Crossey Gorges - Croix du Rocher de la Garde

de fr

This is an easy hike, except for a short acrobatic passage on the sharp limestone pavement near the cross. Beautiful view of Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey and its surroundings.

Details

n°2802300
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.61 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 741 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 745 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,283 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,558 ft
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Photos

Arrival at Rocher de la Garde
View from Rocher de la Garde
The Crossey Gorges on the way up to Rocher de la Garde
At the top of Rocher de la Garde

Description of the walk

Park at the side of the D520 in a small lay-by. If you’re coming from Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey, the lay-by is on the left: you can easily turn round here as there’s a junction.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path leading uphill. Continue for about 500 m.

(1) Take the hairpin bend onto the path on the left: be careful, as this path isn’t very visible because it’s narrower than the path you’re on. Furthermore, there are no signposts. Then continue for about 500 m until you reach a signpost: take the path on the right and carry on.

(2) At the junction, turn left, then left again about thirty metres further on. When you reach an area of sharp limestone pavement marked by a sign, continue to the left to reach the cross and enjoy the view.

(3) Carry on to the right to return to the sharp limestone pavement and then to the junction at elevation 676.

(2) Turn right and follow the outbound route to return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,565 ft - Car park alongside the D520
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 1,647 ft - Crossroads; turn left
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 2,221 ft - Elevation 676
  4. 3 : mi 1.28 - alt. 2,247 ft - Cross of the - Rocher de la Garde
  5. S/E : mi 2.61 - alt. 1,568 ft - Car park alongside the D520

Notes

Allow just over an hour for the walk.
We completed the walk without any problems with a 7-year-old child. There are no particular difficulties apart from the section with sharp limestone pavement: the route (on the way back) to the right is a little easier.
The walk is mainly through woodland, so it’s nice and cool in summer. There is, however, a fair bit of elevation gain, and in autumn it can be a bit slippery due to the fallen leaves: it’s therefore advisable to take walking poles.
Following the bad weather, there are still trees blocking the path in places (January 2020), but the path remains passable (you just need to duck down a little to get past or go round the trees in question).

Worth a visit

For the return journey, you can do a short circular 30-minute detour. At point (2), head left and then, at the junctions, always turn left rather than heading back down to the right. Please note that the OpenStreetMap in this area is inaccurate: some paths are missing.

Towards the end of the circular route, you’ll come to a signpost: if you turn right (instead of left to complete the circular route), you can do a short additional 30-minute loop that takes you back to point (1).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
DenisCM
DenisCM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful view at the summit

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sonon
sonon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk for a not too long and accessible outing.

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etoiledesneiges
etoiledesneiges
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant family walk through the woods, with a magnificent view at the end.

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leyeti
leyeti
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A short hike through the woods: ideal when the weather is warm. The trees that fell across the path during the last storm have all been cut away, so there are no obstacles to progress. When you reach the cross, you will be rewarded for your efforts with a clear view. Watch out for sharp limestone pavement.
If you're looking for peace and quiet, I think it's best to do this walk during the week.

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Elo-chapelarde
Elo-chapelarde
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy hike through woodland for most of the route, ending on a sharp limestone pavement with magnificent views of the Chartreuse mountains. We did it with our two children aged 8 and 10, who loved it.

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Mimizen38
Mimizen38
• Edited:

Hello,

It's true that I hadn't thought of that: when I go back, I'll try to make the necessary changes.

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