Bilieu walks

An easy hike around the village of Bilieu with lovely views of Lake Paladru and the surrounding countryside.

It was a pleasant walk, mostly through the woods, looking for chestnuts in season. However, the return journey involved a fairly long stretch of tarmac road.

This walk, which presents no particular difficulties, follows the pedestrian routes that have been successfully developed to facilitate walking around the lake, thereby minimising the elevation gain. In particular, the route takes the Voie Verte and the Chemin du Marais before joining the GR®65, the Geneva Way of St James – Le Puy-en-Velay, on the heights of Paladru and Le Pin. It passes through many pleasant spots where you can stop for a break. Enjoy the various views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, and the tranquillity of the walk, with a very low proportion of shared paths. You can also walk it in the opposite direction for a different perspective.

This route will allow you to discover Lake Paladru in all its glory. A long hike (nearly 22 km) but without any technical difficulty. Best suited to experienced walkers or for tackling over two days. Choose your starting point; the lake circuit can be started from four villages: Charavines, Bilieu, Le Pin or Paladru. This large “Blue Lake”, exceptional for the beauty of its surroundings and its crystal-clear waters, was shaped by the mighty Rhône Glacier during the Ice Age. Situated at an altitude of 500 metres, nestled amongst wooded and agricultural hills, it is the fifth-largest natural lake in France. Its shores were home to one of the first human communities in Isère, dating back to 2700 BC (the Neolithic village of Les Baigneurs). Several sites are designated as “protected natural areas”.

A day's walk, quite lovely and varied. You start by going through the Grand Platon Forest, then going along the south-east bank of the lake with beautiful views over the lake. You change banks and go along the Feydelière and Véronnière marshes ('Marais' - protected sites). The return is via the north-west bank of the lake with beautiful views over Chartreuse and, if the weather is clear, Mont Blanc.

An easy walk around Lake Paladru, allowing you to discover some fascinating Carthusian buildings. The Grange Dimière is a listed building and, higher up, the former Carthusian monastery, which is now privately owned and not open to visitors.

A walk starting from the village of Le Pin, now part of the commune of Villages du Lac de Paladru, passing through the hamlets of La Montagne and Brézin. Country lanes, forest tracks, woods and undergrowth. Views of the Chartreuse and the Vercors in the distance.

A magnificent circular route that follows theGR®65, better known as the Way of St James, on the way there and the paths above Lake Paladru on the way back.

A countryside walk starting from Le Pin, a village within the “Villages de Lac de Paladru” municipality. Passing through Les Marais, Chubins and Charpenne. A easy route along wide farm tracks and a few small tarmac roads.

The circular takes you around Lake Paladru via the greenway from Charavines.

This walk is not difficult, except for the distance. In the first part, you walk along the Val d'Ainan Nature Reserve, then you follow a pleasant, soft path through the woods. After a detour to the Clermont Tonnerre tower, you return to Chirens via paths or small, quiet roads. In the second part of the route, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the Chartreuse Mountains.

This is an easy walk that still offers some beautiful views.

Starting from the hamlet of Le Verney, in the commune of Oyeu in Isère, this route, partly through woods, goes around Plan-du-Rey, which briefly overlooks Lake Paladru.

This is a pleasant walk with varied scenery. You will pass Notre-Dame des Vignes in Valencogne, Lake Paladru in Paladru and, on the heights, the charming Chapelle des Trois Croix in the Dauphinois style. There are no difficulties to be expected, apart from the distance. Halfway through the walk, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the mountains.

A short family walk of around 2 hours 15 minutes in the hills above Saint-Nicolas-de-Macherin, through forests, greenery, woods and rural hamlets. In summer, the route combines shaded areas with lush greenery. In winter, it can be enjoyable in snowy conditions (consider snowshoes depending on snow conditions).