Circular autumn loop starting from Villards d'Héria

To get to the starting point, head towards Moirans-en-Montagne. On the D470, at the north-western end of the Villards d'Héria Viaduct, park in the car-share car park.

(S/E) Start the route by heading towards the roundabout, take the third exit and follow signs for Martigna on the D299 for approximately 200 m.

(1) Leave the D299 on the right to follow the path running alongside the D470. You will arrive next to the roundabout at the Vernoire West Industrial Estate.

(2) Cross the road and continue along the path that runs alongside the D470.

(3) At the end of the path, take a short detour to the left at the Belvédère du Regardoir to take a moment to admire the view of Lake Vouglans. Then continue across the car park to the left to find a small path leading downhill.
At the sign for Belvédère du Regardoir, head towards Charchilla (yellow markings).

(4) At the end of the path, alongside the D470, continue to the left.

(5) Take the small path on the left before the D470; this is the Ancienne Voie Romaine. Walk past the Auberge Jurassienne, cross the road and continue along the path À la Mercantine, opposite, which runs parallel to the D301.

(6) On the Route du Lac, at Charchilla, continue westwards for about 100 m then turn onto the path heading due south until you reach the D301.

(7) Cross the D301 to rejoin the Route Forestière du Chenet, located 50 m ahead on the right, then at the signpost for Maray, take the path heading north-west towards Maisod (^GRP® Tour du Lac Vouglan, yellow and red markings).
Continue following the markings to Plage de la Mercantine.

(8) In front of the entrance to Plage de la Mercantine, continue northwards and follow the path along the lake, passing in front of the car park, which leads on to the path heading towards the port of La Mercantine.
At the end of the path, pass under the refreshment bar on the left and head towards the harbour master’s office (white building overlooking the jetties).

(9) At the harbour master’s office, continue along the small road leading up to the Maisod VVF, then head south along the lake. Pass by the boat gantry and the slipway, then continue for about a hundred metres along the lakeside to reach the small paths through the woods leading to the VVF (follow the yellow and red markings).
Once you reach the small road running alongside the holiday village, follow the path which climbs quite steeply, passing behind the holiday village.

(10) At the crossroads, continue westwards. Stay on this path (^GRP®® Tour du Lac Vouglans, red and yellow markings) until you reach the Route Forestière de la Frate. Follow it to the left and head for the Belvédère de la Frate.

(11) Continue along the Route Forestière de la Frate, then turn left at the^second path to take a short detour along the wild beach bordering the lake.

(12) Return to the Route Forestière de la Frate and continue left until you reach the D301.

(13) Continue along the road, following the track for about 100 m, then take the small grassy path that climbs to the left, opposite the first house. Walk past the houses on the left to rejoin the path through the undergrowth, which takes you back to the D301.

(14) Back on the D301, head north and take the^GRP®® Tour du Lac Vouglan on the right towards Pont de la Pyle and Coyron.

(15) Pass the Belvédère de la Braise viewpoint and continue to the junction of the^GRP®® with the Ancienne Voie Romaine.

(16) At the junction, at the signpost for Citernon, cross the Voie Romaine and follow the signs for Coyron/Meussia to the north-east (^2nd turn on the left). Cross the D470 with care and reach the Coyron exit via Rue de la Fraite (D83E1), heading towards La Fraite/Meussia.

(17) Continue along the forest track (marked with black mountain bike signs). At the crossroads, turn right and continue to the signpost near Vuilerme, indicating the direction of Meussia.

(18) Follow this route north-east for 50 m, then turn right towards the south-east. At the T-junction, turn right and head towards Meussia.

(19) Pass to the right of the fountain and continue straight on along Rue de la Côte, following the signs for Coulouvre. Cross Rue de Champagne to rejoin the forest track opposite and follow this track to Coulouvre.

(20) Walk past the Coulouvre fountain, then take the first path heading south a few metres after the last house. Keep heading in this direction until you reach the forest road (elevation 669m). Turn right for a few metres, then, after the house, take the path that branches off to the left towards the south-west. Continue to the Route Forestière du Mont-Saint-Christophe and follow it northwards for a few metres.

(21) Turn south-west onto the mountain bike trail and the nature trail.
At the end of the trail, turn sharply south onto a steeply ascending concrete path. Follow the mountain bike markings to the town of Moirans-en-Montagne.

(22) At Rue Pasteur, continue due south, pass the police station on your left, then turn right at the next street. Turn left immediately afterwards and follow Rue Voltaire.
At the three-way junction, opposite the cinema, turn left then follow Allée du Parc, which runs to the right of the post office. Almost at the end of the street, cross the central reservation to the left and join Avenue de Saint-Claude.

(23) Cross the avenue, ignore the Montée du Cret which heads off opposite, but turn right towards Les Crozets then right into Rue de Roche Rive. Follow the tarmac road to the end and take the small path that continues from there. Continue along the path on the right until you reach the D470, then head for the car park on the left (S/E).

To view the car park and starting point: click here.

To view a video of the route profile: click here.

Picnic tables at the Port de la Mercantine and the Belvédère de la Frate.

Regardoir viewpoint.
La Frate viewpoint.
La Braise viewpoint.
La Mercantine beach and harbour.