The Crête de La Sciau

Parking is easy at the Place de l’Église in Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont.

The entire walk is very clearly marked in yellow and the directional signs are perfectly clear.

Important: For obvious safety reasons, please ensure you close all the numerous gates you encounter along the route as you pass through them.

(S/E) The walk starts on the path overlooking the car park, which is accessible straight from the car park.
Please note: make sure you take the path heading west on the left. Follow the clearly marked path as it winds its way. You’ll come to a first gate designed to keep livestock in their enclosure whilst allowing walkers free passage.

(1) After passing through another gate, you’ll reach a cattle shed. At the same time, you’ll be crossing an area that may be occupied by cows: be careful not to startle them; ideally, give them a wide berth… To continue, you’ll need to go past the building and round it to the left, passing through another gate situated opposite. You’ll then reach the Soulier crossroads.

(2) Carry on to the right along the track leading to the Combe des Ailes. Always take care to follow the yellow markings, avoiding the Yellow Crosses. Reach the Combe des Ailes.

(3) Here, the track begins to climb more steeply. Follow the signs for Signal Saint-Michel on your right until you reach Les Grands Clos.

(4) Continue along the main ascending track straight ahead; ignore the slightly descending path on your right. You will then reach the Croix de Roche, the highest point of the walk.
Please take care here: the unprotected sheer drop requires caution when approaching it and extra vigilance if children are taking part in this walk.

(5) Resume the path after passing through another gate, which leads you to the final, descending section. After passing the Signal Saint-Michel, you’ll reach the junction with the Route du Col de Pierre Grosse.

(6) Here you have two options:
- you can follow the same route back as on the way there,
- take the tarmac road to the right,
in both cases, this will take you back to the car park at Place de l’Église in Saint-Michel-en-Beaumont (S/E).

Between (2) and (3) Admire the view to the left of the track of the Obiou Massif and the Drac Valley, with the Eastern Balcons of the Vercors as a backdrop.
(5) Here, enjoy an exceptional view of the La Bonne Valley, the Valbonnais region and its lake, and much more besides.