Les Roches - Crestois

Family walk behind the highest keep in France: you will walk along ridges and enjoy an unforgettable panorama of the Vercors mountains, the Trois Becs and the Ardèche plateau.

Details

2308913
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 180 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 180 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 410 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 241 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Dauphiné
  • ⚐ District: Crest (26400)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.731364° / E 5.025906°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3037SB, 3137OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Tour de Crest car park, Chemin du Donjon.

(S/E) At the southern end of the Tour car park, head north on the path along the edge of the car park. At the three-way junction, take the leftmost path (signposted "Chemin des Crêtes"). Walk along the reservoir, then follow the ridge to the gate blocking access to the field. Go around the field on the right for 50 metres.

(1) Return to the ridge (climbing wall) and continue climbing to the highest point. Descend the slope opposite.

(2) At the bottom, at the crossroads, take the path on the right for 100 metres, then take the path on the right again. Continue along the wide path on the right towards Les Sétérées, pass the Jouvet farm and continue in the same direction.

(3) Ignore the track on the right leading to the campsite and take the grassy path slightly to the left. Continue along Chemin Sainte-Catherine (tarmac).

(4) Turn right onto Chemin des Moyennes-Sétérées (tarmac). At the hairpin bend, continue straight ahead along the dirt track for 50 metres.

(5) Descend to the left along the grassy path, then climb up Chemin de la Tour on the right. This will take you back to the Tour car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 271 m - Tour car park
  2. 1 : km 0.88 - alt. 360 m - Crête (climbing wall)
  3. 2 : km 2.13 - alt. 356 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.15 - alt. 346 m - Grassy path on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.67 - alt. 289 m - Chemin (road) des Moyennes-Sétérées
  6. 5 : km 4.11 - alt. 261 m - Grassy path on the left
  7. S/E : km 4.5 - alt. 271 m - parking at the Tower.

Notes

We strongly recommend that you take IGN map no. 3037SB with you. Bring sufficient food and water and wear suitable clothing for walking. Hikers must be self-sufficient, but professional guides are available if needed. Emergency numbers: 18 or 112.

Information from the Coeur de Drôme – Pays de Crest et de Saillans Tourist Office: 04 75 25 11 38 / accueil@coeurdedrome.com / valleedeladrome-tourisme.com

Worth a visit

HERITAGE - Crest Tower.
At 52 metres high, the Tower of Crest is the tallest medieval keep in France.
Listed as a historic monument, the tower reveals 900 years of history:
- the medieval keep (12th–14th century) with its defence systems and seigneurial residence,
- the prison tower (15th century –19th century) with its graffiti, moving testimonies from prisoners.
At the top, visitors can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view and orientation tables.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 694326

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The paths are easy to follow. A lovely walk, with quite a few ups and downs but nothing too challenging. It alternates between pretty woodland and beautiful views.
Don’t hesitate to add the descent to the old town via the ramparts path, in front of the tower. (We set off directly from the large car park at Place du Champ de Mars, on the banks of the Drôme. It adds a bit of a climb but it’s nice).

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Laurette
Laurette
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stunning views.

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fandemaubec
fandemaubec

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with superb views.

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Alison M.
Alison M.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike undertaken on a very hot evening.
Part of the route is through woodland.

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krisV
krisV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very easy walk, with no difficulties, offering beautiful views of the Three Peaks and fields full of orchids. Magnificent!

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Michel lacroix
Michel lacroix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little stroll. A visit to the tower is a must

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josser
josser

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

lovely little hike
too bad the weather was overcast

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Flo D
Flo D

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, with nice trails, single tracks, beautiful views... we just got a bit confused at the beginning trying to find the right paths, but we managed in the end!

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ramatuelle83
ramatuelle83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike done with a group of friends, beautiful to do, not too crowded, done on 15 September 2022, thanks to the author

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Kraftval
Kraftval

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views, marked in yellow. The terrain is often stony and/or a little uneven, so you often have to watch your step, which may not suit all families...The return journey ends on more pleasant ground, with a pleasant surprise awaiting you in the form of a bench (after the Jouvet farm): ideal for a picnic with views of the 3 Becs, the Glandasse in the distance (and more...).
In conclusion, this is a short hike that is definitely worth doing, despite the terrain, which may discourage younger children...
And thank you to the Drôme Department!

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Johann30
Johann30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Fairly easy route, with a few short steep climbs but nothing too difficult.
We did the hike with two children aged 7 and 10 and it took us 1 hour 15 minutes...

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BARNAVON
BARNAVON

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A rather nice route from Vaunalvay.

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filipetcaty
filipetcaty

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Follow the yellow markings and you'll be fine

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mimi+1
mimi+1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a beautiful, well-marked hike that we completed without any problems
beautiful view of the ridges, we didn't see the campsite
thank you for this hike

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Département de la Drôme
Département de la Drôme

Hello,

thank you for your feedback, which will help us improve our hiking trails. I have forwarded your message to the trail manager so that they can consider adding more signage if necessary and check the description regarding the presence or absence of a campsite.

Enjoy your hikes in Drôme!

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