Summit of Croix Juliau and the hamlet of Roche in Alba-la-Romaine

This lovely hike offers magnificent viewpoints over the Montmirail Dentelles, Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies, the Vercors, the Montagne Ardéchoise, the Coiron, the Necks of Sceautres, of Roche Chérie, of Roche, and a 360° panoramic view from the summit of Croix Juliau.
The superb medieval hamlet of Roche is well worth the detour.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 492 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 489 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 552 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 174 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) From the large car park in the south of the village, follow the small road, which goes alongside the car park, in a westerly direction until you reach Chemin de Bradigous. Continue straight on for a few metres up to the crossroads.

(1) Turn left onto the path, passing between the pieces of lands until you reach a small tarmacked road which you must follow to the right, in a south-westerly direction, for about 250 m.
At the next crossroads, turn left. Cross over the small Bourdary river and then continue on this path upwards through extremely furrowed terrain. You will reach the Devois mast.

(2) Continue straight ahead opposite you, in the direction of Terre d'Aps, on the wide path going around the Bouches greenhouse; ignore the different paths heading off on the left.

(3) On reaching the Maison des Bouches, go alongside it and continue on the path, straight ahead, opposite you. The track goes downhill on the RD263. Turn right, go along the road for about 500 m, passing in front of a bus shelter.

(4) Take the small road on the left, which crosses over a small river and goes past the front of a house. Then a few metres further on, follow the path on the left. About 250 m further on, cross the Ruisseau de Chantebrun (small river) and then go along its right bank by following a path (not very well-maintained), until you reach a small lake which is a reservoir. Go along it on the left-hand side until you reach the small road in the hamlet of Saint-Philippe-le-Bas. Continue straight ahead opposite up to the crossroads.

(5) Turn right, follow the road up to the next crossroads: Croix de Saint-Philippe. Turn right onto the small road climbing upwards, which is then replaced by a path and then a track which joins a small tarmacked road.

(6) Cross over the road. Continue opposite on the path climbing up the side of the hill. Be sure to stay on this path.
At the next crow's foot junction, turn right in a north-north-west direction. Continue up to the next branching off.

(7) Épine Pass Mast: take the track on the right for a few metres, then take the track short cut on the right and continue in a north-north-east direction up to the next crossroads.

(8) Terre d'Aps Mast: to go up to the mast and back, take the track on the left for about 1.5 km up to the summit of Croix Juliau. At the next crossroads in the path, continue straight ahead opposite you up to the next crossroads.

(9) Take the path on the left for a few dozen metres then, at the mast, take the path up to the summit of Croix Juliau: geodesic marker, but no cross.
To return to point (8), you can take the short cut by continuing straight on opposite you, or take the same route back as you took to climb up to the summit. Return to point (8).

(8) Terre d'Aps: turn left and follow a steep path into the forest via well marked zigzags.
At the bottom, you will reach a plain and fields of vineyards. Follow the small tarmacked road, then the Auchier road, ignoring the different roads heading to the heart of the village of Alba.

(10) At the crossroads with Route de la Calade, turn right, passing in front of the post office and the Town Hall.

(11) Continue going along Route du Barry up to a large 90° turn.

(12) Turn right and follow Route du Jeu de Mail and, at the next crossroads, turn left onto RD236B for about 200 m.

(13) At the crossroads, turn left and head downhill into the hamlet of Roche (you can visit it freely).
Follow Rue du Vallat and turn left at the end, and then left again and follow along Rue de la Double. At the next junction, turn right and go around the neck of Saint-Jean rock via Rue du Four.

(14) Take a passageway on the right through the houses, and continue on the path going along the side of the Escoutay river.

(15) When you reach the remains of the pillars of a small bridge over the river, carried away by severe weather, turn left onto a pretty path climbing up to Place du Château. Go through the gate and you will reach a crossroads.

(16) Turn right. Continue in the direction of the chateau and go alongside it, continue on for several metres and then turn left and go down towards Rue de la Calade and the Town Hall.

