Cols de la Luere, Maleval and Saint Bonnet le Froid

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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...

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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!

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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.

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