Refine your search for walks in La Tour-en-Jarez
La Tour-en-Jarez walks
Plat de l'Orme via Bardonnanche
Visorando Member
2.68 mi
+259 ft
-243 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from La Tour-en-Jarez (Loire)
Starting from La Tour-en-Jarez, this is a gentle walk along quiet roads and paths, ideal for families.
On the heights of La Talaudière and Sorbiers
5.11 mi
+659 ft
-676 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from La Talaudière (Loire)
A lovely, quick walk that is easily accessible from the centre of La Talaudière. Hilly but not difficult. Beautiful views of the Pilat massif and the heights of Sorbiers. Discover the castle and park of Sorbiers at the end of the walk.
Maisonette - the Rivollier via the relay antennae
5.35 mi
+584 ft
-607 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Héand (Loire)
Family-friendly walk in the hills of Saint-Héand among the horses and cows.
Grand Tour of the Val d’Onzon
14.85 mi
+1,896 ft
-1,896 ft
8h 30
Difficult
Departure from Sorbiers (Loire) (Loire)
A lovely route – long but not difficult – which takes you on a complete route of the Val d’Onzon, offering beautiful views of the Pilat massif, the Monts du Forez and the Northern Alps (on a clear day!). A wide variety of idyllic landscapes.
The route mainly follows the higher parts of the terrain.
Le Pilon Fontanés
6.15 mi
+489 ft
-472 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Fontanès (Loire) (Loire)
Walk on the heights of the Col du Pilon, reaching Fontanés via the footpaths and returning via the small roads,
with little elevation gain.
Between the Malval and the Étang Picard via the Bois du Roi
5.78 mi
+650 ft
-623 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from La Fouillouse (Loire)
A very pleasant walk, featuring several paths along the river and through the woods, offering a complete change of scenery. As you will be walking along many paths through the woodland, there are few tarmac roads or sections. This walk is easy as there is little elevation gain relative to the distance.
Saint-Genest-Lerpt circular via Landuzière and Le Chasseur
6.40 mi
+584 ft
-568 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Lerpt (Loire)
A pleasant short hike in the countryside around Saint-Genest-Lerpt.
La Gachetière - White Cross
7.01 mi
+843 ft
-820 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
A walk in the hills with unobstructed views of the Pilat massif on one side and the Monts du Lyonnais on the other. The route follows good paths and small service roads. There are some steep sections, but they are short-lived.
Walk in the south-west of Saint-Étienne
4.97 mi
+463 ft
-456 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This urban route is more of a Sunday stroll than a proper hike. There’s plenty of tarmac, certainly, but on quiet roads. It allows you to explore the countryside on the outskirts of the city and enjoy some lovely views over the Saint-Étienne conurbation.
Around Fontanès, on the west side
5.78 mi
+715 ft
-696 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Fontanès (Loire) (Loire)
Beautiful route along the ridges around the village of Fontanès. Free parking in the castle grounds.
Saint-Étienne Greenway, from Centre Deux to La Terrasse and back
13.67 mi
+1,345 ft
-1,362 ft
2 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Saint-Étienne greenway allows you to cross the city from one end to the other via its western side, then return either entirely through the city centre or via the new ‘greenway’ which bypasses the city to the east (Updated 1 December 2019).
On the outward journey, it consists mostly of paths reserved for pedestrians or cyclists; in places, it also follows some of the city’s streets.
On the return journey via the east, it follows the new greenway and also runs largely through the city.
The Moulin des Gouttes route
5.04 mi
+712 ft
-692 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Fontanès (Loire) (Loire)
A short walk starting from the village of Fontanès, offering a beautiful view at the highest point of the Sept Pins. The passage through the woods is very pleasant.
Around Saint-Bonnet-Les-Oules
3.58 mi
+440 ft
-440 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Bonnet-les-Oules (Loire)
A walk along wide, easy paths through meadows above Saint-Bonnet-les-Oules.
The surroundings of Fontanès, south-east side
6.00 mi
+853 ft
-860 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Fontanès (Loire) (Loire)
A beautiful walk with views of Pilat and Saint-Etienne.
Reviews indicate that a GPS is very useful for following this hike.
Between Fontanès and La Gimond
4.03 mi
+705 ft
-709 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Fontanès (Loire) (Loire)
A nature walk in the Monts du Lyonnais, through pastures and small hamlets.
The Saint-Étienne Greenway
6.06 mi
+502 ft
-735 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Greenway allows you to travel from Bellevue to La Terrasse (or vice versa) via the hills west of Saint-Étienne. The signage is sometimes non-existent, sometimes misleading, and most often inadequate. These are all reasons for proposing this walk with a detailed description. It is possible to split it in two by stopping at Puits Couriot.
The route/description update of 16 August 2020 takes into account the new route from Bellevue.
Saint Étienne - the Gouffre d'Enfer - the dams
10.94 mi
+1,322 ft
-1,306 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
An extraordinary route starting from the town, 95% on paths, surprising and so beautiful. No difficulty. Head towards Rochetaillé via a path, then the Gouffre d'Enfer with its via ferrata and climbing walls, and finally the two dams that supply Saint-Etienne with drinking water. 2½ hours at a leisurely pace with two water stops. Returning via the peak (13) completes a circular route, but I recommend coming back via the path you took at the start of the hike, which is more pleasant and well-marked.
Circular route to the south of Saint-Étienne
8.04 mi
+1,316 ft
-1,316 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This easy route takes you up to higher ground, offering magnificent views of Rochetaillée, Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and all the surrounding plains. Peace and quiet on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne. The scents fill the air and the scenery is magnificent.
