Vieux Jonc route

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This walk takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes and crosses the Vieux Jonc twice.

Details

n°6427254
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.46 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 102 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 102 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 896 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 823 ft
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Photos

Dombes pond
Grandes Parquières pond
Le Vieux Jonc
Horses

Description of the walk

The walk starts at the car park of the Saint-Paul-de-Varax cemetery, near Étang Servisey.

(S/E) Turn right onto the D17 for about 400 m. Watch out for traffic.

(1) At the Mont-Jeangloux signpost, turn right towards Boisson. Follow this road to the hamlet of La Carronnière, then continue along the path leading past the ponds.

(2) At the signpost, turn right and continue along this road. On the left is the Guillet pond, which you should go round. Continue for about 500 m.

(3) At the junction (Boisson signpost), turn left towards Pelet and Étang des Bourrelières. Pass through the hamlet, continue along the dirt track and cross the Vieux Jonc via a footbridge. Carry on straight ahead along the track until you reach a tarmac road.
At the ‘Étang des Bourrelières’ signpost, turn right towards Saint-Paul-de-Varax for about 400 metres.

(4) Take the dirt track on the right. Carry on straight ahead. At the ‘Vieux Jonc’ signpost, carry on straight ahead. Cross the Vieux Jonc via the Roman bridge. At the ‘Moulin Cailloux’ signpost, turn right onto the Chemin de Véllières, then left onto the Chemin des Oliviers and head for the cemetery (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 896 ft - Saint-Paul-de-Varax cemetery
  2. 1 : mi 0.24 - alt. 896 ft - Mont-Jeangloux signpost
  3. 2 : mi 1.15 - alt. 876 ft - Signpost - Étang des Petites Parquières
  4. 3 : mi 2.07 - alt. 853 ft - Pelet junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.73 - alt. 873 ft - Start of the path - Étang des Bourrelières
  6. S/E : mi 3.46 - alt. 896 ft - Saint-Paul-de-Varax cemetery - Étang Servisey

Notes

Parking is available at the Saint-Paul-de-Varax cemetery.

75 per cent tarmac. Take care on the section running alongside the D17 before (1).

Restaurant in Saint-Paul-de-Varax.

Worth a visit

Nearby, the Domaine de la Dombes campsite offers a range of leisure activities such as fishing, tree-top adventure courses, etc.

In Saint-Paul-de-Varax there is a museum housing paintings by Louis Jourdan, a local painter from the early 20th century. Along the walk, there are also information boards explaining his sources of inspiration.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
bibichon
bibichon

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy route, but best done in spring, as there is a lot of fog and the paths are muddy, making it less interesting.

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girardin
girardin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk. We shortened the hike because we started from Saint Paul, and when we reached Grange Pelet, we didn't do the circular route and returned to Saint Paul (but crossing the D1083 road was quite dangerous).

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girardin
girardin

we haven't gone hiking yet

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MORISSEAU
MORISSEAU

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Luckily I was following the route with my phone and GPS, because the directions are often wrong, like "turn right"... well no, it's left... Otherwise, it's a very nice route, apart from the first 400 metres on the main road in a bend... the rest is great...

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route66
route66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant afternoon of family hiking

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Paul Vercout
Paul Vercout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route allows you to discover the different facets of the Dombes, its ponds, farms and settlements. During the day, the birds are more discreet.

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MJO69
MJO69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route for a short walk to discover the Dombes region.

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collignonfv
collignonfv

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Parking near the cemetery is fine. The route is easy to follow and can be shortened for "less experienced walkers". Unfortunately, there are very few views of the ponds, mainly due to the abundant vegetation.

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Danie01
Danie01

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very easy route – through woods and along small paths or quiet roads. A lovely afternoon walk.

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babs01
babs01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short route around the ponds, very pleasant, well signposted and with good explanations.

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Les noux'
Les noux'

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy route, surrounded by ponds. Very good explanations. No difficulty. A relaxing walk.

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Mafaheno
Mafaheno

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route that matches the description: interest, duration, difficulty. Easy and enjoyable route for the whole family.

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veroloeb
veroloeb

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is very easy, it's a lovely walk to relax 😎.

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jjasserand
jjasserand
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly short hike with three children aged between four and eight, a lovely walk between the ponds and Le Vieux Jonc.

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