The Crêtes de Cruzières

Vineyards and olive groves at the foot of the Montagne de la Serre and Serre de Cruzières. Panoramic view of the Barjac plain and the Cévennes.

Details

2517827
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 263 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 265 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 372 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 183 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the end of the road in the hamlet of Lacroix, near the Manaudière lodge.

(S/E) At number 35, take the Chemin des Divols, which quickly turns into a track running alongside olive groves. After about 15 minutes' walk and 1.35 km, take a path that climbs to the left through the heath towards a dolmen.

(1) Descend and take the main path on the left, following it to the Berlette chapel (monument and place of prayer/rest).

(2) Continue towards the hamlet and enter it straight ahead via the street that ends in steps. Above, take the street to the right.

(3) Just before a right-left turn, take the path that climbs to the left and passes under a porch or archway between two houses. The path becomes a trail and slowly climbs in altitude. When you reach a wider path, turn left and you will quickly arrive at a crossroads.

(4) Take the forest track on the right and follow it to the next crossroads (Montagne de la Serre on the map).

(5) Continue right at the crossroads towards Saint-André-de-Cruzières and Barjac (signpost) and follow the ridge path to Serre de Cruzières, ignoring all crossroads and paths.

(6) Descend to the right along the path towards Saint-André-de-Cruzières.

(7) In a left-hand bend, just before a long straight descent, take the faint path that leads off to the right into the undergrowth. After passing an olive grove and an orchard, continue along the main path which descends towards a plain planted with vines. You will arrive near the Fontaine Rouvière.

(8) As you approach the houses, turn onto the path that leads to the right towards them. Cross the ford and continue along the path until you reach your destination (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 201 m - Lacroix hamlet near the Manaudière lodge
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 270 m - Dolmen
  3. 2 : km 3.37 - alt. 216 m - La Berlette
  4. 3 : km 3.68 - alt. 232 m - Les Divols - Porche
  5. 4 : km 4.56 - alt. 311 m - Forest track suitable for vehicles
  6. 5 : km 5.49 - alt. 370 m - Serre Mountain
  7. 6 : km 7.97 - alt. 370 m - Serre de Cruzières
  8. 7 : km 8.41 - alt. 363 m - Toupy Trail
  9. 8 : km 9.88 - alt. 183 m - Fontaine Rouvière
  10. S/E : km 10.32 - alt. 200 m - Lacroix hamlet near the Manaudière lodge

Notes

There are a few tables and benches at the Berlette Chapel (2).
There are no drinking water sources, shops, supply points, bars or restaurants along the route.

Worth a visit

Don't miss the short detour to the dolmen located at point (2).
There is a beautiful view at point (5), where you can see the Barjac plain to the east and the Cévennes mountain range to the west.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Kevengwen
Kevengwen

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A very beautiful and easy hike. Beautiful panoramic views from the Cruziere ridge and the hamlets we passed through are representative of Ardèche architecture.

However, after point 7, the trail disappears into the vegetation. We therefore followed a different route, which I suggest you take:

  • From point 7, continue straight downhill and then take the first path on the right.
  • Continue along this sloping path for a few hundred metres and then take another small path on the right.
  • Follow this narrow, steeply descending path to the bottom of the descent to reach an intersection.
  • Turn right again and continue along this path, which runs alongside the Toupy stream.
  • Near the Tegoul karstic cave, turn right again at an intersection.
  • After about 200 metres, at a Y junction, turn right and then immediately left to reach point 8.

I hope my description is clear.

Enjoy your walk!

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fvanmaele
fvanmaele

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

hike done on 1 October with a group of hikers in sunny weather; everyone enjoyed this hike; don't miss the dolmen, marked by a cairn
we changed the starting point and set off from the car park at St André cemetery, as we had six vehicles to park (there wasn't enough space in the hamlet of Lacroix).
the descent at the end of the route is very rocky and steep; not to be attempted in rainy weather; don't miss it, as it is poorly marked (see previous review)
otherwise, this hike is beautiful, thanks to the unobstructed views

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GjRobert
GjRobert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The main difficulty this Sunday was parking at the starting point. We were chased away by local residents even though we weren't causing any trouble, so we moved a little further up the tarmac road. Nothing too serious, really.
The hike itself was very pleasant, with great visibility and surprising views for this altitude. We only saw one other person on the route, but there was a huge pig farm just before 2. In the hamlet of Revol, we had a friendly chat with a local couple, which made us forget the farmer's "gesticulations" at the start. Nothing to say about the route, which is mostly along ridges, giving it its characteristic appeal.
So, a good day, full of beautiful photos.
Thank you.

