From Lac du Ronzey to Crêt du Py Froid, via the Garon Dam

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.

Details

498629
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 530 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 533 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 784 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 509 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts in Yzeron, in the car park next to Lac de Ronzey.

The hike follows short hiking trails marked in yellow. Signposts at major junctions should help you if you are unsure.

(S/E) Walk along the southern side of the lake. At the end of the lake, follow the path straight ahead up to the road. Follow it to the left and walk past the cemetery.

(1) At the end of the cemetery, turn right, then continue straight ahead at the crossroads and walk past the campsite. Follow the road to an intersection with a cross. Turn left to descend towards the village centre.

(2) Cross the D25 and take the small path that descends opposite towards the waterfall. Once on the road, turn right until the first intersection, then turn left and follow the road. When the road turns right, continue straight ahead on the road that leads to a house on the right, then turns into a path to reach the small waterfall.

(3) Follow the path and, at the fork shortly afterwards, continue to the right.

(4) At the crossroads, take the path downhill on the right. Cross the Yzeron and join a road. Follow it to the left.

(5) Turn onto the first road on the right to reach the hamlet of Le Giraud. Continue along the road, which curves to the right.

(6) Take the path on the left and follow the yellow signs towards the dolmen and Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux.

(7) At the intersection, turn right and follow the yellow signs to the dolmen.

(8) Continue along the yellow-marked trail to Châteauvieux. Continue along the small road to the chapel.

(9). Turn left, continue straight ahead at the crossroads, then leave the road that turns east and follow the path on the right. At the intersection, continue straight ahead, following the yellow signs to reach Crêt de Py Froid.

(10) Do not take the path that branches off to the right, but follow the path that runs along the ridge to a crossroads. Take the path on the left that winds down through the woods.

(11) The route temporarily leaves the yellow markings. Descend to the right towards the road and cross it to continue opposite on a tarmac road. At the fork, turn left and then immediately left again onto a path that winds downhill. A wooden sign indicates the direction of the dam.

(12) Once on the road, follow it to the left and rejoin the yellow markings. About 100 metres further on, take the path on the right which descends alongside the road you have just taken, then turns south. You will arrive at the lake.

(13) Go around the lake on the right, pass the dam, then turn right and continue to follow the yellow markings to reach a road.

(14) Follow the road to the right, then, at the bend, leave it and take a path on the left towards Biternay.

(15) In Biternay, cross the D628 and continue straight ahead, following the signs for Le Garon.

(16) When you reach the hamlet of Le Garon, take the road on the right until you reach a three-way junction. Continue on the left to return to the Yzeron cemetery.

(1) Turn left to return to Lac du Ronzey. This time, go around it on the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 718 m - Lac de Ronzey - Yzeron (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.86 - alt. 720 m - On the right
  3. 2 : km 1.43 - alt. 710 m - Path opposite
  4. 3 : km 2.14 - alt. 610 m - Waterfall
  5. 4 : km 3.18 - alt. 554 m - Path on the right
  6. 5 : km 4.05 - alt. 515 m - Road on the right
  7. 6 : km 4.59 - alt. 527 m - Path on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.99 - alt. 526 m - On the right
  9. 8 : km 6.33 - alt. 580 m - Dolmen (Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux)
  10. 9 : km 7.32 - alt. 676 m - On the left - Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Châteauvieux)
  11. 10 : km 8.39 - alt. 773 m - Straight ahead - Crêt du Py Froid (772m)
  12. 11 : km 9.69 - alt. 701 m - Leave the yellow markings on the right
  13. 12 : km 10.28 - alt. 642 m - Find the yellow markings on the left
  14. 13 : km 10.94 - alt. 518 m - Lake, on the right - Garon (rivère)
  15. 14 : km 11.85 - alt. 554 m - Road on the right
  16. 15 : km 12.96 - alt. 662 m - D628, opposite
  17. 16 : km 14.1 - alt. 644 m - Take the road on the right after crossing the - Garon (rivère)
  18. S/E : km 16.15 - alt. 718 m - Lac de Ronzey

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 5176590

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route with a variety of views. No difficulty; the route alternates between forest paths and local roads.

