Chessy loop at the Glay quarries

This walk will take you from Chessy station to the old quarries of Glay. The route passes through the picturesque hamlet of Glay with its golden stone houses

Details

1643455
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 248 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 246 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 427 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 216 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Chessy station car park located about 50 metres away, on the right after the level crossing when arriving from the D385.

(S/E) Turn right as you leave the car park towards Azergues. Cross the bridge over the Azergues and turn right onto Chemin de Courbeville and follow it to the castle of the same name.

(1) Go around the Château de Courbeville on the left and follow the path that leads into the woods. After passing some vineyards, the path becomes paved. Follow it to the intersection with a small road in the Jangot neighbourhood, ignoring a dead end on the left.

(2) Turn left onto the road, follow it for about 50 metres and take the paved path on the right. Follow it and turn right onto a dirt track that follows the edge of a field before entering a small wood.

(3) When you reach a small bridge over a stream, do not cross it. Turn left onto the sunken path that climbs towards the hamlet of Glay. This path is rutted and can be slippery in wet weather.
You will come out onto a paved road, which you should follow until you reach a small roundabout at the exit of the hamlet of Glay en Pierres Dorées.

(4) Take the first street on the left. Cross the D19 and turn opposite onto Montée des Carriers, which enters the vineyards. Continue to the first crossroads.

(5) Turn left to climb up towards the quarries. For the visit, see § During the hike.
After visiting the quarry, return to the entrance gate

(6) Take the road back in the opposite direction to the previous crossroads.

(5) Continue straight ahead until you reach the grassy crossroads.
Turn left, walk past a house and then the edge of a wood before turning slightly left into the wood.
After a few metres in the woods, turn right then left onto an unmarked path and continue to a new crossroads.

(7) Turn left onto the path which, after running alongside a field, leads to a small road.
Turn right onto the road and follow it.

(8) At a left-hand bend, take the path on the right that descends alongside a property before joining the road. Continue along the road downhill to the crossroads.
Turn left to cross Conzy and follow the road to the next crossroads.
At the crossroads, turn right onto Chemin de Conzy and follow it to the crossroads with Chemin du Fay.

(9) Take this road on the left, go downhill, cross the Azergues river before reaching a level crossing.

(10) Turn left just before the level crossing onto a path that runs parallel to the railway line for about 100 metres before heading through cultivated fields.
The path then runs alongside a picnic area before joining the road, which leads to the car park on the right (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 222 m - Chessy station park-and-ride car park. Head towards - Azergue (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 235 m - Courbeville Castle
  3. 2 : km 1.76 - alt. 272 m - Road junction
  4. 3 : km 2.5 - alt. 260 m - Turn left at the small bridge
  5. 4 : km 3.16 - alt. 343 m - Roundabout in Glay
  6. 5 : km 3.67 - alt. 392 m - Quarry crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.18 - alt. 417 m - Entrance to the quarries
  8. 7 : km 6.44 - alt. 345 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.36 - alt. 353 m - Path on the right
  10. 9 : km 8.1 - alt. 278 m - Chemin du Fay
  11. 10 : km 8.71 - alt. 220 m - Level crossing
  12. S/E : km 9.69 - alt. 222 m - Chessy station park-and-ride car park

Worth a visit

(6) The visit to the quarries can be done in two stages: the first is a tour around the top of the quarry, and the second is a visit to the quarries themselves. For those who are afraid of heights or wooden staircases, it is possible to skip straight to stage 2.

Stage 1: This stage offers a bird's eye view of the quarry.
When you reach the gate blocking access to the quarry, take the path on the right, which starts with a wooden log staircase. Follow this path around the quarry, keeping to the safety fence. The path has several sections with log steps. These logs can be slippery in wet weather.
At the junction with a gently sloping path, turn left onto the path, which is very steep for about ten metres, and descends along the fence to a grassy esplanade.
Take the path that passes to the right of a restored house, then after passing the house, take the path that branches off to the left.

Stage 2: This stage involves visiting the quarry itself. On some Monday afternoons, you can see demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and stonemasonry.
If you do not do stage 1, go through the pedestrian gate and take the path on the right.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 31 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 26702765

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Have a good trip, enjoy your exercise, and take in the peaceful, picturesque surroundings.

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becchi michel
becchi michel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, the end of the trail is a bit monotonous on the road.

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Henry Martine
Henry Martine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very muddy path

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Patoop
Patoop

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Enjoy the hike, with a slight climb at the beginning.

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MESLIN
MESLIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route with clear directions. In short, a great time!

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Noelleponsot
Noelleponsot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for sharing. Easy, attractive, and enjoyable

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TIFTUF65
TIFTUF65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

easy, very pleasant hike with extensive views from the entrance to the quarries, passing through hamlets with golden stone houses. Head to Chatillon/Azergues on the way back from the path on the right before the river, but note that the castle and chapel are closed in winter.
approximately 50% of the route is on narrow, quiet roads.

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Michelene76
Michelene76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Yes, it's a beautiful, fairly easy hike, suitable for all levels. Don't forget to visit the quarries where volunteers can be found carving stone on certain days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings)

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route through vineyards, woods and golden stone buildings, including the beautiful village of Glay.
A beautiful arrival at the quarries with their lovely ochre colour, followed by a stop at the viewpoint to admire the magnificent panorama.
Thank you to the author for this splendid discovery, I really enjoyed it.

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Sud 8
Sud 8

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking in a green setting, magnificent landscape of golden stones, beautiful panoramas.
Thanks to the author for this lovely walk.

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Michelene76
Michelene76

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant, varied hike with beautiful scenery and heritage sites, including a visit to the quarries.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
afternoons and Saturday mornings, stonemasons are at work and will explain their craft to you

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cedric69000
cedric69000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with an ascent through the forest, followed by magnificent landscapes with well-preserved trails and a descent back into the woods.

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Loru
Loru

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

The first part is pleasant, alternating between woodland and often shaded paths. There is a nice stop at the quarries. The return loop on paved paths and roads in full sun is much less enjoyable. Avoid when it's hot! It's difficult to find your way back through the woods.

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Joel Auray
Joel Auray

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant route, perfect description.

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Choups
Choups

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 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 hike with a variety of trails: forest paths, trails through hamlets, paths along meadows with beautiful views... A stunning landscape, even in the middle of winter! And the stone quarry is impressive with its beautiful yellow colour, matching the local houses!

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