Circuit around Ancy via the ridges to the north-east of the Monts du Lyonnais

Beautiful 360° view at Mont Popey on the northern edge of the Monts du Lyonnais with, as a bonus in good weather, a breathtaking view to the east of the Monts d'Or, the Alps and Mont Blanc.
Interesting ridge trail in the forest or open countryside, well marked with beautiful views.
A paragliding launch site where, in good weather, you can enjoy the spectacular views!
The climb up Mont Popey and the descent to Mas Saint-Jean are a little steep, but take your time!

Details

237915
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 447 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 453 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 755 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 441 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Depart from the car park indicated at the exit of the village on the left coming from Savigny - Sain Bel.
Turn left onto Rue Centrale, head towards the village centre and the town hall.

(1) Take the road on the right in front of the church. Continue slightly to the right at the first intersection.

(2) At the end of the road, continue along the path that extends it and continue eastwards as close as possible to the Trésoncle stream without crossing it until you reach the D7.

(3) Cross it and take the path that climbs up to the right until the end of the bend to the left. At this fork, take the left to continue climbing on the winding path. Halfway up the slope, take the path straight ahead marked by a sign prohibiting motorcycles and motorised vehicles (it's steep!). Join the ridge path and turn right to pass a wooden chicane and climb up to Mont Popey.

(4) When you reach Mont Popey (607 m), take the steps opposite the steep, slippery path on the left. Retrace your steps for 300 m and follow the ridge path to the intersection (562 m).

(5) Continue straight ahead, then slightly to the left on the "normal" path (do not take the path indicated by a sign prohibiting motorcycles this time) to the Croix du Crêt at 622m.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the small road until you reach the small pass (710 m), a paragliding launch site.

(7) After the take-off point, leave the road that branches off to the left and take the path opposite after the take-off point. Continue along this yellow-marked path until you reach the Croix des Humberts (696 m).

(8) Cross the D7 and take the small road opposite towards Les Humberts. At the start of the left-hand bend, avoid the road by taking the marked path on the left and, after rejoining it, leave it on your left and take the path that climbs opposite (yellow markings) through the houses to the crossroads.

(9) Do not follow the marked path on the right, but continue straight ahead to join the road and follow it to the first houses in Montmenot.

(10) Change direction by turning left between two houses and follow the red and yellowGRP® (Tour des Monts du Lyonnais) signs to reach Mas Saint-Jean (be careful, steep descent).

(11) Take the small road on the right towards Le Monin and leave it at the end of a large bend on the right, taking the path that descends on the left (red and yellow markings) until you reach a new crossroads.

(12) Leave the marked path on the right, which continues to climb, and go straight ahead, then descend on the left towards "Le Mollon". When you reach the road, leave Le Mollon on your right and descend northwards. Leave the road that climbs to Les Arjoux on your right and cross the stream, taking the path on the left to the Croix de Mury.

(13) At the Croix de Mury (505m), continue on the path to the right heading north, following the stream, then take a small road to return to Ancy. In the village, you will find the car park on your left (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 513 m - Car park at the village exit coming from Savigny
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 507 m - Church
  3. 2 : km 0.27 - alt. 494 m - Path at the end of the road
  4. 3 : km 1.97 - alt. 448 m - Crossing the D7
  5. 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 599 m - Mont Popey
  6. 5 : km 3.98 - alt. 563 m - Go straight ahead at the intersection
  7. 6 : km 5.31 - alt. 622 m - The Cross of Crêt
  8. 7 : km 6.6 - alt. 710 m - Paragliding take-off site
  9. 8 : km 8.39 - alt. 697 m - Humberts Cross
  10. 9 : km 9.18 - alt. 751 m - Trail junction
  11. 10 : km 9.91 - alt. 754 m - GRP in Montmenot
  12. 11 : km 10.85 - alt. 604 m - Mas Saint Jean
  13. 12 : km 11.92 - alt. 593 m - GRP trail junction for the return route
  14. 13 : km 12.92 - alt. 505 m - Mury cross
  15. S/E : km 13.89 - alt. 513 m - village coming from Savigny

Notes

Good walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended for the descent to Mas Saint-Jean for those with weak knees...

