Châteauvilain walks

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.

This is an easy walk that takes you past Dauphiné houses, the ponds of Saint-Didier-de-Bizonnes and the Brosses forest. In the second part of the walk, you will enjoy some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks (even the summit of Mont Blanc).

An easy walk among the ponds in the heart of the Nantoin Forest. At the end of the walk, you will be rewarded with a splendid view of the Liers plain, the Chartreuse, the Alps and the Vercors.

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.

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.

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.

You climb the hillside of La Côte Saint-André (ND de Sciez) from where you have a remarkable view: from the Monts du Pilat in the west to the Mont du Chat in the north-east, passing through the Vercors, Belledonne and Chartreuse. From certain vantage points, on clear days you can even see the summit of Mont Blanc. On the way back, you will pass by the village's main attractions.

An easy walk around Lake Paladru, allowing you to discover some fascinating Carthusian buildings. The Grange Dimière is a listed building and, higher up, the former Carthusian monastery, which is now privately owned and not open to visitors.

This route, which passes by two viewpoint indicators, offers amazing views over plaine de la Bièvre and the Vercors and the Chartreuse mountain ranges.

This is a pleasant walk with varied scenery. You will pass Notre-Dame des Vignes in Valencogne, Lake Paladru in Paladru and, on the heights, the charming Chapelle des Trois Croix in the Dauphinois style. There are no difficulties to be expected, apart from the distance. Halfway through the walk, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the mountains.

An easy little walk for a Sunday afternoon.

A day's walk, quite lovely and varied. You start by going through the Grand Platon Forest, then going along the south-east bank of the lake with beautiful views over the lake. You change banks and go along the Feydelière and Véronnière marshes ('Marais' - protected sites). The return is via the north-west bank of the lake with beautiful views over Chartreuse and, if the weather is clear, Mont Blanc.

In the heart of the Bonnevaux Forest, this is an easy, short walk with plenty of shade in summer. You will walk alongside several ponds.

A short walk that takes us to Mont Morel and Étang de Charamel via the Tilleul de Sully, with a glimpse of the archaeological site of Panossas.

An easy route alternating between hills, forests, ponds and views of the mountains in the distance. A superb 360° panorama in the village of Pommiers-de-Beaurepaire.

This circuit will take you to Lac de Moras and, on a clear day, there is a superb view of the Alps and the lake from the Moras cemetery.

This is a fairly short trail through the village of Izeaux. It takes you around the centre of the village, and offers some lovely views of the village.Take a few 'tracolets' through the heart of the village, and you'll discover some of the remarkable features of Izeaux.

A very easy loop through this peaceful woodland. The chestnut wood is home to several protected bird species. This walk is best enjoyed in spring or on the last beautiful days of autumn.

A lovely, gentle walk, part of which is along the Rhone, which you can do as a family.