Étang Chardonnet circuit in Sainte-Olive

de fr

A pleasant walk typical of the Dombes. Mainly on tarmac but with very little traffic; you are on secondary roads. Along the route there is a high concentration of ponds, which are full of water in 2020. The view of the ponds is unobstructed and you will encounter many different birds. The walk is punctuated by a variety of landscapes: ponds, fields, copses and even a view of the Beaujolais region.

Details

n°3270869
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 294 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 288 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Sainte-Olive (01330)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.018774° / E 4.928391°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3030SB
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Photos

Dombes in winter
the Dombes in winter
The Dombes in winter
Swans

Description of the walk

Park in the Chemin des Étangs car park.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, turn right towards the Guillard pond, passing by the fish breeding ponds. You will arrive at the Guillard pond.
Turn left towards the Chardonnet pond and continue to a crossroads.

(1) Take the left-hand path, still heading towards Étang Chardonnet, and follow a dirt track to Les Carronnes. Here, turn right and follow the path. Pass the Mûres farm and Étang Chardonnet.

(2) Continue right until you reach La Micholière.

(3) Turn right and follow the path. You will reach the bank of the Étang de la Culatte and then a small wood. Enter the wood and follow the path, which first passes through the Bois de la Dame and then into an open area. After the Communes houses, you will find the Étang Platon.

(4) Walk along its bank and then further along the bank of the Étang Guillard. You will then come back to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Take the path you took on the way there to return to the car park at Sainte-Olive town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m - Parking: Chemin des Étangs
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 290 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 2.16 - alt. 290 m - Les Mûres
  4. 3 : km 2.79 - alt. 290 m - La Micholière
  5. 4 : km 4.2 - alt. 291 m - Platon Pond
  6. S/E : km 5.61 - alt. 289 m - Parking: Chemin des Étangs

Notes

60% tarmac.
The hike is easy, with no elevation gain. There is a picnic table at the start of the hike. As there are many birds, a pair of binoculars is recommended. These can be borrowed from the Dombes Tourist Office.

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (2) Étang Guillard: enjoy unobstructed views and many species of birds, including grey herons, mallards and great crested grebes.
(3) Les Mûres: here you can also enjoy beautiful views of the Beaujolais region. You may see coots, ducks and, with a little luck, a purple heron.
The restaurant Le Saint'Oliv, which serves traditional dishes, is located on the circuit.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 29 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
chris01-1973
chris01-1973

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and relaxing tour. I recommend it for anyone looking for a moment of peace and quiet.

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Promeneur du dimanche
Promeneur du dimanche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant Sunday afternoon walk, with beautiful birds and lovely views.
Very good description.

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Traceur D .et C.
Traceur D .et C.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Although the route is listed as a PR, some landmarks are missing.
VISORANDO allows you to follow the route more easily.
A beautiful walk in the Dombes with views of ponds and hamlets.
Avoid in foggy weather to get a better view of the ponds and birds.

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GillesBsmrt
GillesBsmrt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty walk through the hills between ponds, fields and farms, with some beautiful views and little traffic, making for a very pleasant stroll.
In the evening, bring mosquito repellent, which will come in handy, especially if you want to take photos by the pond.
I recommend it.

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Bidule01
Bidule01

I loved this route, which combines quiet roads (I didn't see anyone else) with woods and fields. Very well explained and a great time. Thank you

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Irène
Irène

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is completely flat. Wear boots or good waterproof shoes when it has rained. Bring binoculars for bird watching.

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tempico
tempico

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

in dry weather, a walk to do with young children, no problems crossing,
very relaxing, we didn't encounter any vehicles or walkers.

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Bidule01
Bidule01
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I loved this route, which combines quiet roads (I didn't see anyone else) with woods, ponds (many of which are cultivated due to lack of water) and fields. Very well explained and a great time.

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Paul Vercout
Paul Vercout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A trail that allows you to discover the Dombes region, its ponds, its crops and its habitat. Unfortunately, due to a lack of water, crops have sometimes replaced the ponds, and the strong winds of recent days have caused damage, flattening sunflowers and uprooting trees. Nevertheless, the trail is easy to follow and passages have been created.

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jlin
jlin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

easy hike with lots of birds, including wading birds and cormorants

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FAYLE-ES.J3
FAYLE-ES.J3
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy; it's a shame that the wet weather made the end of the route very muddy.

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jef01
jef01

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Route followed by instinct. Ponds dry, so directions need to be reinterpreted. A beautiful, easy walk in a change of scenery.

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Gisele38
Gisele38

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

This route is certainly interesting outside of summer, but in July, where you expect to see a pond, there is a field of corn or sunflowers! Unfortunately, I think this is yet another sign of global warming...
So instead of the four or five ponds we expected, there is only one... The others have dried up and are being farmed... The nicest part is the path through the Bois de la Dame.

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Jacques L
Jacques L

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A short half-day walk. Beautiful ponds.

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Isambert
Isambert
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk among the ponds of the Dombes. A bit of asphalt, but almost no cars.

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