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Bessey walks
Bessey and its mysteries
Visorando Member
5.48 mi
+469 ft
-440 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Bessey (Loire)
An easy route to discover some of the attractions of the commune of Bessey in the Pilat Regional Nature Park.
Margarat Plateau, Roisey Forest
6.10 mi
+1,319 ft
-1,332 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Roisey (Loire)
A lovely walk through the forest on the hills above Roisey, suitable for all seasons. A slight climb to enjoy some beautiful views. After the Margarat plateau, the route crosses the northern slope of Pélussin whilst remaining within the municipality of Roisey.
Malleval and the Rhône hillsides
3.38 mi
+719 ft
-689 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Malleval (Loire)
This short walk will allow you to enjoy the beautiful medieval village of Malleval (in the golden light of early morning if you set off at sunrise, which is recommended) before venturing into the wine-growing hillsides.
The distance is moderate, but expect some elevation gain (a fairly steep descent followed by a climb) during the first half of the route, as you make your way down to Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf from the top of the hills, before climbing back up through the vineyards.
From the village of Malleval to the village of Roisey
8.81 mi
+1,066 ft
-1,053 ft
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Malleval (Loire)
An easy walk between the village of Roisey and Malleval. At the start of the walk, you can see the Cascade du Saut de Lorette when there is water in winter and, on the way back, before reaching Malleval, you will pass through woodland along the Ruisseau de l’Épervier, which will provide a pleasant coolness if you are doing this walk in summer.
⚠️Access along the Ruisseau de l’Épervier is prohibited from the hamlet of Le Pont Jacquet (9) by municipal order following rockfalls caused by heavy flooding. Reported on 31 July 2025.
The medieval village of Malleval and the diversity of its surroundings
4.59 mi
+965 ft
-965 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Malleval (Loire)
Start by exploring a botanical cactus trail, then climb up to the cemetery and enjoy the view.
Follow the cool Épervier stream upstream.
Discover wooded paths followed by sunny trails with superb 360° views, then descend through the vineyards.
Finish by discovering the Saut de Laurette.
Return via the old village (church, salt storehouse, former commandery) and the trails.
The Maclas hills
8.33 mi
+1,453 ft
-1,421 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Maclas (Loire)
A route between hills and foothills, between forests and orchards.
Some sections are on roads, which are unavoidable but not very busy.
The Bessey Plateau and the Batalon
8.16 mi
+1,050 ft
-1,070 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Maclas (Loire)
A lovely circular route that takes you from Maclas to the beautiful medieval village of Malleval via the Bessey Plateau and the Épervier river valley, then back up the Batalon river.
No particular difficulty (apart from the length of the route); the paths are mostly easy and gently sloping.
The second half of the route (from the River Épervier to Maclas) is mostly cool and shaded.
The hillsides of Maclas
8.41 mi
+909 ft
-889 ft
4h 40
Easy
Departure from Maclas (Loire)
fairly easy hike on the foothills of Mont Pilat, facing it and the Rhône plain
Circular between La Ribaudy and Pélussin
7.07 mi
+1,158 ft
-1,155 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
The route of this hike will take you from the hamlet of La Ribaudy to the village of Pélussin. Sometimes along wooded paths, sometimes across fields, you will reach the valley of the Rivière du Régrillon. You will cross the Pélussin Viaduct, the former Tacot railway line.
From Véranne to Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette
11.44 mi
+1,883 ft
-1,909 ft
6h 55
Difficult
Departure from Véranne (Loire)
A route through the Pilat mountains that takes you along a short stretch of the Way of St James and offers beautiful views of the Rhône valley in places. You can also visit the villages of Véranne and Saint-Julien-Molin-Molette along the way.
From Véranne to Sainte-Blandine
7.67 mi
+1,375 ft
-1,378 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Véranne (Loire)
From the village of Véranne, shaded paths will take you through the hills of the Pilat Natural Park to the Croix de Sainte-Blandine, which overlooks the Rhône valley, offering a beautiful view of the Alps on a clear day.
The return journey is via theGR®65, which is also part of the Way of St James from Geneva.
