Col de la Luère, Col de Malval and Col de Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid

de fr

100% trail route.
From (2) to (7), a route with absolutely no traffic; a GPS is recommended, although in this steep-sided valley there is a slight discrepancy with the actual route.
Due to fallen trees, the park area is tricky, and you’ll need to use GPS and common sense to make your way through.
Although this is not a mountain hike, do not attempt this route if you only hike on well-marked paths, as this is an area with no marked trails. I have removed a small, wild section of the hike that had become almost impassable.

Details

n°1990085
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.10 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,030 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,030 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,556 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,791 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Saint Bonnet le Froid
Saint Bonnet le Froid
Courzieux
Saint Bonnet le Froid

Description of the walk

Park at Col de la Luère.

(S/E) Shortly after the tarmac road, take the small path on the right. At the top, turn left onto the path leading to the restaurant in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.

(1) Follow the D113 opposite for about 400 m.

(2) Turn right and head downhill, staying on this path; to do this, ignore the paths branching off to the right or left at each junction. Continue along a sort of ridge to reach a hairpin bend.

(3) Turn left and complete the descent until you reach a junction of paths alongside a small stream.

(4) Descend to the stream and climb up the opposite side

(5) Take the path that climbs to the left and runs along the right bank of the small stream. Return to the junction you passed earlier.

(4) Turn right, cross the stream and reach the Parc des Loups junction.

(5) Continue left uphill. Follow a wide circular loop to the right, then a tight hairpin bend to the left along a path, and reach the junction with the path leading to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.

(6) Take this path to the right. At the next three-way junction, keep left to reach the Col de Maleval, marked by a car park and a multitude of trails.

(7) Turn left heading due north onto the GRP® Tour des Monts du Lyonnais, marked in red and yellow. Return to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.

(8) Head towards the D113, continue right on the GRP®, and reach a new crossroads marked by a cross.

(9) Turn left, continue north through the forest to return to the Col de la Luère car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,346 ft - Parking - Col de la Luère (714m)
  2. 1 : mi 1.02 - alt. 2,477 ft - D113 - Château de Saint Bonnet le Froid
  3. 2 : mi 1.2 - alt. 2,467 ft - Saint-Bonnet le Froid
  4. 3 : mi 2.4 - alt. 2,047 ft - Crossroads at the hairpin bend
  5. 4 : mi 2.47 - alt. 2,005 ft - Stream junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.87 - alt. 1,821 ft - Animal park
  7. 6 : mi 3.49 - alt. 2,267 ft - Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid Trail
  8. 7 : mi 4.11 - alt. 2,402 ft - Col de Malval (732m)
  9. 8 : mi 4.93 - alt. 2,477 ft - GRP
  10. 9 : mi 5.45 - alt. 2,290 ft - The Calvary
  11. S/E : mi 6.1 - alt. 2,352 ft - Parking - Col de la Luère (714m)

Notes

There is no water on the route, and the central part of the route is not very easy, so hiking or trail shoes are recommended.

Worth a visit

To reachCourzieu Park by car: from the Col de la Luère, head towards the Col de Malval. Then follow the signposts; it is about 3 km further on, on the right.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
yvesdaru
yvesdaru

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I think it's useful to download the route beforehand because there are lots of paths that cross each other. There are many obstacles, but nothing too complicated. The route is mainly through the forest with beautiful views of Lyon.
All dirt tracks.

Machine-translated

ricgian
ricgian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views and scenery, I recommend it.

Machine-translated

ricgian
ricgian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views and landscapes

Machine-translated

dfober
dfober

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route! No roads, no crowds, beautiful views.
A few tricky sections:
- Before reaching point 1, there is a (significant) tree-cutting area and the path is blocked in several places by branches (which give the impression that it is intentional). There are small paths to go around, not very visible, on the left (in the direction of the route).
- at point 4: you have to climb up what looks like a stream bed. It's not obvious that the path goes through there. I think that after heavy rain, you'll probably need boots to get through.
I failed to turn at point 5 and found myself along the animal park before I realised. No matter, if you continue a little further, you can take the GR89 which leads back to point 6.
Thank you.

Machine-translated

Alain Charvet
Alain Charvet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through forests and moors. Not crowded.

Machine-translated

YBoissel
YBoissel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2027
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, mostly shaded, but with some beautiful views. Lots of people at the start and finish, but no one around once you get a little further away. It may be a little longer than expected: at the finish, the GPS showed 13.4 km.

Machine-translated

d.aubert6
d.aubert6
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Start from Saint Bonnet le Froid, where parking is easier, and follow the route on the app.
The section between points 1 and 7 is very interesting and wild, far from the city.
Navigation is complicated without GPS, I suppose. Good shoes are essential and walking sticks will be useful in some places.
You have to go around some uprooted trees shortly after point 4. Don't hesitate to climb the embankment on the left bank, then descend towards the stream and cross back over to the right bank. This is where the walking sticks will come in handy.
From point 7 to the finish, the route is much more conventional and therefore much busier.

