Aqueduct, view of the Alps and Madone from Yzeron

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A beautiful circular walk starting from the village of Yzeron, alternating between forest paths and clear views of Lyon and the Alps. In good weather, there is an exceptional view of the Alps: you can easily recognise Mont Blanc, the Belledonne massif, the Chartreuse, the Vercors and even (for those in the know) the Meije!
Part of the route follows the old (buried) aqueduct of Yzeron, which supplied Lyon with water in Gallo-Roman times (there are very informative signs along the route).

Details

n°477145
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 269 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 268 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 854 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 660 m
Downloads
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Photos

The MJC Randonneurs group from Bellegarde Poussieu to St Martin en Haut
The Alps seen from the Saint Clair chapel
Passage of the aqueduct under Le Rozard
View over Lyon

Description of the walk

You can park in the carpool parking lot located on Grande Rue, just before the town hall.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, turn right towards the village.
At the village square, take the second street (Chemin du Châtel) which descends quite steeply to the right.

(1) Turn right onto the departmental road (D489). Stay on this road for about 300 metres.

(2) Take the small paved road that climbs up to the left of the departmental road. An old quarry is visible on the left side of the road (climbing is prohibited, as indicated by a sign!).

(3) Ignore the road that climbs up to the left and stay on the road on the hillside towards the Esselards lodge. The small road turns into a dirt track. It winds its way up the hillside, gradually entering the forest. You are walking on the old Yzeron aqueduct.

(4) The path arrives at a clear crossroads. Ignore the path that climbs up to the left. Also ignore the two paths that descend to the right and take the second path on the left that remains on the hillside.

(5) Just before you reach a stream that crosses the path, take the path that climbs to the left. This will take you to the Soupat farm. Ignore the small road that branches off to the right (point 699) and continue straight ahead.

(6) About 200m after the bend, take the small path that branches off to the right. Turn left at the first crossroads and continue straight ahead (ignore theGR® path that branches off to the right). Continue until you reach the departmental road.

(7) Cross the road and follow the small sunken path that runs to the right of the road.

(8) You will arrive at the ruins of the old Saint-Clair Chapel. Take the road opposite you that leads to the hamlet of Saint-Clair. Continue straight ahead, leaving the hamlet on your right. At point 816, several paths leave the road. Take the one in front of you that climbs towards the forest. This path leads you to the Madone d'Yzeron.

(9) A path with several tracks descends very steeply towards Yzeron. Be sure to take the paths that branch off to the left. You will descend onto the RD113.

(10) Follow it for 100 m to the right. In the bend, a path descends on the left. Follow it into the village.
You will find yourself on the D489.

(1) Go up Chemin du Châtel and then take the same path as at the start to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 710 m - Carpool parking lot located on Grande Rue
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 689 m - On the right, take the road to - Yzeron (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 669 m - Road going up to the left
  4. 3 : km 1 - alt. 693 m - Head towards Les Esselards. - Aqueduc Romain d'Yzeron (de Craponne)
  5. 4 : km 3.78 - alt. 674 m - Second path on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.72 - alt. 667 m - Path going up on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.56 - alt. 748 m - Path on the right-hand side of the road
  8. 7 : km 7.03 - alt. 833 m - Crossing the D113
  9. 8 : km 7.64 - alt. 832 m - Chapelle Saint Clair
  10. 9 : km 9.1 - alt. 853 m - Virgin of Yzeron
  11. 10 : km 9.66 - alt. 762 m - Follow the D113 on the right.
  12. S/E : km 10.49 - alt. 710 m - Carpool parking lot located on Grande Rue

Notes

Departure from the village of Yzeron.
You can park in the carpool parking lot located on Grande Rue, just before the town hall.

Worth a visit

  • Village of Yzeron
  • Yzeron Aqueduct
  • Saint-Clair Chapel

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 88 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
mla69
mla69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I agree with a very recent review by another hiker: a lovely, easy walk (the descent from ‘La Madone’ towards Yzeron is steep). It was a shame about the view of the Alps on the day of the walk, but the countryside in full spring bloom was magnificent.

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ASSG
ASSG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk (except for the descent from "La Madone" towards Yzeron – make sure you have walking poles!!!), it was a shame about the view of the Alps on the day of the walk (the distant peaks were obscured)

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User 9558712

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along a pleasant route through the trees. It’s of historical interest and offers magnificent views of the Lyon metropolitan area and the Alps. Between points 5 and 7, there are no real difficulties, though the going does get a bit steeper. Take your time if you’re not particularly fit.

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BV61
BV61

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I would recommend parking at the Hikers’ Car Park (75 spaces) on Chemin du Planil, Yzeron

A lovely walk along varied paths in glorious sunshine with clear skies and lovely views of the Alps, picnic at Crêt de la Madonne. After Crêt de la Madonne at point 9, be sure to take the path on the left and follow the yellow markings; steep descent – walking poles recommended (do not take the path marked with a Yellow Cross as it is private property).
An easy hike to follow using the app. Thanks to the author

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jmb4269
jmb4269

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk. No particular difficulties. As expected.
Just a little confusing in terms of directions on the last kilometre.

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manuel.fonseca
manuel.fonseca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant and captivating hike with easily accessible paths and few roads.
When the weather is good, this route offers magnificent panoramic views of the Lyon region and the Alps.
A variety of landscapes unfold as you pass through the forest.
I'm still a big fan of this hike; this is the second time I've done it.
Enjoy a snack break at the little St-Clair chapel.

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runner69600
runner69600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, but be careful in summer as the stream indicated is dry and we got lost.
We found the route again using the interactive map. This hike can be done in summer as it is very shaded.

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FILY
FILY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, mostly shaded walk with no major difficulties. Beautiful views of Yzéron and the Rhône valley.

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User 26082614

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good route with plenty of shade. The path is well signposted and offers beautiful scenery.
The end of the trail is a bit tricky, with a rocky descent.

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MJC Bellegarde Poussieu
MJC Bellegarde Poussieu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A group of hikers from the Bellegarde Poussieu MJC, on a weekend hike at the Orée du Bois gite, to discover this beautiful region that we didn't know.
Two groups: one of 17 people who did a version of the 10.490 km DC 269 (route N°477145)
and one of 13 people who did 14.520 Kms DC 473 (track no. 75587723).
Very good
Sincerely
Michel Saunier

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User 25877678

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A parish specific to Brittany. The paths are varied and very clean.

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MJC Bellegarde Poussieu
MJC Bellegarde Poussieu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk in the sunshine

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baboutravel
baboutravel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

superb route, I loved it! very little tarmac, varied scenery, great viewpoints; very pleasant forest passages!
quite a lot of mountain biking on this beautiful day, but what could be more normal!
a really beautiful trail! thanks for sharing!

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CHRISTINE GILLET
CHRISTINE GILLET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent scenery for the end of January with the Alps in full sunshine.
Very pleasant walk, not very busy at this time of year, very well signposted.4.5 out of 5

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vetophillyon
vetophillyon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On the way back, at the end of the route, between the statue of the Madonna and Yzeron, the descent through the woods is not well signposted, if at all. Fortunately, a local was passing by and accompanied us.
Otherwise, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable walk.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.