Worth a visit

(1) Church square
(4) Superb view in good weather and when the trees have not yet lost all their leaves.
Picnic tables on the ridge between (4) and (5)
Several crosses and calvaries from the 19th century
(7) Paragliding take-off area at "La Liouffe"
Viewpoints over most of the circuit.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 28 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
bertrand de montclos
bertrand de montclos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that took 4 hours plus a picnic break.
Beautiful view of the cross
An easy route

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jctrimintin
jctrimintin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with magnificent views. The difficulty lies in the climb up Mont Popey, which is steep. I use a Garmin GPS, so I had no problem following the trail

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Fred69
Fred69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did it on a pretty cold day, but the initial climb warmed me up nicely
Not too much tarmac, beautiful scenery, and the view from Mont Popey is superb, with Mont Blanc in the background. The fog in the valley below was magnificent.
I had a great time, keeping up a good pace and finishing in about 4 hours with a quick lunch break. But there are lots of places to stop for a break. It's varied and very pleasant. Be careful on the steep descent, as indicated, walking sticks are useful.
I'll definitely be back!

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OPTHOMAS
OPTHOMAS

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy walk (the climb up Popey isn't that steep) with beautiful views. Depending on the season, time of day, etc., it might be worth doing in the opposite direction. It's also worth noting that there are several shortcuts available if you need to get back to your car quickly (in case of bad weather, for example).

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Vincent Soulage
Vincent Soulage

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very useful guidebook for a pleasant hike.
You really need the guidebook and map because the directions and signposting on site are a bit patchy.
Overall, a very peaceful hike with gentle slopes and varied terrain (we didn't have walking sticks, so we didn't have to change the tips, which was nice). There are two slightly steeper sections (the descent towards Le Poppy and another section on the way down), as indicated in the guidebook.
Finally, there were quite a few sheltered spots, especially along the ridge line, which was nice in the summer heat.
Many thanks to the creator.

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Planette
Planette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

First of all, a big THANK YOU to all of you for the wonderful hikes.

ANCY hike

A beautiful hike with moderate difficulty.
The descent is quite steep, so avoid doing it in wet weather.
There are some very beautiful views.
The hike is suitable for families.

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Fpig
Fpig

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. We highly recommend it.

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mica69
mica69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely tour in the heart of the mountains and hills with breathtaking views. You can extend the loop by passing through Crêt d'Arjoux for a picnic break if you set off early in the morning

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Planette
Planette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

The departure point is exactly at the car park in front of the church in Ancy.

The description of this hike is excellent, but there are a few places where the signposts are missing. However, you'll get there in the end.

It's a beautiful hike, and I recommend doing it in April or May when everything is in bloom. I did it last week and plan to do it again at the end of April. I'm lucky to be able to hike during the week when there's hardly anyone around.

Thank you very much for everything.

Take care, see you soon.

Fabienne

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Vérobron
Vérobron

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Some beautiful views but a bit too much tarmac from Croix Humbert point 8 onwards.

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Cécile Internations
Cécile Internations

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent landscapes. All the hikers were delighted.
The indication of the steepness of the slope was very accurate. It was really very steep.

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rpauletto
rpauletto

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike with beautiful views.
The description is sometimes lacking in detail in certain places, for example to get to Mount Popey,
but you can still find your way!

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mathnicoles
mathnicoles

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike starting from Ancy.
The descriptions are not very reliable. I strongly recommend downloading the GPX file and installing an app to follow it.
Also, I found that the terrain changes a lot during the hike (dirt, then stones, then asphalt), which isn't great because you have to change the tips on your walking sticks quite often.

Otherwise, I recommend this hike for its magnificent views

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marite49
marite49

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful ridge walk, half forest and half field
beautiful crosses
Beautiful paths, little tarmac
Easy

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Bob0909
Bob0909

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and enjoyable walk with great weather and superb views of the Alps. We will definitely do it again.

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