(17) After the Town Hall, at the crossroads, turn right onto the small road which takes you back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 201 m - Car park near the Maison de Retraite
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 202 m - Crossroads, left
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 248 m - Mât de Devois, straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 253 m - Maison des Bouches, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 4.53 - alt. 212 m - Crossing: left
  6. 5 : km 4.97 - alt. 227 m - crossroads, right
  7. 6 : km 6.47 - alt. 355 m - Crossroads, right
  8. 7 : km 7.88 - alt. 481 m - Right, track - Col de l'Epine (468m)
  9. 8 : km 9.74 - alt. 489 m - Mât de Terre d'Aps, left
  10. 9 : km 11.02 - alt. 539 m - Left, then right
  11. 10 : km 15.72 - alt. 201 m - Crossroads with paved slanting street, right
  12. 11 : km 15.84 - alt. 207 m - Town Hall
  13. 12 : km 15.94 - alt. 209 m - Carrefour
  14. 13 : km 16.21 - alt. 189 m - Downhill Hameau de la Roche, left
  15. 14 : km 16.55 - alt. 176 m - Left Chemin des bords de l' - Escoutay (rivière)
  16. 15 : km 16.83 - alt. 181 m - Chemin du Mal Conseil, left
  17. S/E : km 17.64 - alt. 201 m - Car park near the Maison de Retraite

Practical information

Twins

In the nearby area

- Hamlet of Roche
- Old village and Château d'Alba-la-Romaine
- Remains of Gallo-Roman city
- Museum

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
JLC30
JLC30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk with beautiful views. No particular difficulty, although you do have to be careful on the descent. Thank you for this hike.

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Renardou84
Renardou84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

For the descent, follow the markings on the trees step by step to avoid falling.

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gerard mounier
gerard mounier

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice trip.
thank you

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Allison2
Allison2

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This hike can be exceptional if the sky is really clear.

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andre69
andre69

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very steep descent at the end of the route (200m drop over 620m of path) from point 8 direction 10 (centre Alba), known as Bas Juliau. Poles recommended, even on dry ground.

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LE LAUPIARD
LE LAUPIARD

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk. Errors in the description at the start: turn left into the Chemin du Clos. The start is a bit hazardous and lacks signage. Further on the path is blocked, but we were able to recover by making a diversion and crossing a private area. Apart from that, it's a lovely walk to do in spring: flowers, birds and not too hot. Thank you very much.

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cmouesca
cmouesca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice hike, and the description is spot on. The steep descent back to Alba really requires poles.
Many thanks to the author.

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serenite
serenite

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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vanierjp
vanierjp

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The path is impassable (trees, branches, brambles blocking the path) between point 4 and point 5.
Follow the road to the left just before the bus shelter and follow the signs at point 5.

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lbosson
lbosson

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Quite a pleasant walk at the beginning of May, the plains are green and it's a pleasure to stroll around the vineyards. No great difficulty, although the descent into the forest can be a little steep, so don't hesitate to take poles if you have bad knees!
A 2.5-hour jog.

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TOULAUD'RANDO
TOULAUD'RANDO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice, varied walk with few difficulties. Beautiful view from the geodesic marker.

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Piwhy
Piwhy

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Apart from the summit of the Croix Juliau, which offers a fine view of the Coiron and the basalt flows, the walk is long and of little interest.

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michel42500
michel42500

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

As the presentation indicates, this is a pleasant tour, well found and very interesting both for its natural landscapes and for the historical interest of Alba La Romaine (visit its castle with its eventful and interesting history ).
Some of the information in the description would benefit from being more precise, but it's not easy to do it perfectly either.
with a gps no problem.

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ROBERTO26200
ROBERTO26200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The hardest part was finding the starting point, especially when it was market day; aim for the old people's home or the car park for camper vans.
There were no particular difficulties, but we didn't spend too long at the summit as it was freezing cold;
A good way to get back into the swing of things before more strenuous hikes.

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michel.dussere@gmail.com
michel.dussere@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful 360° views of the snow-covered Alps, Ventoux and Mézenc. Historical interest in the village and hamlet of La Roche Thank you.

Michel

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