Crêt du Py Froid (772m) walks

A very nice circuit around the Monts du Lyonnais to explore the climbing area at Py Froid.

Varied itinerary: Forest on the climb toward the Crêt de Py Froid then at the start of the descent. The landscape opens out on the descent, becoming more rural. A little walking on the road.

Starting from the pleasant shores of Lac de Ronzey, this hike takes you to its highest point, Crêt du Py Froid, passing by a dolmen and the Châteauvieux chapel. Finally, your steps will lead you to the dam on the Garon. Magnificent panoramic views of the Mont du Lyonnais and the city of Lyon will accompany you throughout your journey.

Starting from Messimy, on the outskirts of Lyon, this circular route takes you to the small Yzeron waterfall, passing through the hilltop village of Chateauvieux, the Py-Froid viewpoint and the dolmen in the Faix woods. Author’s note: This description was written some time ago. Please check reviews and makeuse of the Visorando app

Beautiful views of Lyon, Pilat, the Monts du Lyonnais and, with a bit of luck, as far as Mont Blanc. The chapel is sometimes open at weekends and is well worth a visit.

A very pleasant hike in the Monts du Lyonnais. You will enjoy magnificent panoramic views throughout the route.

Thurins, the "raspberry capital", is the starting point for this hike to discover the countryside, forests and viewpoints of the Monts du Lyonnais.

Yzeron is one of the villages in the Monts du Lyonnais; see Lord Joseph de Mont-d’Or, who established the famous prebend. The landscape is beautifully undulating, alternating between paths and trails through wooded areas. This walk, starting from the hikers’ car park, takes you to the Py Froid bouldering site, much loved by climbers, as well as the Romanesque chapel of Châteauvieux and a small waterfall (if it has rained). You cross from one side of the valley to the other several times, with ever-changing scenery, ranging from coniferous forests on the northern slopes to the densely wooded southern slopes. This hike can become absolutely magical, reminiscent of the Round Table of the 69, where the Druids, the Knights of the Round Table, the Lady of the Lake or Merlin could very well all be from Lyon. In any case, it is certain that La Dame, not of the lake, but of Châteauvieux, would rest well in this famous chapel.

A short walk around the rocks of Crêt du Py Froid. The path is a bit bumpy but remains very easy to follow. Other longer and less steep walks are possible. __Saturday 10 April 2011. Please note: the suggested parking area is on private property. Awaiting an update from the author__

From Yzeron, this lovely, very hilly route climbs towards the imposing statue of the Madonna overlooking the village, then passes by the Saint-Clair Chapel, the peaceful village of Courzieu, the hamlets of Lafont and Les Vechères, ascends to the Courzieu wildlife park and the Château de Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid before descending to Cunieux. To complete the circular route, it crosses the Col de la Fausse, traverses the Yzeron valley via Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux and then the Châteauvieux Chapel, and via the Crêt de Py Froid returns to the starting point.

Located in the Monts du Lyonnais, this circular route runs mainly through the woods of the Yzeron and Garon valleys. From Thurins, the trail climbs the hill separating the two valleys and descends to Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux. It climbs back up to the source of the Garon via Châteauvieux and Yzeron, then through the woods to Thurins. Along the route, take some time to visit the dolmen and chapel in Châteauvieux.