Pilat from Croix du Planil

Long hike in the Pilat massif. Ideal for beautiful days in May. This hike has two main attractions. It allows you to discover the Cascade du Gier waterfall before entering a completely different world and discovering all the ridges of the Pilat. The advantage is that there are several points where it is possible to shorten this beautiful hike.

Please note: the first part through the woods is not well marked and it is easy to take the wrong path.

Details

3190864
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,016 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,017 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,429 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 841 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Croix du Planil.

(S/E) Take theGR®7to quickly reach a crossroads at the edge of the forest.

(1) Leave theGR® here and turn right onto a slight incline. Continue through the woods, ignoring the path on the left that joins theGR® to reach the hamlet of Lemoine.

(2) Continue after a 90° right turn. You will come to a four-way crossroads; stay on the path straight ahead. Continue downhill, cross the Gier river and arrive at the crossroads with the path leading to Scie du Bost.

(3) Leave this path opposite and turn left to begin the climb. Continue to the crossroads leading to the Saut du Gier.

(4) Continue straight ahead to reach the point offering a beautiful view of the Saut du Gier and the climbing site.
Return to the crossroads, turn left (at a cairn) and continue the climb, which becomes difficult. There are numerous intersections and the markings are sometimes vague. Turn right at the first intersection and left at the second (but all the paths cross the forest track further up).

(5) As a sign that you are on the right track, you will cross a forest track and pass a sign indicating the shepherd's hut. Continue climbing, crossing the forest road.

(6) When you reach the shepherd's hut, turn right onto theGR®7, then a few hundred metres further on, cross the D8.6 road to reach the Crêt de la Perdrix crossroads.

(7) Take theGR® on the right and head for the Crêt and its orientation table.

(8) Retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.

(7) Turn right, leaving theGR® (be careful not to descend too far).

(9) At the next crossroads, turn left towards Crêt de la Chèvre. Once again, enjoy the view.

(10) Then head towards Col d'Étançon, leaving the path you came up on your left.

(11) At the hut, turn right, still heading towards Col d'Étançon.

(12) Take the path slightly to the right, which climbs gently to reach Crêt d'Étançon with ease.

(13) Continue on to Crêt du Rachat.

(14) Continue on your way to the next intersection.

(15) Head towards Crêt de la Botte (the building in front of you).

(16) Crêt de la Botte is a paragliding launch site and also offers a beautiful view of the Rhône Valley. Continue your hike for about a hundred metres along the road, then turn left to rejoin the path. Almost immediately, turn right towards the car park.

(17) Once you reach the car park, continue straight ahead to climb up to Crêt de l'Œillon and its antennas. The view is breathtaking. It's a good place to rest for a while if the wind isn't too strong.

(18) Return to the car park via the same route.

(17) Continue along the path you have already taken. On your left, you will find the path that took you down from Crêt de Botte. Leave it on your left and continue straight ahead.

(15) When you reach the crossroads that led to Crêt de Botte, turn right towards Creux de la Botte. Descend slightly and ford the stream in the Sara valley. The path winds through the woods, which is very pleasant on hot days.

(19) Start climbing gently again and follow a slightly curved path on the left to reach the Shepherd's Hut. When you reach the road, follow it to the Auberge de la Jasserie, where theGR®7is signposted.

(6) Turn right and begin the descent on theGR®7. At the next junction, turn left. The path begins to descend steeply on a stony track. The start is in the sun, but you will quickly find yourself in the shade of the trees.

(20) Stay on theGR®7, leaving the forest road on your left. Be careful, there are many crossroads along the way, so stay alert and follow the markings carefully. La Croix du Planil is now signposted 3.4 km away.

(21) Continue downhill and you will eventually come to the original crossroads at the edge of the forest.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the Croix du Planil car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 846 m - Car park - Col de la Croix du Planil (846 m)
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 899 m - At the crossroads of the circular, continue straight ahead.
  3. 2 : km 1.68 - alt. 971 m - 90-degree right turn without crossing.
  4. 3 : km 3.23 - alt. 841 m - At the crossroads on the left.
  5. 4 : km 4.45 - alt. 934 m - At Le Kern, turn left (approximate signposting).
  6. 5 : km 5.22 - alt. 1,194 m - Cross the forest road
  7. 6 : km 6.15 - alt. 1,307 m - On the right (with your back to the inn). Source of the - Gier (rivière) à finaliser
  8. 7 : km 7.02 - alt. 1,400 m - Fork in the road, towards Crêt de la Perdrix.
  9. 8 : km 7.31 - alt. 1,428 m - Orientation table - Crêt de la Perdrix (1432m)
  10. 9 : km 7.78 - alt. 1,376 m - On the left, follow the sign for the ridge.
  11. 10 : km 8.27 - alt. 1,425 m - Crêt de la Chèvre (1427m)
  12. 11 : km 8.62 - alt. 1,420 m - On the right at the hut
  13. 12 : km 9.36 - alt. 1,365 m - Path opposite on the right. - Col d'Etançon (1365m)
  14. 13 : km 9.79 - alt. 1,389 m - Crêt de l'Étançon
  15. 14 : km 10.21 - alt. 1,385 m - Crêt du Rachat (1380m)
  16. 15 : km 10.51 - alt. 1,342 m - Right-hand path (climbs towards the building)
  17. 16 : km 10.89 - alt. 1,387 m - Paragliding launch point sign - Xrêt de Botte (1387m)
  18. 17 : km 11.44 - alt. 1,318 m - Car park
  19. 18 : km 11.73 - alt. 1,358 m - Orientation table - Crêt de l'Œillon (1364 m)
  20. 19 : km 14.28 - alt. 1,277 m - Crossing a stream
  21. 20 : km 16.86 - alt. 1,204 m - Opposite, enter the forest
  22. 21 : km 18.47 - alt. 1,034 m - Continue straight downhill on the GR7.
  23. S/E : km 20.36 - alt. 845 m - Car park - Col de la Croix du Planil (846 m)

