Hostiaz walks

Tour of the Hostiaz plateau and its viewpoints along the ridges and cliffs.

Le parcours, proposé en quasi boucle, permet de réaliser un bon tour sur le plateau d'Hostiaz avec un point de départ en fond de vallée à Tenay. De très jolies prairies (surtout au printemps) et de nombreux points de vue sur la vallée de l'Albarine et de la Cluse des Hôpitaux sont les points forts de la randonnée.

A double circular hike to reach the Hostiaz Plateau from Tenay. The first circular route goes around the Château Narteau cliff, taking steep paths. The second circular route runs along the top of the plateau's cliffs, offering beautiful views of the Albarine valley.

Sommet immanquable de la vallée de l’Albarine, Château Narteau est la belle pyramide rocheuse qui domine Tenay avec ses 746 m. L’accès au sommet rocheux peut se faire depuis le parking de la via ferrata d'Hostiaz mais une belle randonnée consiste à faire le tour de Château Narteau depuis Tenay en montant par le sentier du Cordaret et descendant par le chemin du facteur.

A very short walk to discover the murals in the village of Tenay, which are very recent. At the time of our visit, some of them will only be finished in time for the village festival on 10 September 2022.

A short, easy hike in this little paradise in the Bugey.

A lovely circular path that climbs up to Calvaire de Portes and its orientation table, which offers one of the most extensive panoramic views in the region, from Mont Blanc to the Cévennes.

A short, gentle circular loop around Montagne de Suerme, with some beautiful views. A short stretch of tarmac road but no traffic.

From Argis, a beautiful, easy climb to the Suerme Plateau. Beautiful unobstructed views along almost the entire route, over the Albarine valley and gorges to the north, east and south, and to the west over the Ain plain. Update: see reviews dated 02/06/2025 and 25/02/2026 and the description between (10) and (11)

Setting out to do the "Plateau de Jargoy Village d'Oncieu" hike described by Chassaignon, we got it wrong at the start, which shortened the route. In the end, having arrived ahead of schedule, we looked for where the "correct" start point was... and set off again for another go.

This circular walk takes you deep into the mountainous Bugey region, which is often easy going but can be very rugged in places. The final descent of this walk is very difficult and is only suitable for experienced walkers who are not afraid of heights. It is recommended that you use GPS for the end of the walk, from Arandas.

Steep hike offering superb views of the Jargoy plateau and the village of Oncieu.

A circular route where you’ll probably be all alone in the world, sheltered from the wind in the woods. A lovely view from the Sérémont viewpoint if the weather is on your side. The route isn’t technically difficult, but bear in mind the distance. You can easily shorten or lengthen the walk, as there are plenty of paths.

Circular on the Évosges plateau allowing you to discover three villages, with many sections in the woods and others in the middle of pastures. The pretty path that climbs from Argis takes you under the Roche de Narse.

From Chaley, I suggest a beautiful route overlooking the Albarine Valley: the ascent is via the Combe Suzaire, then the route joins the Rocher du Grand Sangle plateau, where there are some beautiful views. The return leg goes through a combe towards the hamlet of La Charabotte, then continues pleasantly near the Albarine River. There are two difficult sections:- after the point (3), the path is a little chaotic, - between points (7) and (10), the route is not always obvious and there are a few sudden drops to the edge of cliffs. Visorando app recommended

Starting from Chaley, in the Albarine valley, climb to the top of the Rocher du Grand Sangle, which offers a beautiful view of the gorges. There is a longer but more difficult loop that I have unpublished , which can be seen here, with the latest review

A pretty little circular loop starting from Étang Buinand and leading to the cliff edges of the Évosges plateau, where you can enjoy superb views of the Albarine valley and the circular village of Oncieu.

A hike of mainly historical interest: the route is dotted with information panels about the life and fate of resistance fighters from the Ain maquis who were hiding around Évosges No viewpoints, paths mainly in the forest, with some sections on roads.

This is a shorter alternative to the Belvédère de Sérémont snowshoe walk, which starts from Thézillieu and often follows thePR® trail marked in yellow and red, though not always. The walk is easy and pleasant in hot weather. It starts at La Bourbellière after Thézillieu; there is little tarmac, and it follows forest tracks and paths that are often shaded. The panoramic view from the belvedere is well worth a visit.

Here is a short route in the Bugey with a ridge route, which can be done out of season (autumn-winter, for example), if necessary in half a day.

This hike takes you on a loop through the heart of the Bugey region around Hauteville-Lompnes, on the edge of the plateau overlooking the Gorges de l'Albarine, with relatively little elevation gain.

Circular hike starting from the small village of Évosges. Easy hike on a well-maintained path between forests and pastures, with just one slightly steep descent coming down from the plateau (3). A few viewpoints.

Perfect for hot days as it is very shady under beautiful high-altitude coniferous and deciduous forests (between 625 and 920 metres above sea level), on trails and good forest paths through the beautiful landscapes of the Bugey, offering a wide panorama of the cliff. In autumn, you can pick blackberries, hazelnuts and walnuts along the way.

This is a short, easy hike, suitable for families, starting from a pleasant little village in the lower Bugey region. On a clear day, the heights of Crêt offer beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the Burbanche valley. At the end of the walk, you can enhance your hike by visiting the small village church (12th century) and admiring its Sully lime tree (planted in 1601).

