La Grande Barollière

Short circular or long circular above Saint-Chamond. A pleasant walk or bike ride for the whole family.
This path is quite busy, especially on Sunday mornings when the weather is good. Be careful if there is snow, as there may be snowdrifts near the Col de Trente Sous.

Details

1844678
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 279 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 279 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 763 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 484 m

Photos

Description of the walk

After the Barollière holiday centre on the left coming from the town of Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, park either near the glass recycling bin or along the road leading to the hamlet of Bayolle-le-Haut.

(S/E) Take the dirt track that climbs up next to the house, heading due east. On the right, you can see the hamlet of Bayolle-le-Haut below. The path zigzags and becomes rocky in places. It climbs slightly to the Col de Trente Sous.

(1) There is a bench at the pass. The view stretches as far as the Col de L'Oeillon. A path on the left leads back to Saint-Paul-en-Jarez. Take the path on the right, heading due south, and follow it to the next intersection.

(2) At this intersection, you will find theGRP® Tour du Parc sign. The path on the left leads to La Terrasse en Dorlay, opposite towards Chavanol and on the right towards the hamlet of Bayolle le Haut (return path). Take the path opposite towards Chavanol. The path widens and climbs slightly. At the next fork, turn right. When you leave the woods, you will see a field on your right. Continue to the next intersection.

(3) At this intersection, leave theGRP® and turn left towards the north-east. Continuing straight ahead will take you towards Chavanol. On the left, the path climbs slightly between the trees to a spot on the right where the trees have been cut down. Stay on the left-hand path. Cross a path junction.

(4) At the next intersection, take the path on the left. It passes through a forest of tall thorny trees and joins the wide GRP® path. Continue to the right towards the fork in the path you took on the way there.

(2) Take the path on the left which descends towards the hamlet of Bayolle-le-haut.

(5) You will reach a farm after a sharp right-hand bend. From there, follow the road through the hamlet to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 484 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.85 - alt. 642 m - Bench - Col de Trente Sous (642m)
  3. 2 : km 2.7 - alt. 647 m - GRP Tour du Parc sign
  4. 3 : km 4.13 - alt. 753 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.92 - alt. 709 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 7.09 - alt. 559 m - Farm on the right
  7. S/E : km 8.72 - alt. 484 m - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
asilelisa._
asilelisa._

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy route with no particular technical difficulties, I was alone for the entire hike, occasionally passing a few mountain bikers.
I did the walk with my dog and enjoyed the lovely views of the hills and the town below.
Rocky passages, sunny paths and forest trails.

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marcheurs42
marcheurs42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb at the start of the hike is rocky and without any flat sections, so it's quite difficult.

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gdeville
gdeville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll on a warm summer's day. Thank you again...

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hilly and colourful route with numerous cherry trees in bloom, orchards, farms in hamlets, typical Pilat stone houses and a beautiful forest.
Beautiful view of the town of Saint-Chamond.
Thanks to the author for this peaceful route, pleasantly punctuated by birdsong.

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fiat60
fiat60

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Good climb at the start, then it gets easier.
The bench is a welcome place to rest and admire the scenery.

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mapisab
mapisab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful 3-hour walk offering a good climb and a beautiful view of the Gier Valley, followed by a parish-specific to Brittany route through the woods, which is ideal in hot weather.

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bidule42
bidule42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful landscapes

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Philippe-aleks
Philippe-aleks

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We hiked this route, which was described as easy... especially with a second climb that goes up "a little"... so I don't know what "a little" means in this region, but I would describe this climb as: it goes up, but not just "a little".
My physical condition doesn't allow me to do anything other than easy routes, which is why I rely on these descriptions, but the second part of this one was definitely not as 'a little' as the description suggests!
But once we reached the top, we were amazed by the view, which was definitely worth the effort...
The bench at the top of the first climb is very welcome, and here too the view is superb... especially as we were spoiled by the sublime weather...
A beautiful hike, but not so easy for people who are not in good physical condition...

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MARTIN 42
MARTIN 42
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike and a great app.
Thank you very much.

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pube@neuf.fr
pube@neuf.fr
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short, very easy hike with a slight elevation gain. Superb scenery!

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