Châtelus route along the Couzon and towards Marcenod

Park in the car park at the Châtelus village hall.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, turn left and head up the road. Once at the junction, turn right and continue for about 50 metres.

(1) Leave the road and take a path on the left heading towards Grange Berne; this rejoins the road you left a hundred metres further on. Cross over to follow the road opposite towards Côte Ratier and pass the hamlet.

(2) Keep to the right on the path that continues towards Grange Berne, rejoin the road and go straight on until you reach the hairpin bend to the right.

(3) Turn left onto the path that runs alongside the Couzon: this path is signposted with wooden arrows bearing five Red Circles. Stay on the main path, which climbs up to the Jouban farm.

(4) Take the path branching off to the right, which overlooks the valleys and the Couzon, following the contour line. Reach a T-junction and turn right. Descend to a hairpin bend and take the path on the right.

(5) Cross the Couzon to reach the opposite bank. Further on, ignore a path on the right and continue to the Route du Rivoirard.

(6) Turn left towards the Moulin du Pas, which is 50 m away on the right. At the first junction, turn left towards the Chaprenet farm, which you should go round at the back: view of the village of Marcenod on your right.

(7) The road turns into a path; follow this until you reach Route de Montmain. Cross the road and take the path opposite.

(8) Cross the small wood of Pin Picard, continue along the same path to the Route du Thévenon. Make a quick first turn left then right to follow the Route du Grand Chemin for about 1 km until you reach a wayside cross.

(9) Follow the path branching off to the left at the foot of the cross, which descends fairly steeply to the Route de Balmont. Cross the road and continue down the path opposite to the Darde-Coise stream, which you cross to climb back up to the Route de Soleymieux. Continue to the left, pass the hamlet, then take the path branching off to the left which leads below a farm.

(10) Continue along the path that descends to the left and joins Route de Châtelus (D71E). Turn left, cross the bridge over the Darde-Coise and go straight on along Allée des Tilleuls. At the junction, turn left, leaving the castle on your right, then keep left immediately to return to the village hall car park (S/E).