Route between Bagnols and Alix

A lovely, easy route with a section in the woods, stream crossings and a passage near the Villefranche-Tarare aerodrome, which can be quite busy at weekends and therefore generate some noise. A pleasant view of the Beaujolais mountains and the golden stone villages.

Details

1053947
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 97 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 95 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 338 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 257 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the Bruyères car park, at a place called Les Tuillières on the D19 between Chessy and Bagnols. After the Saint-Aigues greengrocer, take the first road on the right in the middle of a small industrial estate where there is a Renault garage and a body shop.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path on the right.

(1) Take the wide path on the right. Further on, at a hut and a crossroads, continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on either side. Continue downhill on a stony path.

(2) Take the hairpin bend on the left. You can see the road below and, if you go and look, you will see the "Pont des Soupirs" (Bridge of Sighs), which is not particularly interesting except as a landmark.

(3) Take the path on the right that descends towards the Ruisseau de Chambonne, then continue through the woods until you reach the junction where you join theGRP® des Pierres Dorées (yellow and red markings).

(4) Turn left.

(5) Keep right on theGRP® des Pierres Dorées, exit the woods and continue along the path until you reach the road that runs alongside the aerodrome.

(6) Turn left, then take the first path on the left and cross the Ruisseau de Chambonne again. Continue straight ahead until the next intersection.

(7) At the crossroads, turn right, being careful as the path is hidden behind a hedge. Head towards the stream and, before reaching it, turn left at a right angle and follow the path through the woods, continuing straight ahead.

(8) At the small road, turn left and then left again onto the path after the house and continue along it.

(7) Take the path on the right. Continue straight ahead, passing a hunters' shelter.

(9) Continue along the path that turns right. At the small road, turn left and continue along this road until you reach the starting crossroads.

(1) Return to the car park by following the path on the right (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 316 m - Les Bruyères car park
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 309 m - Petite Goutte
  3. 2 : km 1.79 - alt. 257 m - Hairpin bend, left
  4. 3 : km 2.05 - alt. 269 m - Chambonne stream
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 266 m - GRP Pierres Dorées
  6. 5 : km 3.08 - alt. 302 m - Les Seillettes
  7. 6 : km 4.09 - alt. 317 m - Villefranche-Tarare aerodrome
  8. 7 : km 4.72 - alt. 324 m - Loop to the right
  9. 8 : km 5.8 - alt. 338 m - Le Divin
  10. 9 : km 7.03 - alt. 301 m - The lake woods
  11. S/E : km 8.44 - alt. 316 m - Les Bruyères car park

Notes

This route follows part of the Pierres Dorées trail.

(7) You can shorten the route by approximately 1.5 km by not completing the loop and not passing through (8). To do this, turn left immediately.

Worth a visit

Pretty hilltop villages of the Pierres Dorées to visit: Charnay, Theizé with its Château de Rochebonne, which is open to visitors, and Bagnols with its castle converted into a luxury hotel.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 41 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
henri974
henri974

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A barely marked and very narrow path, poorly signposted junctions – in short, a hike we won't be doing again.

Machine-translated

TM69
TM69
• Edited:

aa

Machine-translated

henri974
henri974
• Edited:

No signposts - even with the Visorando app - terrible hike -

Machine-translated

TM69
TM69
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is as pleasant as ever, winding its way through meadows, Beaujolais vineyards and woods.
The succession of sunny and shaded sections makes this country walk very attractive.

Machine-translated

User 15483564

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, especially when it's warm, thanks to its pretty woodland.

Machine-translated

User 8367322

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

In the description, where red and yellow signs are sometimes mentioned, we only found yellow ones.

Machine-translated

Jacques L
Jacques L

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Short route, best done in dry weather.

Machine-translated

jef01
jef01

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is sometimes unclear. Signposts for another hike can be misleading, and we had to turn back once because we weren't sure which way to go. Otherwise, the hike is pleasant and offers beautiful views of the Beaujolais region.

Machine-translated

Polya73
Polya73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A smooth journey... that's what we dream of in spring, so we can see more birds

Machine-translated

Patoop
Patoop

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route with no difficulties. Be sure to park in the designated car park (dirt track).

Machine-translated

helene.nadin
helene.nadin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is not signposted, but the junctions are easy to spot with the map.
There are few paved sections and beautiful woodland, perfect for hot days.

Machine-translated

Baptiste B.
Baptiste B.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll through the woods.

Machine-translated

randoneuse 69
randoneuse 69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice route, mainly in the woods, few roads, pretty woods and undergrowth surrounded by fields and vineyards, pleasant when it's warm, you can also see the planes from the aerodrome, no difficulty, suitable for children and you can see pigs

Machine-translated

Damien Pagani
Damien Pagani

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A route with little relief and little interest, except for the fact that most of it is in the shade of the forest. There is nothing particularly characteristic of the Pierres Dorées region along this route. There may be occasional noise from the aerodrome.

Machine-translated

atracolat
atracolat

Hello, the routes suggested on Visorando by hikers are not marked, although they may sometimes overlap with permanent hiking trails (GR, PR, etc.). On Visorando, you should follow the written directions and the map of the suggested route. If you would prefer to follow marked trails as you are not experienced, I would encourage you to go on village walks, where the trails are well marked throughout. Best regards

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.