Circular from Véranne to the Saint-Sabin Chapel
7.90 mi
+2,064 ft
-2,077 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Véranne (Loire)
A very pleasant hike. It offers varied landscapes, on ancient mossy paths, dotted with houses typical of the Pilat region. You will have beautiful views of the surrounding and even distant peaks on numerous occasions.
Les Trois Dents from Véranne
8.75 mi
+2,323 ft
-2,339 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Véranne (Loire)
This hike allows you to discover the Trois Dents rocks, which give this area of Pilat an alpine character and offer magnificent views. As an option, the Saint-Sabin chapel offers a beautiful view of the Véranne area. The Pilat Natural Park's signposts and directional signs will be a great help in following the route.
Crest de L'Oeillon from Veranne
10.07 mi
+2,746 ft
-2,753 ft
7h 00
Moderate
Departure from Véranne (Loire)
This hike takes you through several different landscapes in Pilat. It starts at the foot of the hills, rich in orchards, and reaches the highest point of the massif, where the view is spectacular.
Historic Pélussin and the Scie valley
6.42 mi
+1,211 ft
-1,204 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
This easy walk allows you to stroll around the beautiful village of Pélussin before plunging into the wooded valley of the Scie stream.It partly follows the Priel trail (Pelussin 1, yellow/white markings).
The Dentillon hut from Pelussin
7.32 mi
+2,018 ft
-2,024 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
This walk starts from Pelussin (in the heart of Pilat) and involves a slight climb (just under 600 m) to keep you in shape, which rises continuously. You will arrive at the Dentillon hut, with its arboretum and orientation table. You can then continue on to the 3 dents, which will add another 45 minutes and 250m of elevation gain.
The Chemin du Tacot to the east of Pélussin
9.15 mi
+1,647 ft
-1,650 ft
5h 40
Difficult
Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
At the start and end of the route, this circuit follows the Tacot, a local railway line that connected the two sides of the Pilat Massif, the Loire and the Rhône, until 1930. Magnificent views of the Pilat Massif, but above all of the Rhône Valley and the Alps, with Mont Blanc visible on the left when the sky is clear. Most of the circuit is in the forest.
Circulars through vineyards and orchards starting from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf
8.78 mi
+945 ft
-938 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf (Loire)
A gentle hike on the slopes of the Pilat massif. You will pass through orchards and vineyards with views of the Rhône and the foothills of the Vercors.
Chavanay - Bourg-Argental
14.77 mi
+2,707 ft
-1,558 ft
9h 10
Difficult
Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
Eleventh stage of the Way of St James. This stage is the first in the Massif Central and crosses the Pilat Regional Nature Park. In the foothills of the Rhône Valley, it allows you to gain some altitude.
From Chavanay to Malleval
9.20 mi
+1,371 ft
-1,388 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
Walk through the orchards of Chavanay. Best done in April when the fruit trees are in bloom. As a bonus, you'll see the charming village of Malleval and the Epervier valley.
Please note: read carefully at marker No. 8
Around Chezenas
10.48 mi
+1,253 ft
-1,247 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf (Loire)
A walk starting from Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf that takes you past vineyards and orchards on the hills around Chezenas.
The northern balconies of Pélussin
5.30 mi
+623 ft
-607 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
This short hike is an opportunity to discover the valleys north of the commune of Pélussin, while enjoying numerous views of this beautiful little village (two churches and a castle!), stretching along a ridge that slopes gently down towards the Rhône valley.
You can also enjoy beautiful views of the Pilat peaks (Les Trois Dents, Le Crêt de l'Oeillon).
Along the Rhône in Chavanay
4.20 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
A stroll to enjoy the fresh air along the banks of the Rhône. There is no elevation gain; the path runs alongside the Viarhôna, the cycle route from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, before returning inland. The banks of the Rhône at this point are densely vegetated. It is a peaceful, easy walk.
The Saint-Sabin chapel from Saint-Appolinard
7.61 mi
+2,182 ft
-2,182 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Appolinard (Loire) (Loire)
Another original way to get to this beautiful viewpoint that is the Saint-Sabin chapel on a small bluff in the heart of the Pilat Park, pouring into the Rhône Valley, with some of the best views of the Alps and pre-Alps (especially across the south). At the chapel, many signs and indications tell the story of the place and its flora.