Notes

Refreshments are available at the Auberge of the Shepherd's Hut.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 21320254

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route, first part with a steep climb on a tricky track.
A bit busier from La Jacerie onwards.

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Vincent Bron
Vincent Bron

Thank you for your reply, ...even though it doesn't really help me.

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bobo1291
bobo1291
• Edited:

My memories four years later are rather fragmented, but as I recall, it was before the waterfall. Kind regards. Cairns marking the path that was rarely used.

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Vincent Bron
Vincent Bron

Hello,

I did this hike at the beginning of May for the second time (the first time I started from La Scie du Bost) and, for the second time, I couldn't find the trail from the waterfall to the shepherd's hut. I navigated by sight among the rocks to find the forest track higher up.
My question: do you have to go all the way to the waterfall to find the path that goes up to the shepherd's hut?
Because on the way down, I didn't see any trail "on the left", as indicated in the description.
Thank you for your reply.

Otherwise, this walk is very pleasant, although quite strenuous. On that day, there was a lot of water (2) and crossing the Gier was difficult without getting your feet wet!
I will definitely go back to see the Gier waterfall again, but I will start from La Scie du Bost, which, as I recall, is less difficult, and I will take the opportunity to climb up to the Crêt de la Perdrix.

Vincent de Bron

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yvesdaru
yvesdaru

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. Gier waterfall is fantastic.
I split up the route so I could camp near the memorial plaque honouring the aviator who crashed in 1944. Superb view.

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Mariclor
Mariclor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views on the way there, less interesting on the way back but relaxing. Lots of rocks, but that's Pilat for you. Not many people except on the ridge. GPS is really useful in some places.

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Gaspard2004
Gaspard2004

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. I went with some friends, and we got lost at the very beginning because the signs are quite poor, but once you reach the ridges, the signs are very clear. The start of the route is quite tough, especially when you have to climb 600 metres of elevation gain in one go.
I recommend this hike, with lots of different landscapes and very pleasant.

Bonus: the Auberge de the Shepherd's Hut is very good.

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bobo1291
bobo1291

Thank you for your feedback. It was my first contribution. Hence the minor hiccups.

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Sylvain F.
Sylvain F.

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route!
Not very easy to follow, but by downloading the GPX track, you can easily get back on course.
The scenery is magnificent and I hardly saw anyone else.
I did it in the opposite direction to the one indicated, which I think makes for a gentler (but longer!) climb.
Definitely worth doing!
Thank you, bobo1291.

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Tim
Tim

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A must-do.

Done in winter (starting from Saint Chamond) and in summer, starting from Planil.
It's a long climb, but well worth the effort. Don't miss the detour to the waterfall (or you'll be missing out). From the Shepherd's Hut, don't hesitate to extend your hike to the Crêt de l'Oeillon for a nearly 360-degree view...

In winter, there was plenty of snow at the summit, and in summer, you'll be dying to lie down in the lush, soft grass.

The descent back down can seem a little monotonous towards the end when you're tired.

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FredC42
FredC42

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, partially completed (shortened at the shepherd's hut).
Be careful on the climb between points 4 and 5, where the path is barely visible despite being marked with numerous cairns.
The GPX track is therefore very welcome.

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ludovic.charvet@free.fr
ludovic.charvet@free.fr

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good. I'm really glad to have the GPX track for the first part of the route.

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FlickaPatsy
FlickaPatsy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2021
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. Very pleasant with varied landscapes. The elevation gain indicated on the trail is incorrect: it shows 725 m when in fact it is 1130 m (as indicated in the description).
It's a shame that the route doesn't go as far as the cross on the Crêt de l'Oeillon (great 360° view) and around the TDF transmitter.

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pascal.amieux
pascal.amieux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Departure at 8:30 a.m., return at 5:30 p.m. Fair weather, relatively warm.
Walk completed without GPS and without difficulty, using the Visorando map.
A very beautiful route with an almost mountainous atmosphere near the Giers waterfall. The granite cliffs are impressive and unexpected on this Pilat, which I thought was gentle. The passage over the ridges is splendid, especially in good weather like today (it was an old dream of mine to walk along all the ridges without exception!).
The route is quite busy on the ridges but not at all on the way up to the shepherd's hut and down to La Croix du Planil.

Thank you to the author for this very interesting hike.

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laurentSAP
laurentSAP

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route between the starting point and point 6 needs to be reviewed. It is poorly marked and I had to turn back several times. Furthermore, at point 4, the cairn has collapsed and is now just a pile of stones.

On the way back, from point 6 to the finish, the route also needs to be reviewed.

Otherwise, it's a very interesting hike with superb views of Pilat.

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