Le Pré de Cinq Sous by Pierre Rousse

Car park at Passage du Tour (several spaces available)

(S/E) From the car park, continue eastwards towards Tête d’Homme for about 200 m. Look out on the left for the start of a path marked by a sign saying “Le sentier de Pierre Rousse”.

(1) Take this path. The route is well signposted at the start with “Le sentier de Pierre Rousse” signs and red markings. It is then very well marked and climbs quite steeply (beautiful views over the Vallon des Tourniers, the Montagne de Musan and the cliffs as far as Pierre Chauve). After several hairpin bends, it skirts the cliffs of the Rochers des Jeries and climbs up to Pierre Rousse via its northern slope. About 200 m after the bend to the north, as the path now climbs more gently, you’ll reach a fork.

(2) Do not take the path coming in from the right (not marked on the map), but continue straight on. Another hundred metres or so further on, there is another fork (path marked on the map); take the left-hand path. After another hundred metres or so, you will reach another fork (the paths are now much wider).

(3) Turn right, and stay on the main path until you reach a crossroads on a flat area, with a large container serving as a hut on the right.

(4) Continue straight on along the path, which makes a first turn to the left, facing the rocky outcrop marking the Pré des Fourmis. After a short descent and a small pass, you’ll reach a wide track.

(5) Cut across this track and take the path opposite (marked by cairns) which climbs up the ridge. Be careful not to take the track just below (logging operation). Starting on the ridge and sometimes quite steep, it then winds along the slope towards the east beneath the Pré des Fourmis. After about 1000 m, it turns left and reaches the signpost for “Saragaillard” at the foot of a remarkable beech tree covered in inscriptions...

(6) Turn left towards “Pré de Cinq Sous”. After passing a tin hut on the left, the path reaches the bottom of the Pré de Cinq Sous (signpost). Climb up the Pré, straight up the slope towards the cliffs and Pas Pourceau (very clearly visible path). The climb is steep... At Pas Pourceau (signpost indicating the^45th parallel), turn right towards Pas de la Pierre and make your way to the top of the cliffs (take great care). Continue southwards, admiring the remarkable views of both the Vercors and the Rhône, until you reach the highest point of the Montagne de Musan at 1,295 m (marker).

(7) Then turn back and head down the Pré to Saragaillard.

(6) Take the path to the left of the famous beech tree, towards "Vaireires". This path, marked in yellow, is sometimes steep and very slippery in wet weather (ropes are strung up in places to hold on to and prevent slipping!), and descends below the cliffs through areas that are sometimes beautifully moss-covered. After about 2000 m, you’ll reach a fork.

(8) Continue left, following the yellow markings (the path on the right, which is unmarked, descends the Ravin des Goulets and may allow you to shorten the hike). After about 300 to 400 m, the path leads onto a wide logging track (cairn). Turn right onto the track and head down to the Grand-Font (track junction), aptly named, as you’ll have to wade through the mud and risk slipping...

(9) Take the steep, muddy climb to the left... after this final climb of about 100 metres, you’ll reach the signpost for “Vaireires” (hunting shelter above on the right).

(10) Turn right towards “Champ Riant” and “Beauregard-Baret” (follow the yellow markings back to the start of the walk). The path, which is very pleasant along the side of Montagne du Sey, winds down after a few bends onto the wide track below the Cascade du Dégoutte-Eau.

(11) Turn right and stay on the path descending the Ravin de l’Escalon to the Passage du Tour (the point where the path passes the signpost for “Champ-Riant”), a distance of approximately 2 km (S/E).

No water along the route.
Good footwear and walking poles recommended.
Paths and trails can be very slippery and muddy in wet weather (best avoided...).
Take great care near the cliffs.

Exceptional views from the climb up to Pierre Rousse on the Montagne de Musan (cliffs) to Pierre Chauve, as well as the Ravin des Tourniers. At the summit, views to the east over the Vercors as far as the Grand Veymont, and to the west over the Rhône Valley and the Massif Central.
Crossing the^45th parallel at Pas Pourceau.
A remarkable beech tree at Saragaillard.