Saint Pancras Cross from Suze

de fr

The massif is a perched syncline. This small mountain offers exceptional views of the Diois and southern Vercors regions.
On a clear day, there is a superb view of the Grand Veymont, the 3 Becs, Roche Colombe and the syncline of the Saou forest.
Chapel and viewpoint at the Croix de Saint-Pancrace.

Details

n°114220
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 266 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 716 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 450 m
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Photos

Saint Pancras Cross
Ridge trail
Panorama of the ridge
the Gervanne Valley seen from the ridges

Description of the walk

By car, drive through the hamlet of Les Jaux de Suze and take the road that climbs up to the old village.
The car park is located just before the large livestock building.

(S/E) At the entrance to the village, in the hairpin bend, continue straight ahead (road on the left), yellow markings on the rock.
Pass the last houses, and the small road becomes a path.

(1) At the "Les 3 Châteaux" crossroads, leave the path that climbs up to the cross and continue straight ahead on the path that climbs towards La Chapelle, following the curve.

(2) At the chapel, take the path that climbs to the right, signposted La Croix.
On the climb, turn right at some point, following the signs for La Croix.
When you reach the Saint-Pancrace valley, you will have a beautiful view of the western slope. After a while, leave the path that descends (signposted "Suze").

(3) Take the path that branches off to the left and follows the edge of the mountain to the Croix de Saint-Pancrace.

(4) At the cross, there is an orientation table. Exceptional view: be careful of the cliffs.
In front of the cross, go back down the path.

(1) At the cairns, turn left to return to the old village (S/E) via the same path you took on the way there.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 450 m - Parking in front of the large livestock building
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 501 m - The 3 castles
  3. 2 : km 2.95 - alt. 650 m - The Chapel
  4. 3 : km 3.47 - alt. 691 m - Signposting in Suze
  5. 4 : km 4.62 - alt. 675 m - Saint Pancras Cross
  6. S/E : km 5.77 - alt. 450 m - Car park

Notes

Yellow and green markings.

IGN Top 25 map no. 3137 OT Die-Crest or map extract from Visorando.

Worth a visit

This hike can be adapted and done in either direction, but the route I have chosen has a less steep gradient.
It is also possible to simply go around the mountain without having to climb up to La Croix.

The old village of Suze, with its ramparts and keep.

A few kilometres away are the hilltop villages of Cobonne and Montclar sur Gervanne.
The Druise waterfall, the Omblèze Gorges and the Croix de Vellan in Plan de Baix.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 62 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 24629922

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Much of the woodland is privately owned. The Visorando app is important: route directions are sometimes non-existent.

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User 26678813

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike alternating between shaded forest paths and walks along ridges with beautiful views of the Vercors mountains.

Be careful, however, as halfway along the route, at points 3 and 4, the path disappears because it is not maintained.
This involves a slightly perilous 200-metre stretch through scrubland; however, by following the ridge line below, you will be able to pick up the trail again and continue to the cross.

REM: The last part (descent after the cross) can be slippery in wet weather.

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lolfudo
lolfudo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike with varied landscapes (sometimes beautiful forest, sometimes open views). Gradual climb to the cross, then a steep but short descent. Worth doing again

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LoDo 69
LoDo 69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that could be classified as easy, but I would rate it as moderate: there are some fairly vertiginous sections along the ridges for those who are afraid of heights, and the descent is quite steep.
On the other hand, the views are breathtaking.

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Climb in the shade, beautiful ridge path, views of the foothills of the Vercors with panoramic table, steep descent in the sun during hot weather. No hikers, but saw a chamois. Path poorly maintained, watch out for tick bites

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Cathy49
Cathy49

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike to avoid during hot weather!
Very beautiful view of the valley and the Vercors mountains.
Bring hiking trousers and shoes as the trail is not maintained...
Quite steep, but no problem with our dogs.

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Celinedrome
Celinedrome

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this on a Sunday morning at 3 a.m. and didn't see anyone else, either going up or coming down.
The route was easy to follow. After the chapel, the red cross made us hesitate, but apparently it's for mountain bikers. The climb is steep in places, but the succession of magnificent views is well worth the effort!
The air smelled of thyme and wild lavender on the ridges. We weren't alone: there were vultures, badgers and rabbits. Be careful, the sun is strong, so bring a hat and sunscreen
We'll definitely be back!

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mariethe.
mariethe.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to follow with GPS as there are few signposts
Be careful near the cliffs
Beautiful views

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Pg38
Pg38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful short hike, with a gentle climb and a superb view from the cross.

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marie celine
marie celine

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike in the forest with lovely views. Well signposted up to the chapel, then no signs or markings. Hike completed with GPS without any problems. The climb up and down from the cross is quite steep. Signposting could be improved

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jaz69
jaz69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this route on a sunny Saturday without seeing anyone else, and even though the descent after La Croix is quite steep, we enjoyed the gentle climb in the shade. The sections along the edge of the cliff are impressive, but honestly, unless there are strong gusts of wind, there is no particular risk, even with children (aged 7-8 and above). The path along the ridge is not marked, but it is impossible to miss.
What a treat this walk was!

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Flo26
Flo26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike
Most of the climb is in the shade
Once you reach the top, the view is magnificent
The climb is well worth the effort
On a clear day, you can see the Grand Veymont
Superb view of the 3 peaks 😍
We did this hike on a Saturday and didn't see anyone else

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Flo26
Flo26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike
Most of the climb is in the shade
Once you reach the top, the view is magnificent
The climb is well worth the effort

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Rosema
Rosema

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We didn't encounter any particular difficulties. It was very windy on the ridge. Caution is advised with children.

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doumé69
doumé69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The return to Suze after St Pancrace follows a path marked with a red cross, which may discourage some as the path often runs along the side of a cliff and can be unpredictable at times. However, it would be a shame to abandon this route as it is the most interesting section with beautiful views. A GPS device is reassuring, but please be careful, especially if the ground is wet.

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