This hike, starting from Ordonnaz, will take you on a journey of discovery through beautiful natural surroundings and caves. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful views of the villages of Marchamp and Cerin. You will pass through the village of Lompnas, then the Gros Pertuis stream. You will enjoy the potholes and the magnificent Brive waterfall. Finally, you will pass by the remains of the past, old mills, and end up at the Morgne chasm.

A short, easy hike starting from a pleasant little village in the lower Bugey region. Le Molard de Don is the highest point in this region of Bugey, at an altitude of 1,218 metres. This walk offers beautiful views of the Burbanche valley, the Rhône valley and the Ain plain. The return journey takes you through a picturesque little valley where the Brune stream meanders.

This hike requires a good level of stamina and starts from a pleasant little village in the lower Bugey region. After walking along the Ruisseau de la Gouille stream, you can admire the Luizet No. 1 waterfall and then, through the Bois d'Arella forest, you will reach a plateau dotted with daffodils in spring. These heights offer beautiful views of the villages of Onglas, Bénonces and Serrières de Briord. The main waterfall of Luizet and the Gouffre de la Morgne will enhance the rest of your hike.

This is a large circular that allows you to discover the different environments of the Bugiste region. Part of it is dedicated to the Lésines lake and the Marais de Vaux marsh, which can be crossed thanks to the facilities provided. The main part runs along the ridges above Cormaranche, with the climb to Golet Marmier and Planachat, the crossing from Col de la Clye to Col de la Rochette via Gigimont, then the climb to Haiea d'Amont and Cornillon. The descent passes through Notre-Dame de Mazières and Trou de la Marmite.

A short walk around the Marais de Vaux lake and its wetlands with the opportunity to admire the Charabotte waterfall.

A very pretty, shaded route that follows the valley carved out by the Ruisseau du Buinand stream, then goes around the summit of La Cathédrale via Résinand to La Croix d'Évosges, with a magnificent view of the circular village of Oncieu. Descent to Oncieu via the Facteur route.

Cleyzieu is a charming village in the Bugey region. This easy hike offers several viewpoints. It passes through both woodland and open areas.

A double circular loop on trails with very different atmospheres. On the heights of Nantuy, beautiful paths through the woods, a short challenging section to reach the top of the Charabotte waterfall and its viewpoint, then a pleasant and relaxing section to discover the Marais de Vaux Nature Reserve with its footbridges.

An easy walk forming part of a route of around 30 km linking 4 medieval castles (the 4 Castles Route).

This hike takes place mainly in the forest in the hinterland of Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey and on the heights of Mont Charvet.

This trail allows you to discover the three rivers: the Tréfond, the Arodin and the Perna(z), the biodiversity of the site, and its geological and heritage riches, explained by six information panels.

A circular route around the small village of Soudon, best done on a sunny day as the route is almost entirely through woodland. A pleasant hike in warm weather but best avoided in the rain as some steep sections will be difficult to negotiate.

Four viewpoints, of course, are located at the top of the mountains. Expect some steep climbs and significant elevation changes. Be careful, as you will be following mountain bike trails in the opposite direction on part of the route. The viewpoints are at the end: Planachat, Cornillon, l'Haïea d'Amont, and the highlight of the route, the orientation table at the top of the Hauteville Lompnès ski slopes. There, in good weather and with low UV levels, a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc massif awaits you.

This hike is based on the 4 belvederes walk. The route has been modified to take into account the opinions of hikers who have given their feedback. In particular, the trail is more precise and the parts considered less interesting have been removed. We are delighted with this new version, which is particularly suitable for hot days (tested during the heatwave of August 2025).The route is mostly through woods and on unpaved paths or tracks. It offers splendid panoramic views from various viewpoints as well as iconic sites: Trou de la Marmite, Notre-Dame de Mazières Chapel, etc. On a clear day, you will have the pleasure of admiring Mont Blanc.

This hike follows little-used paths and avoids other routes as much as possible. You will leave many paths behind. The idea is to make you want to return to discover the many possible variations and to create your own route. In the final section, the Sérémond viewpoint offers a magnificent panorama of the Rhône. Finally, the Clairefontaine Waterfall provides a moment of relaxation and refreshment.

A walk to discover the highest point of Hauteville-Lompnes and its panoramic views.

This is a fairly long hike, which starts off easily along the Arène but quickly becomes more challenging when you leave the D53 to reach the Sérémond viewpoint. The beautiful view at the top is well worth the climb. The second part is easy and descends back to the village, partly following the same path used on the way up.

This circular at the edge of the Bugey is accessible in all seasons, including in the snow, given its low altitude. It offers several viewpoints over the Rhône Valley and the "Vallée Bleue", the peaks of the Bugey, Chartreuse, Vercors, Belledonne and Bauges further away...

A beautiful hike, fairly well marked in blue with directional signs (sometimes a little faded), between 630 and 900 metres above sea level, easy, mostly on good, well-shaded paths. On very clear days, there are views of the snow-capped Alps and the villages of Marchand and Cerin. For flower lovers, between May and July, there are martagon lilies, orchids, snowdrops and erythronium. And for those who like the cool air, they can go to the Grotte de la Jaquette cave near the path.

A short, quick and very pleasant walk between two passes and along a ridge (Gigimont).