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GjRobert
GjRobert

I'm sorry, Jean Jacques, but my review doesn't concern this hike. It concerns the route done on Tuesday 18th in Saou for the Grand and Petit Pomerolle. Hike "Les Pomerolle" I mixed up the dates and comments.
As for the Saint André hike, I will send it back later today. I am sorry for the delay. I hope you can correct it on the Visorando website.
Once again, my apologies. GjRobert.

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jacques.nys
jacques.nys

Many thanks for the comment.
I always appreciate receiving feedback on one of my hikes, even old ones!
As for the weather and the condition of the paths and trails, I'm sorry, but I'm not (yet) completely in control of those things
I am surprised, however, to see that this review indicates that the route is 'very busy'...?!?!?

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GjRobert
GjRobert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

We set off in glorious sunshine. We hadn't anticipated the icy snow still lying there despite the last two days of sunshine throughout the forest trail. But motivation helped us enjoy ourselves. The climb was a bit difficult as it was very slippery in places, but it went well and we were rewarded when we reached the top: the views between 7, 8, 9 and 10 were splendid. We had a quick snack with nine other hikers on the Grand Pomerol rock and then set off on the trail (or path) to Petit Pomerol. The descent was also a bit tough, but much less slippery than the climb as it was more exposed to the south-west. The track at the end of the route gave us a chance to rest after this wonderful walk. A light wind brought a few clouds at the end of the day.
Thank you for this circular.

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Bapou
Bapou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A rather pleasant hike. No particular difficulties. A very beautiful hike. At point 7, we found the path on the right after the marker. A very good landmark for orientation.

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redhome27
redhome27

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very few trails, mostly 4x4 tracks, except between 3 and 4. The track is not unpleasant until Divols. At 4, you can take a parallel path on the left (it goes uphill) and then continue to the Carabasse rock and back along some very pretty paths this time. On the way back from the rock, between 5 and 6, the path shown on the map has recently been widened by a bulldozer, which is a shame.

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jacques.nys
jacques.nys

Thank you for your feedback and assistance in locating point 7.
Enjoy your future hikes!
Jacques

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BalFran
BalFran
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Nice hike!
On the path near the dolmen, a cairn has been erected.
At point 7, so as not to miss the descent, I noticed a stone marker right on the path!
So there's no problem following this route.
Enjoy your walk, everyone!

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jacques.nys
jacques.nys

Good evening everyone, thank you for testing this hike.
I'm really sorry that point 7 caused problems for quite a few of you.
I'm not sure how else to describe it. It's always best to take the GPS track with you (on a device that can display the track and detect your position) and, as you approach point 7, pay particular attention to the direction you need to take. Personally, I've gotten into the habit of loading the hike I plan to do onto the Visorando mobile app and caching the tiles and/or maps I need so that I can find my way around safely (= without an internet connection).
Happy hiking, everyone.
Best regards.
Jacques

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Chavillon
Chavillon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In fact, at the end of the route from the Cruzieres ridge, there were no more landmarks and I misinterpreted the description; I didn't think it was necessary to take out my compass and ended up on the road at the Saint Sauveur campsite. This resulted in a detour back via the Mas Rose path.

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emilienannie
emilienannie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pay attention to point 7. If you have a GPS, that's better, as it's quite a steep descent.You can extend this route by starting from the cemetery in St André-de-Cruzières and heading towards Clairac to reach the hamlet of Lacroix. To return to point 8, turn left and then, at the crossroads, turn left again towards Le Mas Rose on a path. When you reach Le Mas Rose, turn right towards the cemetery, then go around it.

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josyane.d@hotmail.fr
josyane.d@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Overall, a pleasant walk, varied and scenic.
We also missed point 7 and had to go back up to find the small path. No problems with the rest of the route.

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MOUSTIC31
MOUSTIC31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Beautiful hike along the ridges with lovely views and a refreshing breeze.

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