Circuit from Pierre Noire to Chanaz

A short walk for a half-day outing from the tourist village of Chanaz. In the village, directional signs clearly indicate the Circuit de Pierre Noire.
Lovely viewpoint over the village and its canal, the Rhône river developments, Mont Colombier, etc.

Details

171933
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 197 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 197 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 430 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 233 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park at the entrance to the village coming from Yenne, take the street that runs alongside the Portout Canal.
Turn right as you pass a square, then left and immediately right.

(1) Then go up the steep Rue du Moulin, which passes close to the Moulin de Chanaz. At a hairpin bend in the road, take a path that is sometimes equipped with steps. Go up the path to reach the vineyard road.

(2) Turn left and head east on this road. It continues as Rue de Pierre Noire, which itself continues as a grassy path.

(3) The path turns into a trail that climbs up the cliff, with a 50-metre cable passage allowing you to cross the ledge.
The trail then becomes a path again as it emerges above the cliff and gradually heads south.
Make a round trip to the viewpoint on the right, a little way off the path. Continue south along the path, which begins to descend.

(4) Join a winding road. Shortcuts allow you to cut across these.

(5) When you reach the first houses, descend to the right via Route des Puits, cross the Couloir, then reach Praille. Turn right at the bottom of the descent and rejoin the ascent route.
Turn left and rejoin the intersection passed on the way up.

(2) Descend into the village via Route de Chênes and stroll through the narrow streets before returning to the canal and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 233 m - Parking at the entrance to the village - Canal de Savière
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 236 m - Turn right.
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 293 m - Wine route.
  4. 3 : km 0.86 - alt. 314 m - Start of the grassy path
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 398 m - Winding road
  6. 5 : km 2.85 - alt. 364 m - Route des Puits
  7. S/E : km 4.08 - alt. 233 m - Car park - Rhône (le)

Notes

Follow the route in the suggested direction to pass the cable crossing on the way up.
Paid parking during the summer season.
Orientation table at the viewpoint.

Worth a visit

Visit the mill.
Visit the museum.
Stroll through the narrow streets and along the canal.
Go and see the lock via the footbridge.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
StessyA
StessyA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Start on the tarmac wasn't great
I did the hike with someone who isn't very athletic and she really struggled
The path is really narrow when you reach the climb, and part of it is quite difficult
Definitely not suitable for young children
Very nice view at the top

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courtelm
courtelm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A few slippery patches after the rain

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sesame73
sesame73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk above Chanaz

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Caroboiteamail
Caroboiteamail
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice route. The section through the woods where you have to use the cables to get onto the path can be difficult in wet weather, and I don't think you should do this hike in the other direction because the descent from this rock must be less enjoyable... Otherwise, it's a beautiful hike with a lovely view from the top

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lilas74
lilas74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A short, fairly shaded and fairly easy hike. However, caution is advised when crossing the cable if the ground is wet. Beautiful view of Chanaz, the Rhône and the canal from the viewpoint.
Visit the mill on your way through. The car park now seems to be pay-and-display, even in September.

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Allez hop c'est parti
Allez hop c'est parti

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A pleasant, accessible short hike from the pretty village of Chanaz towards the mill (just take care with children on the 50-metre climb to the cross, but there is a safety line available). The view from the Belvédère de la Pierre Noire viewpoint is well worth the detour. The forest sections are very pleasant and refreshing when it's hot. Continue towards St Pierre de Curtille if you want to increase the distance and elevation gain. Throughout the walk, you will have several possible directions and other viewpoints.

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agnes B 51
agnes B 51

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, fairly easy, mostly shaded hike, except for one technical section with a cable stretching a few metres, which burned our hands in the 30-degree heat and may prove a little difficult depending on your age and physical fitness.

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bgay
bgay

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful views of the Rhône river and the Jura mountains
lovely little walk

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BGT38
BGT38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Short circular walk, partly in the shade.
Beautiful views of Chanza

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CBEYENS
CBEYENS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

a lovely walk to admire the scenery
thank you

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klinero26
klinero26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk with views of Chanaz. Most of the route is shaded.
There is a short section with a cable, but it is not very difficult. Just be careful of the rocks, which can be slippery.
Time taken to complete the loop: 1 hour 20 minutes at a leisurely pace with two adults.
The mill was closed, so we couldn't visit, which was a shame.

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Heidi
Heidi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable

A nice short circular walk with a beautiful viewpoint.
Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the short section with cables and rocks can be slippery.
The loop passes in front of the oil mill, which is open to visitors (with explanations from the miller). In this case, allow an extra half hour for the hike.

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robingilles74
robingilles74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Marked route, a difficult rock passage that can be slippery before reaching the summit. Chanaz is worth a look

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Machecourt
Machecourt

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A short springtime stroll before aperitif time: the medieval village, flower-filled gardens and woodland. For small children, there is a short technical section to negotiate on the way up

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Clingendael
Clingendael

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Yesterday, the weather was perfect for a walk along the Pierre Noire trail in Chanaz. Very clear explanations. Visit to the Gallo-Roman museum, which was very interesting and surprising. Walnut and hazelnut mill worth visiting. Pleasant, wooded trail. Unobstructed view of the Rhône. A trail to revisit with friends on holiday in the region.

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