La Croix de Rougny, return via the ridges

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From the forecourt of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Salette, there is a view of the entire hike. An exceptional panorama. With the optional Gargas, it's nothing but happiness.

Details

n°254690
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 567 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 557 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,257 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,749 m
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Photos

The ridges
The ridges
La Muzelle
Le Gargas

Description of the walk

(S/E) Reach the forecourt of the basilica. Climb up to the small cemetery opposite. Continue on the path that climbs up to the hunting reserve sign.

(1) Turn right onto the well-marked "RTM" trail and follow it without difficulty to elevation 1908 (approximately 2.5 km).

(2) Leave the marked trail and take a less well-marked trail on the left to reach a cross.

(3) Continue along the ridge to the Rougny cross, the highest point of the hike (2,259m). A small platform allows us to take in the exceptional panorama around us. After this, there will be less space available.

(4) Continue along the grassy ridge to the Tête de la Pale Traversière (2,211 m).

(5) The ridge then becomes narrower. Stay on the ridge and follow the trail that leads to Chamoux. The crosses that mark the trail are important landmarks, so don't stray from the path, even if you are tempted to.

(6) Head south-west and stay on the ridge in a section that requires the utmost attention to reach the Croix de la Bonne Mère (2081m).

(7) Keep heading west to reach the Col de l'Eterpat.

(8) Take the good path on the left, which winds back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,749 m - Basilica car park
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 1,816 m - RTM trail
  3. 2 : km 3.02 - alt. 1,936 m - leave the path and head for the cross
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 2,012 m - first cross
  5. 4 : km 3.94 - alt. 2,257 m - Admire the view
  6. 5 : km 4.33 - alt. 2,213 m - Be careful of the drop
  7. 6 : km 5.21 - alt. 2,177 m - The drop is very noticeable
  8. 7 : km 5.55 - alt. 2,068 m - Last difficult section
  9. 8 : km 6.18 - alt. 1,956 m - Le Gargas optional
  10. S/E : km 7.76 - alt. 1,750 m - Basilica car park

Notes

Walking poles and good shoes are essential. This hike is strongly discouraged for people who are afraid of heights. Apart from the heights, the ridges are sometimes very narrow. There are no particular difficulties.

Alternative route:
(8) Before descending, climb to the summit of Gargas and its orientation table, going there and back, taking the second path on the right (west). Allow for an additional 350m of elevation gain.

Worth a visit

Climbing to the summit of Gargas and its orientation table is a very interesting option, as this extra 350m allows us to put a name to the exceptional panorama that is offered to us.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 27118121

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, but one that requires attention.
Either you watch where you're going, or you look at the scenery. Not both at the same time 😁.
We were lucky enough to see some vultures.
The last 2 kilometres of descent on the ridges are indeed more challenging but it's fine if you pay attention.

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Topogeo
Topogeo

We made the same mistake. You have to stay on the crest even if it's tempting to defend a little

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jbangeloglou
jbangeloglou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A sublime hike, difficult but superb!
A beautiful start on the terrace, then we leave the official trails for the entire hike.
Straight climb up to the Rougny cross (which is broken, by the way), with magnificent vultures flying above us.
Then nothing but ridges, absolutely superb!
Exposure, so avoid if you are prone to vertigo.
A difficult hike where you have to be careful throughout, walking sticks are highly recommended for safety.
Be careful around stage 7. Stay at the top of the ridge and reach the metal cross in the rock via the top of the ridge.
At one point, we descended two metres and found ourselves on crumbly rocks. We retraced our steps for 20 metres to get back on the path at the top of the ridge and reach the metal cross embedded in the rock. From there, it's easy going.
Apart from this mistake we made, there are no really technical sections. You often use your hands for support along the route and need to be sure-footed.
Pure enjoyment!

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jluca
jluca
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike in three parishes specific to Brittany. Magnificent view.
I would recommend doing it in the opposite direction to make the steep section above the Col de l'Eterpat easier, but there's no problem doing it as described.
The path is clearly marked everywhere, except for this steep section. Stay on the ridge and pass the small cross.
Some sections on the ridge, as on the lower trail, require caution. A misstep can lead to a dangerous fall, as is often the case when hiking. Nothing more.
Not recommended for people prone to vertigo, that's all.
No climbing skills required!
We did not climb up to Gargas.
Thank you for the idea for this route!

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buissonrougepap
buissonrougepap

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with absolutely magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
One small downside, as some have mentioned, is that two or three short sections along the ridge, some of which are very short, are quite dizzying. You need to be wearing very sturdy footwear. We are all aged 70 and over, and a few years ago this probably wouldn't have been a problem for us. However, we feel it is important to point this out.

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Topogeo
Topogeo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very high peaks not recommended for those who are afraid of heights. It is best to have some climbing experience. Do not attempt in bad weather. Do not venture out alone. Wear suitable footwear. If you are experienced, there are no major difficulties.

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Joëlle C1.
Joëlle C1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short tricky section on the ridge
Not recommended if you are afraid of heights

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JPC07
JPC07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a shame to describe this sublime hike as "very difficult" and thus discourage hikers who are put off by this label. I wouldn't even classify it as "difficult", but rather "moderate".The views are exceptional throughout, on all sides. Why issue such warnings, which are almost "dramatic" from 5 to 7? If you watch your step, this section is within the reach of any average hiker who is used to the mountains. Highly recommended hike: superb!

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girardin
girardin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did the Cross hike on 18 September
I was on a pilgrimage to La Salette and it was an opportunity for me to discover this place. I only went as far as elevation 1908; I did not go to the cross.

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liboisforcat
liboisforcat

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It was crowded at the end of August, and the mountain atmosphere was somewhat spoiled by the frequent loudspeaker announcements from Notre Dame de la Salette, which was not particularly aesthetically pleasing in this magnificent natural amphitheatre.

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Elofavorite
Elofavorite
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb route, but very tough on sensitive knees and ankles. From the first cross onwards and all the way to the finish, it's more of a rough track over rocks than a path. However, it's well worth the effort, as the 360° panoramic views are magnificent and it's so peaceful! Just the sound of crickets chirping and sheep bells ringing in the distance... very pleasant!
For your information, with the Gargas extension, the total distance is 9.95 km

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Bisserain73
Bisserain73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful ridge route.
Not many people on the trail, even on a beautiful Sunday in September.
Did not do the Gargas due to a late start at around 1 p.m.

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nonolerobot
nonolerobot

It's nice to hear that someone from Gap enjoys this hike; I'm from Gap myself.
Perhaps one day on the trails of the Hautes-Alpes.

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mapigap
mapigap

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent panorama! An orientation table at the summit of Gargas.

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missalpe38
missalpe38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We didn't climb to the top because my partner suffers from vertigo. Nevertheless, it's a very beautiful walk in good weather, worth it just for the view of the site of LA SALETTE. The site itself is also very pleasant to visit.

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