The Plantay Tower

A hike that combines nature and heritage, with beautiful panoramic views, ponds and the Plantay Tower.

Details

3292354
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 284 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 277 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Randonneurs car park

(S/E) Head towards Villars-les-Dombes, then turn left towards Grimaudy - Les Crêtes. On the right, at the edge of the Étang du Grand Châtel, you can see the Tour du Plantay, the only remaining part of a castle. At the next junction, turn right and continue first on the road, then on a dirt track.

(1) Once you have left the grove, at the Le Jonc signpost, continue right on the path.

(2) Walk along the Étang Grand Béron, visible on the right from the route.

(3) At the Les Échaillays signpost, turn left towards Le Perret and continue along the dirt track.

(4) At the Bois de Charnay signpost, turn left onto the tarmac road towards Le Perret.
After Les Étrets, leave the road and continue straight ahead on the dirt track.

(5) At the Perret signpost, at the end of the road, take the road on the left towards Petit Étang Chabodière and continue for about 1 km.

(6) In the bend, keep right towards the village. When you reach the village, turn left until you reach the church.

(7) At the Le Plantay signpost, turn left towards La Tour to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 277 m - Hikers' car park. Towards the - Étang du Grand Châtel
  2. 1 : km 1.23 - alt. 280 m - Turn right at the fork
  3. 2 : km 1.81 - alt. 279 m - Étang Grand Béron
  4. 3 : km 2.57 - alt. 281 m - Les Échaillays signpost
  5. 4 : km 3.46 - alt. 280 m - Bois de Charnay signpost
  6. 5 : km 4.35 - alt. 279 m - Perret post - Renon (rivière) - Affluent de la Veyle
  7. 6 : km 5.71 - alt. 279 m - Turn right at the fork
  8. 7 : km 6.37 - alt. 280 m - Le Plantay signpost
  9. S/E : km 6.48 - alt. 277 m - Hikers' car park

Notes

65% tarmac
Easy hike that does not require any special equipment.
There is a small shelter at the start of the route.
Don't forget your binoculars!

Worth a visit

The route passes by the Tour du Plantay. These are the remains of a castle that was razed during the many conflicts of the past. This private castle is not open to visitors.
In the village of Plantay, you will find the restaurant Au Coeur de la Dombes, which also serves as a small grocery store.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
Arnor.
Arnor.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little route for stretching your legs without any difficulty.
A word of advice: the last part of the route, between points 6 and 7, is not particularly interesting. Instead, I recommend turning left at point 6 to return to the tower you saw at the start of the route.

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Marrom
Marrom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route, no difficulty, a peaceful and pleasant walk for less experienced walkers.

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User 3881503

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Some sections were very wet and muddy.

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Marrom
Marrom

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Some interceptions are missing information.

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Blanco Dominique
Blanco Dominique

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Too much driving for my liking.

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Flo42@
Flo42@

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A bit disappointed by the lack of scenery, but it was night-time, so perhaps we didn't see everything.

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Michel RODA
Michel RODA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Perfect for a family outing or fitness walk. Access to the ponds remains limited.

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Danielle Andre
Danielle Andre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, very easy walk for everyone, with beautiful views of the ponds.

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Blancpoussin
Blancpoussin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant route.

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DanBoux
DanBoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked route, consistent with the description. A pleasant, easy walk with views of the ponds frequented by numerous birds.

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Richard D288
Richard D288

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A short, easy walk, ideal for young children.

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patrice Kaminski
patrice Kaminski

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and peaceful walk. No difficulties.

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hf69
hf69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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Lau0107
Lau0107

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk with children aged 3 and 7.
Perfect for their little legs!

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CRICRI.VD
CRICRI.VD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, ideal for getting back into shape or for people who walk little and have difficulties.

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