Cessieu walks

Seventh stage of the Way of St James. This stage is mainly in open country with little elevation gain. You walk along the hills and copses of the eastern part of the Liers plain. Here and there, you’ll catch glimpses of the surrounding hills and peaks.

A lovely, slightly challenging route through fields and woods, taking in three chapels.

This short family walk offers beautiful panoramic views of the Aravis, Mont Blanc, the Dent du Chat, the Bauges, Belledonne, the Chartreuse and the Vercors.

A lovely walk in the heart of northern Isère. It offers numerous panoramic views, from the summit of Mont Blanc to the Chartreuse Mountains.

This hike will first take you to the heights of the hamlet of Le Molard with beautiful views of the mountains and the surroundings of Rochetoirin. You will then walk through the Tire Gerbe forest before reaching the Étang de Gole lake near Montcarra. There is a picnic area where you can stop for lunch before climbing up the other side to discover Montcarrad and its castle. You will finish by passing near the Reculefort farm, where you can buy refreshments.

An easy route accessible to families with children, offering varied landscapes: woods, meadows and villages. Views of the Alps.

A forest where you feel at peace. According to legend, the Vallin forest in the commune of Saint-Victor-de-Cessieu was frequented by druids and Templars who came to enjoy its healing properties. Several places in the forest are said to be full of energy, and there is a special energy in this place that confuses compasses. It is a pretty forest of beech, oak and hazel trees. Part of the forest has been replanted with Douglas firs, cherry trees and red oaks.

A lovely, pleasant and varied walk. There are no difficulties to be feared, as the elevation gain is well distributed. Towards Quinsonnas, you will have beautiful views of the mountains. You will pass three interesting buildings: the Château de Quinsonnas, the Demeure de Fichaillon and the Church of Vermelle. The icing on the cake is the descent into the charming valley of the Verneicu stream.

Hike around Montbernier, between forest and plateau. A lovely, gentle route around Montbernier. Beautiful views of the surrounding area as you walk across the plateaus. A shaded route that combines forest and field paths.

Walk along small roads and paths with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Mont Blanc.

This is an easy, short hike offering superb views of the Vercors and Chartreuse mountains once you reach the plateau. The route takes us through wooded areas and agricultural plateaus, mixing shade and light. Best done in good weather to enjoy the coolness of the forest and the unobstructed view.

An easy, exotic and family-friendly route to discover the plateau, which offers superb views of the Alps in good weather. Views of the valleys of Saint-Chef and Montcarra.

A pleasant hike, mostly on paths and trails, with a good part in the woods. The route is hilly and shaded, with a variety of points of interest: horses at the equestrian centre, the Gouille pond and hut, the Agny valley, the charming little 12th-century church of Vermelle and the Chapel of La Petite Salette in Meyrié.

This route faces south, on the slopes of Crucilleux. Very pleasant between September and April/May, it allows you to enjoy every ray of sunshine. Avoid during the hot summer months. It allows you to discover varied landscapes and cross the Balmes Dauphinoises vineyards on the slopes of Crucilleux and Choulin. As you pass through the hamlets of Crucilleux and Arcisse, you can admire beautiful adobe buildings and local heritage sites (calvaries, wash houses, fountains, palisades). The path along the ridges of Mont de Crucilleux offers panoramic views of the mountain ranges from Bugey in the north to Vercors in the south, including Mont Blanc, Vanoise, Belledonne and Chartreuse.Half of this route is on paths and half on small country roads, most of which have little traffic.

This route is best enjoyed from spring to autumn. The forest section is pleasant in hot weather, but can be damp after a period of rain. It runs alongside the Canal des Moines, a remnant of medieval construction. In its upper section, the route offers panoramic views of the mountain ranges from Bugey in the north to Vercors in the south, including Mont Blanc, Vanoise, Belledonne and Chartreuse. It also offers unobstructed views of the surrounding hills and the Pilat and Ardèche mountain ranges to the west. The balcony path above the village of Montcarra and the descent to the village of Saint-Chef offer pleasant views.Apart from the start and end (urban sections), this route is largely on unpaved paths. In the upper section, the high-voltage power line is a significant drawback, but the route keeps as far away from it as possible.

Saint-Chef, a large village in the Dauphiné region, is well known to fans of Frédéric Dard, author of the adventures of Commissioner San Antonio. This circular route allows you to follow in his footsteps and discover the beautiful Château de Chapeau Cornu halfway through the walk.

This route is best enjoyed from spring to autumn. The forest sections are pleasant in hot weather. In its upper section, the route offers panoramic views of the mountain ranges from Bugey in the north to Mont Blanc in the east. The descent to the village of Saint-Chef offers a pleasant view of the castle district and the abbey. A significant part of the route is on tarmac roads. However, most of these roads are old connecting roads with very little traffic.

This is an easy, well-known walk that allows you to discover the surroundings and heritage of Saint-Chef. In particular, it takes you past the abbey church.

A lovely loop if you fancy an easy, not too long, shady walk, starting from the Chapelle-de-la-Tour car park, with no special equipment required. You could potentially spot ponies, horses, cattle, etc. We went in May, so we recommend going in the morning for the shade and milder temperatures in summer.

A beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Bugey Mountains, the Épine Massif and the Chartreuse, with the Alps in the background.

This is a short walk, best enjoyed on a clear day. It offers exceptional panoramic views stretching from the Monts de l'Ain to the peaks of the eastern Vercors, via the Dent du Chat, Mont Blanc, the Chartreuse, the Belledonne peaks, Taillefer and Dévoluy. There are no particular difficulties along the route.

This route, created by the culture and heritage committee of the commune of Saint-Chef, is designed to showcase the last remaining vestiges of palis (flat standing stones), as well as dwellings and farm buildings constructed from raw earth (rammed earth), and small rural heritage sites. Mostly south-facing, on the slopes of Chamont and Trieux, this hike is very pleasant between September and June but should be avoided in the intense heat of summer. The first part, between points (1) and (2), along the Ver stream, may include muddy sections during periods of heavy rain. A significant part of the route is on tarmac roads. However, most of these roads are old connecting roads with very little traffic. Only the Chamont road requires particular caution between points (4) and (5).

An unpretentious walk through the Éclose bocage and the Forêt du Roi.

Loop on the Vaux ridges (Chabons municipality) with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne mountains and the Hien, Bourbre and Ain valleys in good weather. The circuit mainly follows very wide, pleasant paths, with one section along the edge of the forest. Accessible to all.

An easy family walk from the Vézeronce marshes up to the heights of Charray. A few notable natural features along the route.

A short hike to keep fit around Salagnon, a commune in northern Isère located in the Bourgoin-Jallieu, Crémieu and Morestel triangle.

This walk allows you to discover the castles of Pupetière and Virieu. You first walk along the Bourbre valley on the hillside, then through the forest, passing the Croix du Moine Mort, and finally return to the hill towards Virieu.

Walk near the CAPI, mainly in the woods. In the first part, there are beautiful views of the Bourbre valley, Bourgoin-Jallieu and Isle d'Abeau. On the way back, you walk along the Étang de Moras, but the reeds prevent you from seeing the shore. A few communal ovens and wash houses adorn the route. Yellow signposts throughout the route. Allow between 3 and 4 hours depending on your pace and photo stops.

An easy little walk for a Sunday afternoon.