From Rontalon to the Signal de Saint-André-la-Côte

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in ideal weather, varied, more or less open with beautiful views of Lyon and the Alps, and pleasant passages through the woods. We extended the hike a little by going around Le Châtel towards St André la Côte between 5 and 6.
18.2 km and approximately 600 m of elevation gain.
Thank you for this beautiful route

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Date of walk : Feb 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The distance recorded by our GPS (Garmin) is 17.5 km and the elevation gain is over 650 m
The view from the platform overlooking the Mornant countryside at the top of Le Signal (where there is an orientation table) is remarkable: it opens up widely onto the Pilat Massif, the Monts du Lyonnais and, on the horizon, the entire chain of the Alps from north to south, with Mont Blanc in all its majesty. Of course, it's better when the weather is clear. Nevertheless, depending on the season, the landscape offers an infinite variety of shades: the soft green of spring, the dazzling white of the snow-covered countryside, the cottony white of a sea of clouds from which the Alps rise on the horizon, and in autumn the warm colours of the forest. In a word: pure bliss!
Note the "Land Art Trail" which begins a few steps after climbing the old railway line (points 11 to 12). The forest section gives pride of place to works of art made from natural materials. There are friendly hairy monsters and a fantastic dragon on whose back you can run and throw yourself into its wide-open mouth. A treat for children's imaginations.
But there are also contemporary works whose symbolism always evokes nature and its vital force.
This beautiful hike ends on a high note with a botanical trail, which is unfortunately closed during the winter season but seems well maintained, judging by the small information panels that line it

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A beautiful route that was unanimously appreciated by the groups of hikers (up to 25 people) that I have taken there on several occasions.
Of particular note are the artistic and highly original works of art along the "land art" route that follows the old railway line.
Thank you to those who mapped out this route.
DG

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Date of walk : Jan 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

a very beautiful route, enjoyed under magnificent skies. Views across the entire valley at the St Andés sign and views of the Alps on the descent.

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Date of walk : Oct 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Two noteworthy points of interest are the "landArt" route in the Croit Forest and the Rontalon botanical trail. The group I accompanied on this route really enjoyed the hike.

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Date of walk : Apr 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We really enjoyed this hike, with its pretty trails through the woods and few roads. All the elevation gain is up to point 7. Along the old railway line, there are some sculptures made of wood and other materials to admire. There are tables at the St André sign for picnics. No view of the Alps as it was too foggy that day. The botanical trail is very interesting. Worth doing again. Thanks to the author

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Date of walk : Feb 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

beautiful hike with a lovely view at the signal. The weather was fine but cool, with heavy mist

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Date of walk : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

I usually walk around this area starting from Thurins or Soucieu, which makes the walks considerably longer.

The hike is not difficult, you just need to enjoy climbing. The view from Le Signal is obviously magnificent on a clear day.

My favourite parts are the sections along the botanical trail and through the orchards. Best done in summer or autumn to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes.

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Date of walk : May 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely walk with no real difficulty.

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Date of walk : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a varied route, stunning panoramic views and lovely paths through the woods.
The view was a bit obscured by clouds at the St André signal, but it was still superb

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Date of walk : Nov 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful, fairly sunny autumn hike, with sufficient altitude to rise above the mist and clouds.

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Date of walk : Nov 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful autumn hike. On the route, which corresponds to a PR (Departmental) trail, there is a sign at point 4 suggesting that you follow the sign for "Bois des Rivoires". You can follow this good path, which takes you slightly away from the route described, offering a gentler climb to the "Saint Genoux" point and continuing opposite along a stretch of road, then a path towards the St André sign, where you rejoin point 5 on the map. This adds 1.5 km, which may be worthwhile to make the slope less steep.(And it doesn't increase the estimated duration, and even saves us time)
The views of the Monts du Lyonnais and the Rhône plain are lovely on this hike

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Date of walk : Jun 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The route was partly in the rain but still enjoyable.
A slight hesitation between points 4 and 5, where we veered a little too far to the right, but we finally found the path higher up.
Due to the weather conditions, we cut across the flaches to pick up the trail again towards the heights of Montfroide.

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Date of walk : Jun 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike.
Thanks to the author for this work.

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Manuel Fonseca and domino1531, I have taken note of your comment regarding crossing the Ferme des Flaches.
As it is no longer possible to cross the farm, I have changed the route to avoid using the D113 for 600 metres.
Before Les Flaches, the route continues on the GR7, which we leave at the Le Bernard-Ouest marker, where we turn right onto the path that leads us to Fontfroide.

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