Machine-translated

starstella
starstella

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with many points of interest: Lake Ronzey, a magnificent waterfall, dolmens, the Garon dam... The landscapes are superb.

Machine-translated

Jeanclano
Jeanclano

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, with superb views on the first part of the route, slightly muddy paths at the dam, but it is 4 December.

Machine-translated

BarbaraLyon
BarbaraLyon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, especially as the sun was shining! Varied paths and trails without any particular difficulties, alternating ascents and descents, interesting sights to see... (waterfall, dolmen, chapel, dam, panoramic views, etc.). Lunch at Crêt du Py Froid with a superb view of the mountains.
Points (11) and (12): we didn't identify "the path that winds downhill"! We only saw a slightly steep slope overgrown with brambles... so we continued on the path (which branches off to the left) and which leads to the lake (wet path, fallen tree but no difficulty in continuing)
Top 👍

Machine-translated

Sanpra
Sanpra

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike alternating between woodland and more open areas.
A beautiful viewpoint and the opportunity to take a pleasant break in front of the stretch of water at the dam.

Machine-translated

ANNE2669
ANNE2669

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied hike that unfortunately ended in torrential rain.
During the descent to the Garon dam, the path was somewhat overgrown with tall nettles and other vegetation.
To be repeated in good weather.

Machine-translated

Chaden
Chaden

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on Saturday 24 February, so not many people around. On Sundays, there are lots of hikers and mountain bikers around Yzeron.
A pleasant hike in the woods with two lovely picnic spots: the Py Froid rocks and the Garon dam. The hike can be completed at a leisurely pace in 4½ hours without breaks.
Thanks to the author for this hike!

Machine-translated

Monsieur Chupon
Monsieur Chupon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed today in the opposite direction. Very beautiful route offering varied views and environments. The lunch break at Py-Froid in the sunshine was extremely pleasant.
To be done again!

Machine-translated

jd693854
jd693854

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed under the November 2023 sun, during the week. It features two interesting picnic spots located at point 10 (climbing site) and point 13 (dam). We recommend choosing point 13, which is equipped with tables and benches so you can enjoy the location. To arrive there around 12:30 p.m., we left from the hikers' car park in Yzeron. Please note: in good weather, at weekends, the dam site can be very busy.
And there's nothing to stop you from taking a detour to Lake Ronzey on your way back from the hike to enjoy the scenery.
I highly recommend this hike.

Machine-translated

Selligus
Selligus

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Very beautiful, varied paths, alternating descents and ascents. The overcast weather prevented us from fully enjoying the views.
I recommend stopping for a snack at the dam, where there are plenty of benches and tables. From this point, there is still a significant elevation gain to consider on the way back to the car park.

Machine-translated

zette
zette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. Very pleasant route with beautiful views.
Very few people on the trail during the week.
Definitely worth doing again.

Machine-translated

Myl009 _66
Myl009 _66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike and the scenery is splendid.

It would be good to add options for the level of difficulty, as this hike, advertised as medium difficulty, was actually medium ++

Machine-translated

fmontagu
fmontagu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The tree trunks that were reported in October 2020 still block the path for about twenty metres. It is possible to go around them or climb over them if you are reasonably flexible.
You need to pay attention at point 12 to find the path that leads down to the dam.
As for the tour of the dam, we must have been tired or not paying enough attention because we missed the path...
There were lots of people at the ridge and on the way back to Yzeron, but the rest of the route was fine

Machine-translated

gerardleo
gerardleo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting route alternating between descents and ascents, often under trees, with a passage under climbing rocks made tricky by uprooted trees. The downside is the number of people using the route, so avoid weekends and holidays if possible.

Machine-translated

Patlemarin
Patlemarin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very busy indeed, as is normal on Sundays!
Please note:
in the description, at point 10, "take the path on the left that descends..." : shortly after the first "hairpin bend" to the left on this path, foresters have left the tops of beech trees and other trees. The result: it's war! You have to go around them via a path above these branches (which are sometimes very large). Continue at the same altitude, roughly the same contour line, and you will eventually find the path and the yellow markings that lead to the dam.

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.