The Crosses of Bren

A marked circular in the Drome des Collines, with beautiful views of the Vercors and Mont Saint-Gerbier-de-Jonc, passing through the undergrowth.
Discover the Blue Cross and Red Cross.
Partially shaded route.

Details

21303261
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 255 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 253 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 411 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 253 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the village of Bren in the car park opposite the town hall.

(S/E) Take the yellow-marked road opposite the town hall to the Combe de Chaloray signpost.

(1) Turn right, staying on the yellow trail, then pass in front of a beautiful stone farmhouse. Continue along the grassy path that follows the road. Climb up to the right into the undergrowth. When you come out of the woods, pass in front of the Roche building. You will then reach the Combe de Pelorset signpost.

(2) Turn left towards La Croix Bleue until you reach La Souche farm.

(3) Continue straight ahead, following the yellow markings until you reach a four-way crossroads.

(4) Continue right on the main path until you reach the bottom of Combe Gesserine and find the Verrières signpost.

(5) Turn left and begin another climb. Wind your way through woods and clearings until you reach a crossroads with a large oak tree.

(6) Continue climbing by taking the left-hand path to reach the Red Cross.

(7) Begin the descent through the marked undergrowth, taking the yellow-marked path. You will reach the Chemin de Saint-Andéol signpost. Turn left to reach the Combe de Chaloray signpost.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the Bren car park opposite the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 286 m - Car park at Bren Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.98 - alt. 279 m - Combe de Chaloray signpost
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 349 m - Combe de Pelorset signpost
  4. 3 : km 2.42 - alt. 392 m - La Souche
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 387 m - Four-way crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.2 - alt. 253 m - Les Verrieres signpost
  7. 6 : km 5.92 - alt. 350 m - Large oak tree
  8. 7 : km 6.23 - alt. 364 m - Red Cross
  9. S/E : km 8.28 - alt. 286 m - Car park at Bren Town Hall

Notes

No water source.
Muddy in wet weather.
Partially shaded course.

Worth a visit

Saint-Laurent fountain at the village exit.
Blue Cross and Red Cross.
View of the Vercors.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Emmanuel26
Emmanuel26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant short hike, with sections along quiet country roads. I can confirm that the path to the north is very rutted and easier to navigate with walking sticks.

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SadouxS
SadouxS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant and easy hike to follow with the Visio Rando app.
Part of it was quite muddy despite the lack of rain for some time. Take care in wet weather.

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jldequin
jldequin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No major difficulties, route alternating between wooded areas and views of the Vercors and Ardèche.
A short stretch along the road allows you to admire the beautiful houses in the village of Bren.

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MarieArdeche
MarieArdeche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy and accessible hike. One section in the Garde woods is worth mentioning: it is very slippery and enclosed. We walked through the undergrowth along this difficult part. Beautiful panoramic views of the snow-covered Vercors.

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Geghirin
Geghirin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route comprising 2 km of tarmac road. The view of the Ardèche Mountains and the Vercors is magnificent. Please note that in the Bois de la Garde, on the descent, part of the path is very damaged (deep ditch, muddy and slippery section) during wet weather.
Easy route between ridges and undergrowth.

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philippe bleton
philippe bleton
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 1 January 2024. Some beautiful views of the Vercors and the Massif Central. But much of it is on roads and in forests. Be careful, the descents on the north side are extremely muddy and slippery. In wet weather, do not venture there without walking sticks and if you are afraid of falling.
Thanks to the author for sharing this hike.

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le_skwi
le_skwi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good, even on hot days thanks to the numerous passages through the woods.
Completed in 2 hours and 20 minutes with children aged 7 and 10 (who are used to walking)

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jcmp3
jcmp3

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Partially completed hike with the family, with beautiful views of the Ardèche mountains.
For parking, it is best to drive 300 metres along the marked route, where there are several parking spaces
available (near the St Laurent fountain).

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MBK 854
MBK 854

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that didn't require too much effort, as it was really hot that day, even at 8 a.m.! I completed it in less than three hours, including a 20-minute break. Easy parking and a charming village!

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fafarouge
fafarouge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice, good walk that often takes place in the woods

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chantal Pellet
chantal Pellet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from Marsaz on foot to reach Bren, which significantly increased the distance we covered, as we ended up walking 17.6 kilometres in total! We really enjoyed all the shaded sections through the woods because, having set off at 2.30 p.m., we found it very hot on the sunny sections. We would therefore advise against doing this hike in the early afternoon when it is very hot; it is better to do it in the morning. Otherwise, it's a beautiful walk with lovely views in places and pretty woodland, quite a few climbs and descents, but it's pleasant and not difficult if you walk at your own pace and stop for a short break when necessary. The estimated time of 3 hours seemed very generous to us at the start, but given the elevation gain, this is indeed the time you need to allow, including breaks. We are very satisfied with the hike and your explanatory sheet, which we found extremely helpful. Thank you very much

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leodis
leodis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, ideal for a hot, sunny day as much of it is in the shade of the undergrowth. Beautiful views. Easy-to-follow instructions and map, which are also necessary as the trail is not always marked at junctions...
A very peaceful route; we didn't see a soul on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
Thank you very much!

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JLMS
JLMS
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Nice walk. Nothing to say about the guidebook.
Easy to follow

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JLMS
JLMS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Lovely route. Lovely view.

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