La Rive Dam Circular Route

The easier of the two dams at La Valla-en-Gier, offering beautiful and varied light depending on the season, time of day and weather...

Details

n°3889552

Creation:
22 Aug 2020

Last update:
13 Sep 2020

Last review:
23 Oct 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 3.29 km
Average duration: 1h 00
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 14 m
Descent: - 14 m
Highest point: 542 m
Lowest point: 522 m

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Massif du Pilat
City: La Valla-en-Gier (42131)
Start/End: N 45.426868° / E 4.514649°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2933ET
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Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available by the wall of the Barrage de la Rive at the junction of Route de Laval and Route de la Valla-en-Gier (D2).

(S/E) Head towards Laval; after two houses on the left, turn left down the slope to join the path below. The path runs right alongside the reservoir; there is no need to look for signposts (they are very discreet). Follow the shore until you reach a small wooden bridge at the far end of the lake.

(1) Cross the bridge and take the path on the left to reach a second bridge crossing the Jarret (usually with a lower flow than the Ban and sometimes dry in summer).

(2) Cross the bridge and, after it, turn left to continue along the path to the wall (you’ll come across two paths leading uphill to the right; keep left). At the wall, turn left to cross the dam and return to the start (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 528 m - Car park near the - Gier (rivière) à finaliser
1 : km 1.63 - alt. 525 m - Bridge over the River Ban
2 : km 1.71 - alt. 530 m - Bridge over the river "Le Jarret"
S/E : km 3.29 - alt. 528 m - Car park

Notes

No special equipment required; the path is flat and clear; a good pair of trainers will suffice.
Water points: the dam itself is one.
The trail is sheltered from the sun almost all the way along as it runs under the trees.
Do not attempt the circular route if the weather is stormy, as there is little shelter.
Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir.

Worth a visit

Soulages Dam: more challenging as it is less accessible

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
4.2 / 5

Christine00000

23 Oct 2023 at 09:52 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Coline Roux

26 Mar 2023 at 13:34 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk. There are quite a few runners, but there’s plenty of room to share the path.

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spockdodo

17 Apr 2022 at 20:52 7200 • Edited: 17 Apr 2022 at 20:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Walk taken on 16 April in perfect weather
Of course it’s short, but it’s very pretty and very easy – perfect for a family walk with children. There’s no elevation gain, it follows the water all the way, and the wide path isn’t a track suitable for vehicles.
Next time we’ll do the Soulages dam just below, which looks a bit more challenging to walk around.
Thank you!

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mike3342

24 May 2021 at 09:17 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route. A wide, flat path, shaded throughout with views of the reservoir. The perfect family walk, just a stone's throw from St Chamond

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duncan069

25 Mar 2021 at 14:12 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A solo stroll during my lunch break. It was sunny the whole way.
I didn’t come across many people.
The description is accurate, but as for the time… without rushing and whilst taking photos, it took me 38 minutes.

Suitable for children,

In conclusion, a pleasant walk, though perhaps a bit short.

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