Around Juliénas in Beaujolais

A hike in Beaujolais through vineyards and forests, starting from Juliénas near Belleville. This hike can be shortened or lengthened (see description).

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 572 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 571 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 566 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 227 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/F) From the car park of the Juliénas post office. Take the direction of the churches (between the old on, transformed into a vault in 1954, and the new one built in 1868). At the sign marked Les Gonnards, turn left in the direction of La Bottière then left again towards Les Capitans and Les Mouilles. In the hamlet of Les Capitans take the dead end road opposite.

(1) At the end of the paved road, take the left path towards Les Mouilles. At the next junction, turn right towards Mont de Bessay (the spelling used on the signs, the spelling on the IGN map is Mont de Besset).

(2) Arrive on a small road and take it left towards Les Mouilles.

(3) The water tower, turn right towards Mont Bessay (a good climb). On arriving at the antenna, head around it to the right and turn left, still in the direction of Mont de Bessay. The path continues along a sustained incline. Nevertheless do not go to the summit, but at the edge of the forest, where (weather permitting) we will have a view of Saint-Vérand, where Beaujolais gives way to the Mâconnais.

(4) A the Broussaud cross (which is not very visible in the vegetation), four diverging paths (including the one by which we came). Make a left hairpin bend towards Haute Combe. Now the path heads downhill.

(5) At Haut Combe, at the first house, turn right towards the La Combe Vineuse and Les Déburnays (the sign is a little faded). The path leads to a paved road, cross it to take the path that follows it below and cuts the corner (there are two paths in this case, the one closest to the road is the most comfortable). Arrive at Deburnays and the easiest way is to turn right and then immediately left to cross towards Les Ravinets and La Fargette.

(6) Just after Les Ravinets, take the left path to Mount Fétraud on a well-marked route up to the summit. Head down to cross the small Cotoyon stream from which begins the ascent. The signs here read En Vaine but also Mont Fétraud. Turn left, then take the path that climbs up to the right. A forest road cuts the path further up, cross straight over it.

(7) The slope steepens and leads to a clearing, new crossroads of several hiking trails. This isn’t Mont Fétraud yet, it is off on the left, but the bulk of the climb is behind you. After passing Mount Fétraud, the path descends and leads to a hairpin bend of the D137.

(8) Take the road to the left and then the path to the right in the forest a few metres further on. This is not too overgrown, allowing a glimpse of the valley on the left. Further on, the landscape emerges. Continue up a small road.

(9) Turn right at the house, after which you turn left. At the next crossroads of paths, go straight. The path then runs at a tangent to the curve of a small road, it continues on the left. Take another left at the next intersection then turn right into the descent. The path continues down straight to a house. Take in front of it the small road that ends at the "Trêve".

(10) At Le Trêve take the right path along the vineyard overlooking the Cotoyon stream. On the other side, we see the castle of Julienas. Further on the marked path turns left and then right onto the road to La Prat.

(11) At La Prat, if you like, you can go directly to Juliénas. The hike as described takes you up onto Combe Rémond to see Juliénas from another angle. We take the opportunity to pass the cooperative wine producer’s cellar...
If we choose the latter one, then turn right, then in the village right twice and then left towards Les Berthets. We can go around the chapel Small adjoining castle. At the south-west corner of the park is a monument to the memory of André Michon, FFI resistance soldier murdered there 15 August 1944. At Les Berthets go straight to the D17, which runs along the river Menderson.

(12) Cross it at the bridge opposite and go straight into the bend, take the path on the left. Take on the left the bridge that crosses La Mauvaise and back up to the other side until the D 26. The turn left and after 50 metres, turn right uphill on the path towards Combe Rémond. A good climb. The path does not require you to go via the house called "Combe Remond." Follow the direction for Bois Retour on the marked path (there is a path down to the left, we have not tested).

(13) At the next intersection, a trail marked “La Deshane" leads up to a viewpoint at an elevation of 515 metres. If you don’t want to go up, and keep the walk to 18 km, turn left in the direction of Roche Perrier.

(14) The water tower, head down to the left. Further on, it is possible to cut the curve of the road by a very well defined and predictable path to reach the D68 at Les Brureaux.

