From Hières-sur-Amby to Larina

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This circuit takes us from the village of Hières-sur-Amby at the foot of the cliff to the archaeological site of Larina on the cliff. It offers panoramic views of the Pilat Massif, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plains of Lyon and the Ain, and the foothills of the Bugey.

Details

n°517819
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 256 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 256 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 425 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 215 m
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Photos

Larina
the Fountain of Life
View of the Madonna
The Larina Plateau

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park on the left of the war memorial, on leaving Hières-sur-Amby towards Val d'Amby, Optevoz.

(S/E) From the car park, take the road on the left towards Optevoz. Take the first path on the right, then turn right again (yellow signpost). At the first crossroads, leave the yellow signposted path on your right and continue straight ahead.
When you reach a wider road, turn left. Follow it to the Larina Plateau (yellow signs).

(1) When you reach the plateau, leave the signpost on your left (you will come back to it later). Turn right and follow a wide path to the Madonna statue. Walk past the statue to enjoy the view. Then turn your back to the cliff and head towards the information boards on the mound opposite.

(2) Turn your back to table 23. Head right to reach the arrival point on the plateau. Leave the path on your left that you arrived on. Continue straight ahead (yellow markings). Take the leftmost path to the "Fontaine de la Vie" signpost.

(3) Head towards Mollard de Bourcieu, going straight ahead, slightly to the right. After the fence (zigzag passage), turn left onto a wider path and follow it to the road. Cross the road, take the path opposite and follow it until it joins a wider path.

(4) Turn left and follow the path to the cliff (yellow markings). Continue along the yellow-marked path which descends and runs along the top of the cliff. Follow it to the "Mollard de Bourcieu" signpost.

(5) Keep left on the Chemin du Charbonnier. Leave a wide path that branches off to the left and continue straight ahead until you reach the orientation table

(6) From the orientation table, descend to rejoin the wide path that branches off to the right (VTT12) marked with a red cross. Follow it, ignoring the paths to the right and left, until it turns into a small road.

(7) Take the path on the right (signposted circuit 2 and circuit 3). Follow it to a crossroads at an altitude of 339 metres. Leave the two paths that branch off to the left and continue straight down the path. At the "Chemin de la Serra" signpost, follow Saint-Joseph by going straight ahead.

(8) At the Saint-Joseph signpost, head towards Hières-sur-Amby. Follow the road on the right until you reach the Bourcieu fountain and turn right onto Chemin du Lac.

(9) At the "Les Côtes de Bourcieu" signpost, continue straight ahead, following the sign for "Sous la Madone". At the "Sous la Madone" signpost, follow "Hiéres-sur-Amby, le lavoir" and continue straight ahead.

(10) At the wash house, turn right onto the D52a and continue straight ahead towards Val d'Amby-Optevoz until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 215 m - Car park to the left of the war memorial
  2. 1 : km 1.23 - alt. 392 m - Larina plateau
  3. 2 : km 1.66 - alt. 391 m - Table 23
  4. 3 : km 2.09 - alt. 376 m - Fontaine de la Vie signpost, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 2.78 - alt. 385 m - Fork in the road, turn left
  6. 5 : km 3.63 - alt. 405 m - Mollard de Bourcieu signpost, on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.18 - alt. 415 m - Orientation table
  8. 7 : km 5.57 - alt. 400 m - Fork in the road, turn right
  9. 8 : km 6.92 - alt. 258 m - Saint-Joseph signpost, straight ahead on the road
  10. 9 : km 7.45 - alt. 249 m - Signpost Les Côtes de Bourcieu, straight ahead
  11. 10 : km 9.34 - alt. 216 m - Hières-sur-Amby wash house
  12. S/E : km 9.83 - alt. 215 m - Car park to the left of the war memorial

Notes

Toilets, war memorial square, except during periods of frost.

Between (1) and (2), you can explore the archaeological site of Larina.

From (5), you can reach (9) directly by following "Côtes de Bourcieu".

