Granges de Merlas circular in Massieu

A walk through fields and forests to discover the small heritage of our forests, such as barns and forest huts.

Details

282723
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 339 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 343 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 795 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 469 m

Description of the walk

Access: It is easy to park along the RD49c (Route de Saint Sixte) in small dirt parking areas.

(S) Take a forest path that descends below the D49c at a barn. The path veers left, away from the road. Shortly afterwards, ignore a path on the right that goes back up towards the road and continue straight ahead until you reach two barns on either side of the path.

(1) Here, the path splits in two. Take the left fork and stay on the main path. Shortly after turning right at a three-way junction, you will see a small forest hut at Prat Pérou.

(2) Turn right onto the path that runs alongside it at the bottom. Continue along this path, staying on the main track. Ignore a path on the left and behind you. The path makes a wide turn to the right, then veers left again. Ignore a path on the left. After another right turn, ignore two more paths on the left to reach the hamlet of Le Matton, in the commune of Massieu.

(3) At the entrance to the hamlet, leave the path on the right and follow the main road which turns right. Ignore a path on the right and continue to another path on the right.

(4) Take this path which climbs up through the fields. The path turns right. At the fork, ignore the path on the right and continue on a left turn. This leads to another path.

(5) Take the path on the right, then ignore two paths on the left to return to Granges du Touvat.

(1) Take the same path as on the way out to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 650 m - Dirt parking areas along the D49c
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 628 m - Granges du Touvat
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 794 m - Prat Pérou forest hut
  4. 3 : km 3.77 - alt. 492 m - Entrance to the hamlet of Le Matton
  5. 4 : km 4.13 - alt. 469 m - Exit the hamlet of Le Matton
  6. 5 : km 5.02 - alt. 566 m - Turn right
  7. S/E : km 6.29 - alt. 649 m - Dirt parking areas along the D49c

Worth a visit

Between (2) and (3) Numerous barns, in varying states of repair, are hidden away near this section of the route in the surrounding fields and forests.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
Fred-ecbf
Fred-ecbf

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Probably better in sunshine
The overcast weather deprived us of the panoramic views

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Eiko38
Eiko38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Enjoy your walk in the forest. At the beginning, there is a long climb that is quite gentle. However, the ground is very slippery and very stony, which is not pleasant at all, both on the way up and on the way down. And contrary to what is indicated, there is no parking available at the starting point, which is also difficult to find!

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Clinique Vaugneray
Clinique Vaugneray

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

More difficult than I expected. The climb in the first section is quite steep at the end!
Otherwise, it's very pleasant under the trees...

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serenite
serenite

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

We extended our route by heading towards Lake Sixte and rejoining the original trail. Beautiful climbs, beautiful descents; all through the woods today, which was very welcome! The path was very well marked, but there were no yellow markings. At the same time, I took a different route, so there were no surprises. Overall, it was nice, but there were very few views.

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Viso38
Viso38

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

After a long period of rain, the paths have turned into rivers and are impassable, which is a shame because I find the area very pretty.
Difficulty finding a place to park at the starting point.

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Botrychelunaire
Botrychelunaire

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely route that I extended because I thought it would be a shame not to go to the pond.

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philibert.sylvie
philibert.sylvie

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The description is a bit brief. Very beautiful views of Lake Paladru, even if the weather wasn't necessarily great. The clouds made this walk feel like a moonwalk at times!!!!

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bibi
bibi ★

Thank you for your feedback. Is it the starting point (where to park) or the start of the trail that is difficult to find? How would you clarify this?
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards

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bubu01
bubu01

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Difficult to find starting point, very stony path with little interest.

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gloriamaris
gloriamaris

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike, almost entirely through woodland, which is very welcome in hot weather. There is a problem with the description between points 4 and 5; just follow the yellow markings.

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philic
philic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Be warned, the first part is very steep, so plan to take breaks and bring bottles of water for novices like me.
Otherwise, it's a beautiful walk with snow in places. At the top of the climb, there is a small refuge where you can settle down for a very pleasant picnic.

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anubis380
anubis380

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk, nice hike.
Yellow markings from 4 to the finish.

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