(15). Take the road to the left and then immediately head onto the path on the right. At the corner of the next house, turn left. The path descends to a bridge that goes back across the Mauvaise and then up to D17. Head opposite and cross the D17E to return to, after the left turn, the path followed upon departure. The car park of the post office is a little further on (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 268 m - Car park at the Post Office in Juliénas
  2. 1 : km 1.32 - alt. 304 m - Take the path on the left, towards Les Mouilles
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 355 m - Small road, left towards les Mouilles
  4. 3 : km 2.13 - alt. 377 m - Water tower, on the right towards Mont Bessay
  5. 4 : km 3.74 - alt. 453 m - Broussaud cross. Left hairpin
  6. 5 : km 4.11 - alt. 427 m - Haute Combe. To the right
  7. 6 : km 5.91 - alt. 425 m - Direction Mont Fétraud
  8. 7 : km 7.93 - alt. 565 m - Mont Fetraud. To the left
  9. 8 : km 8.58 - alt. 516 m - Left on the road, then immediately right
  10. 9 : km 9.8 - alt. 414 m - At the road, turn right
  11. 10 : km 11.1 - alt. 288 m - At Trêve turn right along the vineyard
  12. 11 : km 11.8 - alt. 254 m - La Prat. Choice between direct return or continuing
  13. 12 : km 13.12 - alt. 258 m - At Daras, cross the bridge over the Merdenson
  14. 13 : km 15.2 - alt. 401 m - Fork, turn left
  15. 14 : km 15.74 - alt. 385 m - At the water tower, turn left
  16. 15 : km 16.4 - alt. 291 m - At the road on the left and immediately on the right
  17. S/E : km 18.06 - alt. 268 m - Car park at the post office in Juliénas

Practical information

The paths are well marked and good quality throughout this hike through vineyards and forests. As always in Beaujolais, we go up and down hills, which ends up making a significant total change in altitude (the total change in altitude measured in the field at the altimeter is 630 metres

In the nearby area

Many wine cellars with tastings in Julienas. Besides the wine cooperative, you can visit the tomb of the old church. Juliénas is a robust wine for a Beaujolais, and can even be aged for a while.
Also see the new church (new since 1868) and the castle of Juliénas.
Hiking through a landscape of vineyards, including beautiful bunches of grapes in summer and red leaves in autumn.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Fernand1254
Fernand1254

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We really enjoyed this route, which offers a great variety of scenery and is not too busy.
It's easy to follow and not too difficult.

We highly recommend it.

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jeanlouispe
jeanlouispe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's a very nice route, pleasant to walk and without any major difficulties. It would be interesting to do it at the end of the year with the autumn colours.

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danixx
danixx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk around Juliénas with vines as far as the eye can see and breathtaking autumn colours. Easy route. The display tracking isn't exactly top-notch, but with the map on your phone (or printed out), it's a breeze. Yes, it climbs a bit at first, but it's not an insurmountable climb either. You can cut off at several places to get back to Juliénas more quickly.

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PatrickM69
PatrickM69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful and varied walk through woods and vineyards.

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benoitD44
benoitD44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

My wife and I took this superb walk around Juliénas.
It alternates between vineyards and woods, with some magnificent views.
The start was a bit tricky on tarmac, with a pretty steep climb, but after that it was all good fun!
We stopped at point 11 due to lack of time. We completed the route in 3 hours. We're not very fast walkers, so we were surprised at the 6h45 announced for the whole route.
We'll probably do it again this autumn when the vines have turned their golden colour.
We warmly recommend it
Astrid and Benoit

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mo50ja44
mo50ja44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Not a very difficult circuit, but offering an absolutely remarkable view of the Juliénas vineyards. Can be split into two parts.

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monile
monile

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk in the Haut Beaujolais.
We didn't meet anyone along the way.
Thank you for this walk.

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somaloanne
somaloanne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Be careful, in spring the winegrowers treat their vines, so I had to make a few hooks to avoid getting hit in the face.
There are a lot of roads at the start, so it's hard to find your way around, and there are a few climbs, but it's well worth it, with magnificent panoramas and a very pleasant passage through the woods.

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DDAL22550
DDAL22550

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

parish specific to Brittany

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Dominique G4.
Dominique G4.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice varied walk alternating between vineyards, fir forests and undergrowth The gradients are sometimes quite steep 6 hours with a few breaks A very nice day out

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gjosserand01121
gjosserand01121

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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cannequin
cannequin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 31, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Reliable GPS guidance.
Magnificent vineyard landscapes in autumn (a few bunches still present bring a little sugar).
A few hunters in the woods I think for wild boar.
Perhaps a little too much tarmac.
Pleasant route, not strenuous.

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Jacqueline Françon
Jacqueline Françon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We only did the long loop (up to stage 11) due to lack of time (late start). A very pleasant tour!

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pascal.amieux
pascal.amieux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We chose October to do this tour to take advantage of the autumn colours. We were lucky enough to have good weather, so the route is absolutely magnificent at this time of year.
If there's one criticism, it concerns the start of the second part, where there's a lot of tarmac ... but that's just a criticism
The route on the map is perfect and helped us once or twice.

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fabienne et eric
fabienne et eric

Thank you George for intervening as I was beginning to have doubts about my right and left...

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