Bossieu - Chemin des Moines and the ponds

In the heart of the Bonnevaux Forest, this is an easy, short walk with plenty of shade in summer.
You will walk alongside several ponds.

Details

122059
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.28 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 348 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 351 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,709 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,381 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

In Bossieu, follow the signs for "Etang du Grand Bois". Park at the edge of the pond (S).

Return to the tarmac road you arrived on. Turn right (north-west). Ignore a path that branches off to the right and, at the fork, take the right-hand branch (north-west).

(1) You will reach the "Petit Jean" pond, which you will follow on your left. Ignore the path that branches off to the left and, at the fork, take the right-hand path (north-east).

(2) When you reach the "Guy" pond, turn right (southeast). Pass the "Pelisson" pond and continue to the junction with the "Neuf" pond.

(3) This is the trickiest part. Take the second path on the left (there are signs) more or less opposite.
You will arrive at the "Coquet" pond. Go around it on the right (it is a little hidden).
Continue along the path, ignoring any paths leading off to the right or left. Keep following the yellow markings.

(4) You will come to a small paved road, which you take on the right (south). Then take the first path on the right (southwest) and follow it until you leave the woods. Turn left and descend towards the Liers plain. Continue to follow the yellow markings.

(5) When you reach Chemin de Bossieu (in the commune of Arzay), turn right (west)

(6) At the Route de la Guillotière, turn right, then left and right again.
We have passed Combe d'Agnière and are climbing back up towards the plateau.
Turn left along the trees (south), then right and immediately left (west)

(7) The path leads to a small paved road, which we take to the right (northwest).
This takes us back to the car park at the Grand Bois lake

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,670 ft
  2. 1 : mi 0.31 - alt. 1,670 ft - Petit-Jean pond
  3. 2 : mi 0.82 - alt. 1,683 ft - Guy Pond
  4. 3 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,677 ft - Crossroads at the Etang Neuf
  5. 4 : mi 2.69 - alt. 1,709 ft - Arzay paved road
  6. 5 : mi 3.49 - alt. 1,427 ft - On the right, the Bossieu path
  7. 6 : mi 3.77 - alt. 1,404 ft - On the right, Route de la Guillotière
  8. 7 : mi 4.74 - alt. 1,650 ft - Tarmac road from the Grand Bois pond
  9. S/E : mi 5.28 - alt. 1,670 ft

Notes

The circuit is fully marked in yellow.

No drinking water available along the route

Worth a visit

The ponds.
View of the Vercors and Pilat mountains.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

A walk through a beautiful forest with a variety of tree species, numerous ponds teeming with dragonflies and butterflies, and the pleasant sound of birdsong all along the way.
A few beautiful houses, including an eco-friendly one with green roofs – a magnificent property!!!
Views over the Liers plain and part of the Alps; the traffic-free stretch of road is lined with trees, giant ferns and flowers.
Thank you to the author for this discovery in such a peaceful setting.

Yannick, good evening,
I return the compliment, for which I thank you, as your walks are enjoyable and informative.
I have always admired the precision of your descriptions in general.
I’ll try to draw on your collection again!!!

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

A walk through a beautiful forest with a variety of tree species, numerous ponds teeming with dragonflies and butterflies, and the pleasant sound of birdsong all along the way.
A few beautiful houses, including an eco-friendly one with green roofs – a magnificent property!!!
Views over the Liers plain and part of the Alps; the traffic-free stretch of road is lined with trees, giant ferns and flowers.
Thank you to the author for this discovery in such a peaceful setting.

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Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Thank you for all your comments, which are always so positive; as I’m rather limited when it comes to walking, they’re a great comfort to me.
Happy walking to you all.

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A walk through a beautiful forest with a variety of tree species, numerous ponds teeming with dragonflies and butterflies, and the pleasant sound of birdsong all along the way.
A few beautiful houses, including an eco-friendly one with green roofs – a magnificent property!!!
Views over the Liers plain and part of the Alps; the traffic-free stretch of road is lined with trees, giant ferns and flowers.
Thank you to the author for this discovery in such a peaceful setting.

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Sud 8
Sud 8

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This walk takes us past numerous ponds in the beautiful Bonnevaux Forest, which boasts a rich variety of tree species.
Thanks to the author.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with lots of different ponds, and plenty of water lilies in bloom at the Neuf and Coquet ponds.
I walked back and forth along short sections to see the Neuf, Coquet and Grand Albert ponds, following the IGN map.
Thanks to the author.

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MJC Bellegarde Poussieu
MJC Bellegarde Poussieu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk in the woods with plenty of lily of the valley and sunshine

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Françoise escoffier
Françoise escoffier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk through woods and ponds, very pleasant

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davidelea38
davidelea38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello, could you please tell me if it will ever be possible to know the percentage of road vs. trail for the hikes? I really think that would be of interest to a lot of people... Thank you, thank you...

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JustineMi
JustineMi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, the start in the woods was a bit difficult. It had rained a few days before and the ground was very muddy, with mini puddles here and there
We had to walk around the edges, so a word of advice: wear hiking boots!

The walk is easy and enjoyable, and the end of the loop is on tarmac, but the view is very nice! In short, a lovely walk to do when the ground is a bit drier. I think I'll happily go back when it's dried out a bit 😂

Thanks for this discovery!

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ChristianeG
ChristianeG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied and very pleasant route with lots of flowers in early spring. Some sections through the forest were a little muddy but there were ways around them. The group of hikers enjoyed exploring this route.

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mamie Jacq
mamie Jacq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a pleasant walk in the shade in July, bordered by ponds. We saw lots of dragonflies! But be careful, the path is clayey, as in all the Chambarans, and very slippery when it rains

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Thierry382607
Thierry382607

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello.

The route is well signposted; follow the yellow markers.
At the start, you are in the forest near the ponds, all private, with superb views.
But after that, the hike continues along the road. A shame.
Best done in the opposite direction...

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Guillaume38700
Guillaume38700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had already done this hike in 2020. We did it again with great pleasure, as with all the hikes described by Mr JOSSET: precise itinerary, well signposted, pretty ponds. Thanks again to him!

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Gerard.REYNAUD
Gerard.REYNAUD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy route!
Not much life in the ponds, which is a shame!

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