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.

Technical sheet

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

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 180 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 180 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 410 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 241 m

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.

Practical information

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

In the nearby area

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
fandemaubec
fandemaubec

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk with superb views.

Automatically translated

Alison M.
Alison M.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

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

Automatically translated

Bouliste
Bouliste

A very pleasant route for a short walk

Automatically translated

krisV
krisV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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

Automatically translated

Bouliste
Bouliste

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant route for a short walk

Automatically translated

Michel lacroix
Michel lacroix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

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

Automatically translated

josser
josser

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

lovely little hike
too bad the weather was overcast

Automatically translated

Flo D
Flo D

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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!

Automatically translated

ramatuelle83
ramatuelle83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

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

Automatically translated

Kraftval
Kraftval

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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!

Automatically translated

Johann30
Johann30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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...

Automatically translated

BARNAVON
BARNAVON

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hello,

A rather nice route from Vaunalvay.

Automatically translated

filipetcaty
filipetcaty

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Follow the yellow markings and you'll be fine

Automatically translated

mimi+1
mimi+1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
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

Automatically translated

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!

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.