Between the Rhône and Isère: Les Hauts de Luzinay

Parking in front of the Luzinay community centre. 45.588911 / 4.950071.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, climb up opposite via Chemin le Calliolat, which joins Route de la Garenne.

(1) Follow it to the left for about 50 metres and turn right onto Route de Villeneuve. Continue until you reach a fork.

(2) Take Chemin des Vignes on the left to leave the road. Turn right to climb towards the hamlet of Le Réservoir (yellow signposts). There is a 30-metre stretch that is often wet and slippery before you reach the hamlet. Continue to the 5-way roundabout. I recommend going around the roundabout on the right for maximum visibility.

(3) Take Route de Chaponnay opposite for 150 metres and turn left onto the small path towards the hamlet of Revou Bayard, at the yellow signs and markings for an underground pipeline.

(4) After the GAEC du Mas d'Illins, take the wide road on the right for 200 metres and turn left towards a wood.

(5) Turn left and continue along the wide path, following the Bois des Fauries on your right. You will come to an intersection.

(6) Turn right, then left twice. The path is quite muddy for about 50 metres. Continue to the junction with Route de Marennes.

(7) Cross carefully: be aware that cars can travel quite fast. Continue straight ahead and join Chemin de la Faita, which you should follow for about 200 metres.

(8) Turn left onto Chemin de la Bonnetière: this is actually a small tarmac road (there is a sign with the name of the road). Pass under a power line. Continue for 400 metres until you reach the start of a path.

(9) Descend to the right into the valley via Chemin de la Combe des Clavières. At the start of the descent, there is a slippery section after rain. Continue to Chemin des Vignes.

(10) Continue downhill to the right along Chemin de la Bonnetière until you reach a crossroads near a silo.

(11) Turn left twice and follow Chemin du Colombier, which joins Route de Marennes. Turn right and continue for about 100 metres.

(12) Cross this road carefully before the Maison Colombier distillery and continue along Chemin du Mollaret, towards the hamlet of Les Brigands (signposted). Continue straight ahead without taking Chemin de la Combe de Servanay on the left after a small bridge. Pass in front of Château d'Illins (in fact, the "real" castle was destroyed in the 17th century; it is private property and not open to visitors) to reach Route de la Forêt.

(13) Turn right towards the Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Illins (12th and 13th centuries), which is occasionally open. There is a water point and toilets in the small square.

(14) Cross the Route d'Illins to take the path opposite (it is a few metres to the left). Join the Route de Vienne (D36).

(15) Follow Chemin Boisson, which avoids walking on the side of the D36. Continue along Rue des Allobroges and arrive at the car park in front of the Luzinay community centre (S/E).

This hike is very pleasant as it offers beautiful views and numerous passages through the woods. There are many yellow and other markers, depending on sporting events. The route is easy to follow. Medium difficulty due to two fairly steep climbs. Duration: approximately 3 hours.

Dairy products are available for purchase at GAEC du MAS D'ILLINS (4) and local products are available in Villette at La Maison Colombier. (12)

Illins Chapel (12th and 13th centuries). (14) Open occasionally. Water point and toilets in the small square.

PLEASE NOTE: To reach the end point, do not take the D36! Make sure you pass through the point (15) and follow Chemin Boisson.

(S/E) At the end of the hike, refreshments are available in the centre of Luzinay, about 200 metres away.

Enjoy the views of the mountains before point (4) and of the Lyon metropolitan area around points (5) and (8). The Chapelle d'Illins (12) is charming.