Refine your search for walks in Villars-les-Dombes
Villars-les-Dombes walks
The Bozonnières route in Bouligneux
Tourist office
4.38 mi
+20 ft
-20 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Bouligneux (Ain)
An easy and enjoyable walk to discover the ponds of the Dombes and its birdlife.
The Plantay Tower
4.03 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Le Plantay (Ain)
A hike that combines nature and heritage, with beautiful panoramic views, ponds and the Plantay Tower.
Ponds and Notre Dame des Dombes Abbey
Visorando Member
10.65 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Le Plantay (Ain)
I had wanted to walk through this flat countryside with its multitude of ponds for a long time. I suggest this route, which starts at Notre-Dame des Dombes Abbey. It will take you past some beautiful ponds and local farms. Depending on the season, you will be accompanied by the songs of a multitude of birds. Frogs will jump out of the water as you pass by and curious cows will come to meet you.
The Grand Birieux Sensitive Natural Area
7.28 mi
+49 ft
-49 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Ain
A hike from Saint Marcel to the Étang du Grand Birieux Nature Reserve and its observatory.
Please note that the hike is mainly on tarmac with a 100m section on the D2 road.
Étang Chardonnet circuit in Sainte-Olive
3.49 mi
+16 ft
-16 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Sainte-Olive (Ain)
A pleasant walk typical of the Dombes. Mainly on tarmac but with very little traffic; you are on secondary roads. Along the route there is a high concentration of ponds, which are full of water in 2020. The view of the ponds is unobstructed and you will encounter many different birds. The walk is punctuated by a variety of landscapes: ponds, fields, copses and even a view of the Beaujolais region.
The Vernange Pond
4.97 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Monthieux (Ain)
An easy walk leading to the Vernange Sensitive Natural Area with its observatory. Don't forget your binoculars.
Route from Étang des Vavres to Saint-André-de-Corcy
7.65 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-André-de-Corcy (Ain)
Through fields and woods, discover manor houses, equestrian centres and, amongst other sights, the Étang des Vavres with its ducks, swans and extensive reed beds. The Étang des Vavres is under cultivation in 2023.
The Bois de Chassagne
9.41 mi
+187 ft
-187 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Chalamont (Ain)
A hike with a variety of points of interest: traditional farms, ponds, fields and forest.
Circuit of the 11 lakes in the Dombes
7.38 mi
+36 ft
-36 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Nizier-le-Désert (Ain)
This walk takes you through typical Dombes landscapes such as ponds, fields and copses. There are many ponds to see, making this route particularly interesting. Remember to bring your binoculars.
Loop around Saint-Éloi
4.74 mi
+302 ft
-292 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Saint-Éloi (Ain)
This easy circuit around the commune of Saint-Éloi in the Ain department will give you a glimpse of the Dombes region.
It also offers plenty of geocaching opportunities for enthusiasts.
La Pierre Brune walk
5.16 mi
+194 ft
-177 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Rancé (Ain)
This walk combines nature and heritage. In the centre of the village of Rancé, discover the oldest and most important witness to the history of the commune, the Romanesque church, which has been renovated several times. You will discover the wash house, a testament to the 19th-century hygiene movement, as well as the Pierre Brune, a block of granite, the local "big rock".
Léchères Pond
4.99 mi
+30 ft
-30 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Varax (Ain)
An easy route that takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes. Bring your binoculars.
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne Arboretum
1.06 mi
+453 ft
-312 ft
0h 55
Easy
Departure from Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne (Ain)
Visit the Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne arboretum, which features many different species of trees. You can also explore a pond teeming with dragonflies of various colours in spring. A short and pleasant visit.
Vieux Jonc route
3.46 mi
+102 ft
-102 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Varax (Ain)
This walk takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes and crosses the Vieux Jonc twice.
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Relevant
10.66 mi
+413 ft
-397 ft
5h 15
Easy
Departure from Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne (Ain)
Take a stroll through the valleys and plateau from this splendid little town.
From the medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne to the arboretum
7.46 mi
+213 ft
-230 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne (Ain)
Discover the medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and its surroundings: passing through the medieval streets and the castle, you will discover the natural area of Prés Gaudet before exploring the Relevant valley, ending with a stroll through the arboretum.
From Bois des Pommes to Étang Dimanche
4.38 mi
+72 ft
-69 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Mionnay (Ain)
An easy family walk that starts at Mionnay Station, crosses the Bois des Pommes and leads to Étang Dimanche.
The Grand Rieux in Civrieux
4.50 mi
+52 ft
-52 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Civrieux (Ain)
A pleasant route around the village of Civrieux.
Around Pérouges
5.72 mi
+427 ft
-427 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Pérouges (Ain)
This loop will take you out of the medieval town to discover the varied landscape of the region, with woods, crops, a few old houses and panoramic views. The 9 km route is easy to follow and well marked in orange.
Along the Cottey from Lac Neyton
5.34 mi
+341 ft
-344 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Dagneux (Ain)
Family walk above Montluel, along the Cotey stream, between woods and farmland.
Circular around Bressolles from Lac Neyton
9.82 mi
+535 ft
-541 ft
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Dagneux (Ain)
Most of the walk is on paths through the woods or along farm tracks. There are a few short sections on country roads.
For those who want to diversify their activities, there is the option of a day's fishing at Lac Neyton.
On the edge of the Étangs des Dombes lakes, starting from Meximieux
5.45 mi
+322 ft
-312 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Meximieux (Ain)
This is an easy, short walk along quiet coastal paths in Meximieux, partly through farmland and partly through deciduous hedgerows. It is also a way to get close to some of the ponds in the Dombes and see lots of birds. At the Virgin of Saint-Sulpice, a beautiful panorama opens up before us, revealing the Ain plain, the Bugey and the Rhône, and even the Alps, depending on the weather.
Route country on the Saône plateau in Montanay
3.67 mi
+108 ft
-118 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Montanay (Rhône)
A lovely route through fields on the Val de Saône plateau on the outskirts of the village of Montanay. Good country lanes, limited elevation gain, but with one or two fairly steep and earthy sections (passing through valleys) that can be slippery in wet weather.
