Country:
City:
Cross the Frédéric Mistral bridge, turn right onto Quai de Verdun, then 400 metres further on, turn left at the traffic lights into the paved slanting street of Rue de la Calade. Continue straight on along Rue Georges Bovet. Continue to Chemin du Donjon, which turns left and climbs steeply (signposted to the tower). Park in the tower car park.
(S/E) Leave the car park and head towards the tower.
Yellow-marked ridge route
(1) Immediately turn right, taking a hairpin bend, onto the path that climbs above the car park and leads to a wider path at the top. Take this path to the left (blue sign), then follow it around a right-hand bend.
(2) Leave this path quickly to climb up to the right, over the rocks, and follow a path marked in yellow.
Pass over a reservoir and walk along a wooden fence. At the end of this fence, leave the path on the left (not shown on the map) which leads to the climbing site and take the one on the right, which runs along the top of the cliff. Reach a gap in the cliff for a view of the Rhône valley and the Monts d'Ardèche. You will come to a fork (not shown on the map).
(3) There are two options for continuing the route on two parallel paths:
- on the left, the path marked with a yellow cross on a tree offers an easy route through the undergrowth.
- On the right, the path marked in yellow climbs up the rock to continue along the ridge. This path offers superb panoramic views of the Rhône Valley as far as the Vercors on the left and the Drôme Valley, the Saoû Syncline and the Alps on the right. However, the terrain is rather uneven, punctuated by ascents and descents on rocks that can be slippery. Please remain cautious.
For both trails, continue straight ahead, heading north, until you descend onto a wide path where they meet.
(4) Turn right onto this path. Keep right at the various junctions until you reach the Jouvet farm.
(5) Turn right, then descend to the left. Ignore the various paths on the right leading to houses (with letterboxes). The pebbles give way to tarmac.
(6) At the T-junction with the tarmac road called Chemin des Moyennes Setérées, turn right. At the hairpin bend, leave this road, go up opposite, then down immediately to the left onto a path.
Towards the banks of the Drôme
(7) When you reach Chemin du Donjon, go down to the left and stay on the same street, ignoring two roads on the right and three roads on the left. Continue to a large crossroads and turn right.
(8) Take the Voie Verte on the left. At the crossroads with Rue du Colonel Odon, cross the road and continue straight ahead on the Voie Verte. At the end of the Voie Verte, turn right onto Chemin de Saint Vincent, cross Avenue des 3 Becs (D93) and take a path between the houses on the left.
(9) Go through a gate and turn right to follow a dirt track that curves sharply to the right and runs alongside the Drôme river. Continue along a fairly busy path through the woods, which offers pleasant spots for swimming and, at the end, below the municipal crèche, a large area with picnic tables.
Go back up Quai Bérangier de la Blache, past the Eden cinema, then across a car park. Continue parallel to Quai de Verdun until you reach the Pont Frédéric Mistral roundabout.
(10) A short detour to the pedestrian walkway is well worth the effort: there are beautiful views from the middle of the bridge over the Drôme, the Tower and the old town.
The old town
(10) Take Rue Maurice Long opposite, turn right into Rue des Cuiretteries. Take the original covered passageway, in the heart of the historic crafts and industry district (tanneries, textiles), which passes under old factories and residential buildings. The passageway continues into Rue Courre Commerce, which turns left. Then turn right into Rue de la République, where you will find many artisan shops.
(11) Continue along the route in Rue Archinard so you don't miss the "Façon Chocolat" chocolate shop, which is well worth a visit. Then return to the previous fork.
(11) Go up to the right, then left, into Rue Peysson. Follow it until you reach Place de l'Église Saint-Sauveur. Pass in front of the Tourist Office and take the stairs on the right (Montée des Pénitents), which curve to the left until they run alongside the rock. Pass under a porch and turn right, continuing until you reach the stairs of Montée des Cordeliers.
(12) These monumental steps were carved out of the rock on which the town is built. Climb these steps. Go around the Chapelle des Cordeliers on the left to reach a terrace offering a beautiful view over the rooftops of Crest. Continue and turn right into Rue Sainte-Marie. Follow the signs for "accès à la Tour" (access to the tower) to reach Rue du Clocher. There is a beautiful view of the church roof and dome and, beyond, the Saoû Syncline. Take the stairs on the left (up to the Tower) to reach Rue de Saboury. Go through a fortified gate (the last of the old castle complex) and continue climbing until you reach the Tower, which is well worth a visit.
(13) Take the path on the right, opposite the tower, to return to the car park where you started (S/E).
Local authority
Visorando Member
Moderate 