This route could be combined with my "La Garine" route, which would make for a beautiful hike or trail run.

Machine-translated

SuperChris77
SuperChris77

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, not very busy and offering some stunning views.
I agree with the previous comments: the path is completely clear from point 3 to point 4, but not at all from point 4 to point 5. We climbed through the woods on a very steep slope, which was quite a workout 😂
No regrets, though, as the streams at point 4 are magnificent.
Thank you for this route, which completely won me over!

Machine-translated

Blue Capucine
Blue Capucine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on a sunny autumn Sunday. Start of the trail is very busy, with pedestrians, mountain bikes and motorbikes all sharing the same path. So be patient and cautious at the beginning. Otherwise, it's very nice and peaceful in the forest.

/!\ I'm repeating my comment from May 2020: it's impossible to pass between points 3 and 5, despite our attempts, as trees and vegetation block the way. Cut point 4 by going from point 3 to 5.

Enjoy your walk.

Machine-translated

Calanquaise
Calanquaise
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: point 4 is currently inaccessible. Huge trees have fallen across the path. It is no longer possible to pass... There are two options: either skip point 4 by going from point 3 to 5, or cut through the woods (steep descent with brambles and lots of branches...) before point 4 to come out after point 4.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful walk through the woods all the way, very zen...

Machine-translated

Jean Luc Deloy
Jean Luc Deloy
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Trails in successive circular loops very poorly documented with explanations... met many people who had the same misunderstandings!

Machine-translated

Lolols
Lolols
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike, very pleasant. It's a shame that you can encounter motorbikes. It spoils it a bit... Otherwise, the paths are generally very passable.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Walk in the forest at the Col de la Luère

Visorando Member
Balade en forêt au Col de la Luère
↔3.46 mi ↗+732 ft ↘-728 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
A short loop for an afternoon stroll from the Col de la Luère. A very pleasant route, entirely in the forest, on easy paths and trails.

Walking Col de la Luère and Col de la Croix du Ban starting from Pollionnay

Visorando Member
Col de la Luère et Col de la Croix du Ban au départ de Pollionnay
↔5.30 mi ↗+1,115 ft ↘-1,129 ft ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
This route, which runs entirely through woodland, is pleasant in all seasons. Of moderate difficulty, it is the ideal route for a half-day hike. It is possible to start from the Col de la Croix du Ban, but parking spaces are limited.

Walking Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid Castle and Vaugneray from Pollionnay

Visorando Member
Château de Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid et Vaugneray depuis Pollionnay
↔6.87 mi ↗+1,526 ft ↘-1,516 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
A pleasant hike in the sunshine, perfect outside of summer! Superb views in three directions. Numerous paths but also small tarmac roads with very little traffic. A lovely 3-hour walk in the Monts du Lyonnais (estimated time for regular walkers).

Walking Loop between the Col de la Croix du Ban and the Col de la Luère

Visorando Member
Boucle entre le Col de la Croix du Ban et le Col de la Luère
↔5.08 mi ↗+1,142 ft ↘-1,138 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
A lovely circular route through the forest between two of the main passes of the Monts du Lyonnais.A breath of fresh air and a gentle warm-up just a stone’s throw from the city of Lyon.

Walking Around the Col de Malval

Visorando Member
Autour du Col de Malval
↔5.16 mi ↗+1,070 ft ↘-1,053 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
Circular loop starting from Col de Malval via Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.

Walking La Garine

Visorando Member
La Garine
↔6.10 mi ↗+846 ft ↘-817 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
A lovely walk starting from the Col de Malval, offering views of both sides of the Monts du Lyonnais, the Brévenne side and the Lyonnais basin, with the added bonus of views of the Matin mountains to the west and the Alps to the east when the weather is clear. Physically demanding climb between km 3 and 6.

Walking Circular route between Vaugneray and Pollionnay

Visorando Member
Une boucle entre Vaugneray et Pollionnay
↔4.68 mi ↗+981 ft ↘-968 ft ◔3h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Grézieu-la-Varenne (Rhône)
A circular loop of around two hours on the southern slopes of the Monts du Lyonnais with fairly varied scenery. A bit of a workout on the climb, and the paths are too uneven for a pushchair

Walking A loop starting from Pollionay

Visorando Member
Une boucle au départ de Pollionay
↔8.87 mi ↗+1,558 ft ↘-1,558 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
A refreshing hike between Pollionnay, La Croix du Ban, Col de la Luère and the Château de Saint-Bonnet le Froid. Much of this route is through woodland.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.