The magical forest of Vallin

de fr

A forest where you feel at peace.
According to legend, the Vallin forest in the commune of Saint-Victor-de-Cessieu was frequented by druids and Templars who came to enjoy its healing properties. Several places in the forest are said to be full of energy, and there is a special energy in this place that confuses compasses.
It is a pretty forest of beech, oak and hazel trees. Part of the forest has been replanted with Douglas firs, cherry trees and red oaks.

Details

n°1398866
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 66 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 66 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 519 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 451 m
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Photos

Stream on the way back
Mare de Vallin
Wooded path at the start of the route
Douglas

Description of the walk

Park near the Étang Rompit lake to the north-west of Torchefelon.

(S/E) Take the Chemin des Douglas, which leads into the forest, and you will soon come to a fork.

(1) Follow signs for La Thébaïade via the upper route, taking the straight path on the left, which is Chemin de la Grande Allée. You will reach a crossroads at this location.

(2) At La Thébaïade, follow the sign for Étang de Vallin on the left.
Stop at the pond where you may be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher.

(3) Take the return route (downhill) to the right of the path you arrived on
The path climbs back up towards La Thébaïade.

(2) Take the Chemin des Combes on the left, which runs along the left bank of the Ruisseau du Moulin on your left.
At the pond with the bridge, stay on the right side of the pond and continue climbing along the stream to return to the first crossroads.

(1) Take the road opposite to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 517 m - Parking near the Étang Rompit lake
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 515 m - Fork in the path
  3. 2 : km 1.25 - alt. 474 m - La Thébaïade
  4. 3 : km 1.8 - alt. 461 m - Crossroads
  5. S/E : km 3.72 - alt. 517 m - Parking near the Étang Rompit lake

Notes

Wide, easy path.
Shaded route, pleasant even in hot weather.
Bring a good pair of trainers and water to drink.

Worth a visit

A 2-metre wide stone seat, possibly dating back to the megalithic era, known as the Lord's Chair. This seat may have been a Druidic altar.
If you find it, mark it on the map!

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 29 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey

Superb walk, shame there's no access to see the castle and the lord's residence, or the private lake, which is very beautiful
Very interesting family hike
Yes, people walking by told us about it. It's quiet, but we didn't feel safe, so we never leave anything in the cars. They keep an eye on them. I just kept my papers in my backpack
Sorry to hear that, I hope you find them

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User 26732165

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike. Done on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
BEWARE, however, on the way back, I found the rear windscreen of my car broken (I had left my handbag in the boot for convenience).
So even in very peaceful places, you're not safe from thieves!!!!
PS: If you happen to find my papers scattered around during your walk, please send them to me!

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les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb walk, shame there's no access to see the castle and the lord's residence, or the private lake, which is very beautiful
Very interesting family hike

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User 17518184

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to enjoy with the family. No difficulty. The setting is pleasant, enjoyable and, above all, relaxing.
Very beautiful forest

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Christian3856
Christian3856

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk with plenty of shade

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François Lepape
François Lepape
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice family outing. The car park was much too small on this sunny autumn day.
The location of the Fauteuil du Seigneur could be added to the description. In UTM coordinates - zone 31T, it is located at <5045.33 - 686.68> ; in angular coordinates, this corresponds to <45.5363, 5.3910>. You can get there by crossing the field, following the marked path so as not to damage the crops...

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Kryss
Kryss

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk to enjoy with the family. No difficulty. The setting is pleasant.

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Mannix 38
Mannix 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike done in grey and windy weather. That explains it.

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Estelle
Estelle

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Luckily there were other people around because I found the directions to get there rather unclear.
We asked for directions several times.
No feeling of being in an enchanted forest
Just a nice, peaceful walk with no difficulties

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courrenq marie-yvonne
courrenq marie-yvonne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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courrenq marie-yvonne
courrenq marie-yvonne

A relaxing family walk
Pretty forest

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Lojoelro
Lojoelro
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant stroll under the trees.
worth seeing

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courrenq marie-yvonne
courrenq marie-yvonne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

spring hike in a beautiful forest. Parish specific to Brittany. Worth repeating

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myrtilles
myrtilles

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's always very pleasant to walk in this forest. There were very few people today. It's a shame that the pond isn't accessible and that we couldn't see the castle or the headquarters.
Thanks for the directions.

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Perrine Jeantet
Perrine Jeantet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A great family outing, very easy, in a beautiful forest.
It was quite crowded on this sunny Sunday, but still very enjoyable!

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