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 41 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
phdorando
phdorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with few tarmac sections. We followed the route on the app, so we had no problems.
Once you reach the Larina plateau, the view is spectacular and walking through the archaeological site is a real bonus.

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Pautho
Pautho

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike that takes about 3 hours.
No difficulty, even though it's quite steep at the start. Signposting is a bit confusing at times, but the GPS on the app helps you find your way if necessary.
As already mentioned, take care on wet days when walking on stony paths, but otherwise no problems.
Thanks to the author of this hike.

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User 19178376

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike, done with the family with a 7-year-old. Steep slope at the beginning, then it gets easier.

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chenedra
chenedra

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A remarkable site, and don't forget to visit the Necropolis for a guaranteed thrill.
Panoramic and geological viewpoints. Numerous educational panels.
Hot, dry weather; if the trail is very wet, it can become difficult.
GPS tracking is useful to avoid getting lost.

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User 21421261

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Difficulty following the directions between points 5 and 7. We didn't see the "orientation table"... but we still managed to find our way, luckily we are experienced hikers.
Otherwise, the route was varied and very interesting. Thank you
A good addition to exploring this archaeological site was a visit to the museum in Hières sur Amby.
Evelyne D

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andomir
andomir
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We shortened the route by leaving from the village of Chatelans
to visit the most interesting part, which is located on the plateau, and only walked around the plateau
A peaceful walk with no elevation gain, completed in two hours

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Fred345962
Fred345962

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

After missing the first path on the right (it's a fork and you have to take the left path; caught up by the GPS watch), no problem for the rest of the walk.

There's a lot to see:
- beautiful views of the surrounding countryside with the Bugey power station nearby
- beautiful passages through the woods
- especially the visit to the Larina plateau, which alone is worth the detour (particularly the necropolis).

The plateau was a little crowded due to a nearby car park that makes it easily accessible.

A very beautiful walk.

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BV61
BV61

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful, pleasant hike on paths and trails mainly in the woods. The first climb is quite steep, so it's best to bring walking sticks. There are a lot of people at Larina. We crossed a few hikers on this trail, but avoid doing it when it rains because it can be slippery. Other than that, it's a beautiful walk
thanks to the author for this route

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a.boutin
a.boutin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant and well-documented hike, great views
Despite the cool weather, we lingered at the Larina archaeological site and took the time to read the many explanations provided

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GuyBonnet
GuyBonnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike that takes about three hours, but you won't spend much time reading the information panels at the archaeological site. There is a slightly steep slope at the beginning. Yellow markings are few and far between, so it's best to have a GPS with a map. An interesting site with beautiful views of the plateau. The route varies between cliffs, woods and meadows. We didn't see any other hikers at the end of November, but there were a few hunters.

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Keeshond
Keeshond

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's difficult without GPS. The yellow markings are often faded.
With GPS, no worries.
It was quite busy that day... there was an orienteering race. We did come across some hikers who were following the same route.
Beautiful view from the Madonna and well-maintained archaeological site.

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Cath.G
Cath.G

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Hike completed at the end of February, good weather and good visibility. Fortunately, we had the description because there are few markers and they are often half erased. The Larina site is very interesting to visit; its plateau position offers beautiful views of the entire landscape (provided you don't look too much towards the nuclear power plant, which spoils the view of the village and is very close to the houses...). Best to visit when the trees are not yet in leaf or in autumn/winter.

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chrisgil-dive
chrisgil-dive

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good description as the signposts have disappeared. We loved this hike because of the archaeological site at the start (mainly a burial site) and then the "elves' forest" with lots of moss on the trees. A few people at the start, then very quiet.
It is possible to avoid the villages. Confirmation in dry weather because it is very humid even after a month of drought.

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Gilb
Gilb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy and educational hike. Most of the route is shaded

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evy2369
evy2369

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice climb up to Larina We couldn't finish the circuit because the fields below were flooded, so we came back down from the Larina plateau via the same path (very slippery) and, in any case, we couldn't find the path to continue the hike.
We'll try again when the weather is dry...

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