Around Veyssilieu

A circular walk starting from Veyssilieu to discover some panoramic views and the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette at the summit of Mount Chatelan.
Note: this circular walk follows the routes shown on the large map by the roadside, namely: Cros de Lavan, Les Gorges, Frétignier, Seuillere, Floutier and back to Veyssilieu.

Details

3429859
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.10 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 784 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 784 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,414 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 846 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the square near Veyssilieu church.

Always follow the yellow markings.

(S/E) Head towards Cros de Lavan, as indicated on the hiking signposts.
Walk past Palis Castle and continue along the path.

(1) At the crossroads on the path, turn left to reach a small river, then continue straight on along a narrow path lined with standing stones. Cross the road and begin the climb. You’ll reach the hamlet of Burizet.

(2) Carry on along the path; after the pumping station, turn left to reach the junction with the path to the Chapelle de la Salette.

(3) Turn left to climb up to this chapel.

(4) Return in the opposite direction to the previous junction.

(3) Take the path opposite and follow it until you reach a wider track. As you emerge from the woods, you’ll reach the Cros de Lavan junction (350 metres).

(5) Carry on to the left towards the Gorges. You’ll reach Loras.

(6) Follow the path on the left through the woods, passing through the hamlet of Le Tramolay, and walking some distance alongside the Étang de Loras. Stay on this path for several hundred metres.

(7) At the three-way junction, be sure to turn right, leaving the path that descends to the left. You’ll reach a road junction at the hamlet known as Les Gorges (elevation 408).
Cross this road and head towards Frétignier. Pass by Mont, in front of a large mobile phone mast covered in graffiti. Head downhill to the left and arrive at a multi-way junction (elevation 369).

(8) Continue left along the Route de la Roche until you reach the first houses in Les Mangettes. Reach the end of the Chemin de Seuillere by turning left.

(9) Take the path opposite, following signs for Floutier and Veyssilieu. You’ll reach the hamlet of Floutier.

(10) Stay on this path, heading due west towards Veyssilieu. Pass the hamlet of Sartarieu. Return to the road, continue to the left and, after a final right-hand bend onto the Route de la Ribaudière, return to the car park at Veyssilieu church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 922 ft - Car park at Veyssilieu church
  2. 1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 850 ft - Junction. Ribaudière stream
  3. 2 : mi 0.71 - alt. 1,007 ft - Burizet
  4. 3 : mi 1.16 - alt. 1,230 ft - Chapel crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 1.36 - alt. 1,296 ft - Chapel of La Salette
  6. 5 : mi 2.29 - alt. 1,155 ft - Cros de Lavan
  7. 6 : mi 2.75 - alt. 1,171 ft - Loras
  8. 7 : mi 3.64 - alt. 1,342 ft - Junction in the woods
  9. 8 : mi 4.23 - alt. 1,220 ft - Frétignier
  10. 9 : mi 4.61 - alt. 1,155 ft - Seuillere
  11. 10 : mi 5.22 - alt. 974 ft - Floutier
  12. S/E : mi 6.1 - alt. 922 ft - Car park at Veyssilieu church

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
cgautier1968
cgautier1968

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This short hike around Veyssilieu is a great idea, far from the roads, peaceful, beautiful forest, magnificent view of the Alps at the end of the route. I'm adding it to my favourites. 3½ hours including a picnic break.

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gwenzilla
gwenzilla

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, well shaded, mostly through woods.
The road section at the end is a bit monotonous, but not really unpleasant either.
Watch out for mountain bikes on the descent!

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Norbert38
Norbert38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk mainly through the forest (certainly pleasant in summer), with a few fairly long climbs that are not very steep. The descent before point 8 is very stony, so I was glad to have my walking sticks. The signposts could do with a lick of yellow paint. Otherwise, no difficulty in finding your way

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guyleg
guyleg
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, mostly through woods, making it ideal in hot weather. Fairly easy level
View of Mont Blanc at an altitude of 431 metres
The route is advertised as taking 3½ hours. Personally, I did it in just over 2 hours
Could be done on a mountain bike
Worth doing again in summer in the shade

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andomir
andomir

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant walk with no difficulties. Countryside and forest landscapes. Nothing extraordinary, but relaxing
The chapel is worth seeing
Be sure to use GPS as it's easy to get lost

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Phil69
Phil69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Satisfaction of all hikers on the day

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Almudena
Almudena

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike with a beautiful view of the Alps at the highest point. But on the way back between points 9 and 10, we missed the path on the left because it wasn't marked! Not much road even if you go straight ahead.

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Guyane38
Guyane38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Follow the yellow markings along the entire route, except at the end where it is unnecessary to cross the road. You can avoid this by taking the path on the left just before the stadium.
Otherwise, the directions on the website are reliable.
The hike is of moderate interest as there are few interesting viewpoints.
The difficulty level is low and suitable for families.

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stefz
stefz

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, lots of undergrowth, almost all paths, few houses, very little tarmac. A fairly quiet route with beautiful scenery.

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vaudagne
vaudagne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb walk along beautiful paths. Ideal in sunny autumn weather!

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BV61
BV61
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a very pretty, varied hike through woods and along paths with pleasant ascents and descents, where I enjoyed
the walking poles. At point 4, the Notre Dame de la Salette chapel is always open and a pleasant place to take a short break. The road between points 8 and 9 can be avoided. At point 8, take the path that branches off to the left just before the stadium. Follow this path straight ahead until you reach the first crossroads, then take the path downhill on the right and continue straight ahead (ignoring the paths on the left) until you reach point 9.
This hike is easy to follow with GPS. I would happily do it again
Thanks to the author for this route

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MarieSylvie
MarieSylvie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and fairly varied walk through woods, villages, fields and a chapel. No difficulty.

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TineDo
TineDo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and varied route; small streams (with water, what a treat after the summer drought!) and paths between planted stones, passing close to a fortified house, discovering charming little hamlets, the site of the Notre-Dame de la Salette chapel (open and welcoming, which is becoming rare!), nice climbs and descents, a small garden with labelled plants, Scottish cows and beautiful views.
This was the second time we had done this route, and we enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

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mariepistache
mariepistache

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in the beautiful countryside and forest of northern Isère. Attractive trails and wide, easily accessible paths.

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Fabrice0869
Fabrice0869

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today, very pleasant and varied route
The difficulty level is moderate
The trail is not very busy except at the chapel between points 3 and 4, where there are a few people but it's not crowded
i agree with the previous review: be careful at point 1, it's easy to miss the path surrounded by stones. Look carefully at the route to make sure you're on the right track. It's a few metres to the left after a horse paddock.
At point 8, go straight ahead and there is no need to follow the paved road that runs alongside the stadium. Instead, take the path just above on the left, which is much nicer and not much longer. Follow this path straight ahead and turn right at the first crossroads, then continue straight ahead (ignore the two paths on the left) until you reach point 9.

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