Route de la Mâtre to Chaleins

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Explore the area around Chaleins and the banks of the Mâtre for a countryside walk.

Details

n°21012606
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 25 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 241 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 209 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Chaleins (01480)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.03058° / E 4.80409°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3030SB
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Photos

Meadows before the final stretch through the woodland
Final stretch along the Mâtre
Surrounding fields
Donkeys

Description of the walk

Starting from Chaleins, town hall car park.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the D28g to the right.

(1) Turn left onto the Chemin de Chavaleins. At the crossroads, turn right onto a wide path. Ignore the path on the left and continue straight ahead.

(2) At the crossroads, take the path on the right to the D28g. Follow it to the left, then leave it to follow the small road opposite which leads to a dovecote. Cross the Mâtre and continue straight on along the path.

(3) At the junctions, turn right, then left. When you reach the houses, do not continue along the road straight ahead but turn onto the path on the right.

(4) When you reach the road, walk down to the right for about twenty metres before taking the path on the left. Take the second path on the left.

(5) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite, which heads off to the right. Pass a small pond, cross the Mâtre river, then head back up to the road. Follow it to the right to join the D75. Take it to the left. At the crossroads, turn right to reach the starting car park (S/E).

29% tarmac.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 234 m - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 233 m - Chemin du Chavaleins
  3. 2 : km 1.95 - alt. 234 m - Treizevent
  4. 3 : km 3.34 - alt. 225 m - Les Pierres
  5. 4 : km 4.51 - alt. 222 m - Saint-Jean de Vaux - Mâtre (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Saône
  6. 5 : km 5.97 - alt. 239 m - Les Trèves
  7. S/E : km 7.61 - alt. 234 m - Town hall car park

Notes

There is a water point at the village cemetery, on Chemin du Stade.
A picnic area is located next to the football stadium, on the other side of the cemetery, on Chemin du Stade.
You will find public toilets in the car park at the Place de la Mairie; others are located at the junction of the D28g (Route de Messimy) and the D75 (Route de Fareins).Finally, there are more in the car park at Place des Commerces (just past the junction of the D75 – Route de Fareins – and Place des Commerces), on the other side of the square where you’ll find the shops.

This walk is organised by the Val de Saône Centre Tourist Office in collaboration with the FF Randonnée de l’Ain.

Worth a visit

Saint Julien Church:
Standing on the large square where the war memorial also stands, the church, built in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style, dominates the heart of the village with its vast proportions and ring of buttresses. However, on closer inspection, one discovers features that reveal its Romanesque origins.

The dovecote:
First appearing in the Roman period, the earliest dovecotes began to be built in the Ain region from the Middle Ages onwards. To preserve this heritage in the Val de Saône, this new structure combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques.
It is built using reclaimed traditional materials and rammed earth (a method of construction using raw earth).

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 27217205

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, offering a change of scenery with views of woodland and a small river that you wouldn’t expect at first glance. It’s a chance to spot some peaceful insects and listen to the murmur of the water and the birdsong. Please note that there is a section towards the end which may be difficult for children, as the path had not been mowed when we were there and the grass was chest-high.

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User 24588077

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very poorly signposted route

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leoneau
leoneau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk with no difficulty in walking

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Jeannot 7101
Jeannot 7101
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A very pleasant route with a lovely stretch leading to the dovecote and the river.
A slightly muddy section with brambles at the side of the path towards the end

The route is a bit longer; it’s now 8.2 km

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NeenaHB
NeenaHB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short solo walk with few people around
A route to avoid in hot weather – there isn’t much shade

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Office de Tourisme VSC
Office de Tourisme VSC

Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails!
The team at the Val de Saône Centre Tourist Office

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tempico
tempico

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very gentle walk; there are no difficulties along the route,
only the climb after the small river may be muddy in bad weather.

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Office de Tourisme VSC
Office de Tourisme VSC
• Edited:

Hello,
Thank you for your interest in our region.
We have taken your comment on board.
We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails!
The Val de Saône Centre Tourist Office team

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cabornes69250
cabornes69250

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The town hall car park was full, so we used the stadium car park instead; we crossed the D75 and went round the back of the school to reach the route. It’s a bit of a slog up to elevation 232, but the rest is fine. After Les Trèves, it’s a smooth ride as far as the approach to La Mâtre, then on to Tous Vents – a narrow path that’s more challenging for those who aren’t so fit.

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