortable passages in the sharp limestone pavement, but in my opinion, these add to the interest of the itinerary.
However, I appreciated having my GPS to help me find the "hidden" passages in the vegetation at certain points. The box trees here were lucky enough to have been spared by the moth!
I continued to Pas-de-la-Tune at an altitude of 1,339 metres, covering 15.5 km there and back, with an elevation gain of 620 metres.
The return trip is also interesting, offering a view of the route from a different angle and in different light.
Thank you for the description and the recommended safety information.
A very beautiful hike!

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful hike

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Date of your route : Jun 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Ideal for the day after a challenging hike... The well-marked trail at the Penne Pass becomes a little more difficult for people with mobility issues (we had people with sore knees with us...
On the other hand, the view over the valleys on both sides of the ridge is impressive and very beautiful!!!

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I did download this hiking route, but it's for the holiday we're planning to spend in the region... next July. So I don't have any comments to make yet.

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Date of your route : Sep 14, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful view from the ridges, but not very varied. The route is not long, but the walk is not very pleasant (small rocks/boulders to climb over; the path is often difficult to find); you have to watch your step all the time. We finally decided to descend a little from the mountain and return via the tarmac road (with no traffic), which offered equally beautiful views. It seems that the walk starting from the other side of the car park is more interesting and varied (heading north), according to other people who had just come down from there.

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Date of your route : Jul 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It is not a marked and signposted trail, but finding your way is not particularly difficult.
The scenery is wonderful.
Departure at 8:55 a.m., reaching the radio relay station around 11 a.m.
Return to the car park at 11:30 a.m., arrival at the car at 1:00 p.m.
Some sections are difficult for walkers
unaccustomed to boulders, but a friendly presence
is enough to reassure them (the walkers, not the boulders).
Avoid setting off after 10:00 a.m. on very sunny days.
Excellent hike.

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