The Valfleury Aqueduct
10.95 mi
+1,831 ft
-1,854 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from Valfleury (Loire)
A very varied hike in the Loire, alternating between open landscapes with meadows, valleys, deciduous forests and numerous apple and cherry orchards. The walk also allows you to discover a curious underground aqueduct. In good weather, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine range.
This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons, but it must be magnificent in spring when the fruit trees are in bloom.
Loop between Valfleury and Chavanne
8.82 mi
+1,539 ft
-1,539 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Valfleury (Loire)
This circuit starts in Valfleury, a charming village nestled at the bottom of a valley, and mainly follows ridges offering numerous views towards Saint-Chamond, Saint-Étienne, Pilat and, further afield, Forez and Auvergne. Don't miss a visit to Valfleury church.
Ascent to Guizay from Saint-Étienne
3.19 mi
+771 ft
-771 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This walk, which takes about 1½ hours, starts at the gates of Saint-Étienne and then follows a circular route that includes the remarkable Guizay viewpoint.
Ascent to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam
5.78 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,306 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This walk from Saint-Étienne will take you to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam. It offers several panoramic views, including the Ondaine valley, Saint-Étienne and the Forez plain.
White Cross circular loop from Cellieu
6.77 mi
+1,365 ft
-1,365 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Cellieu (Loire)
A lovely walk in the countryside with stunning views.
Rochetaillé - Dams, Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot
12.05 mi
+1,565 ft
-1,555 ft
6h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Gouffre d'Enfer dam is one of the most famous sites in the Rhône-Alpes region and a popular walk in the Saint-Étienne area. It was built in 1860 in the Furan valley, near Rochetaillé, and completed 17 years later by the Pas du Riot dam. We then continue along the dam trail to the Pont de Souvignet. The return journey takes us via Les Palais, Les Sagnes and La Croix de Givet before joining theGR®42to arrive at Le Plateau and Rochetaillé.
Le Pas du Riot and Gouffre d'Enfer starting from Rochetaillée
9.52 mi
+1,732 ft
-1,729 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A very beautiful, easy circular alternating between forest paths, magnificent landscapes and breathtaking views of the Château de Rochetaillée, the Roche Corbière (117 m high) and the Pas du Riot (1878) and Gouffre d'Enfer (1866) dams, whose surroundings have been converted into a very pleasant relaxation area for the end of this walk.
The viewpoints of Salvaris
6.76 mi
+594 ft
-600 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
An easy, shaded route with few hills, surrounded by pine trees, with beautiful views of the Gier valley, Saint-Chamond, Pilat and the Furan valley, Guizay and Saint-Etienne. Viewpoints and rest areas are provided along the route.
Circular route in the Pilat: Salvaris - Péalussin
4.13 mi
+1,204 ft
-1,234 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
A short hike in the Pilat, offering beautiful views of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and La Valla-en-Gier.
Saint-Christo-en-Jarez - Marcenod - L'Hôpital
7.21 mi
+974 ft
-974 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Christo-en-Jarez (Loire)
A circuit primarily on small paved and sunny roads.
Around Saint-Christo-en-Jarez on the Sabot Bleu circuit
3.16 mi
+325 ft
-302 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Christo-en-Jarez (Loire)
The route passes through different areas in the countryside around Saint-Christo-en-Jarez (wetlands, forest and meadows). Along the way, themed information boards provide details about the local wildlife. On a clear day, two-thirds of the way along the route, you will be treated to a magnificent view of the Alps.
Salvaris and the Sapey woods
4.63 mi
+420 ft
-423 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A pleasant walk for summer days, as it is almost entirely in the shade. A spectacular finale with a unique and magnificent view of the city of Saint-Étienne.
Circular route of Saint-Chamond via the lakes of Soulages, La Rive and Rochetaillée
18.32 mi
+3,442 ft
-3,445 ft
11h 25
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
A long and beautiful circular route that begins in a small valley, at the bottom of which lies a hermitage. After a climb, the view opens up onto the Soulages Dam and La Rive lakes. You follow the latter to climb up to the Sapey woods plateau and reach Rochetaillée. A magnificent village dominated by its 12th-century castle. The path leads to the Auberge de Salvaris, which invites you to take a break and enjoy the beautiful view.
Tour of the Guizay plateau
4.35 mi
+735 ft
-719 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Starting from the Croix du Guizay, this circuit in the Pilat Regional Nature Park offers some of the most beautiful views of Saint-Étienne. The belvedere allows you to take in the city's central street and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire urban area.
Around the woods and the Ondenon dam
4.57 mi
+1,047 ft
-1,047 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Ricamarie (Loire)
This walk starts in the Ondenon valley and climbs twice to 900m, on both sides of the river.
It offers several panoramic views of the Ondaine valley, the city of Saint-Étienne and, in the distance, the Monts du Forez.
Circular route on the edge of the Pilat Regional Nature Park
8.24 mi
+1,604 ft
-1,578 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
This circular route starts at La Pouratte stadium in Chambon-Feugerolles and takes you to the Cotatay dam, which supplies the town with drinking water, before climbing to overlook the Ondaine valley.
Gouffre d'Enfer circular, Pas du Riot and other infrastructure
7.25 mi
+1,414 ft
-1,421 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This hike allows you to discover the infrastructure that supplies the city of Saint-Étienne with drinking water.
The hydraulic structures were built mainly to prevent flooding in the mid-19th century during the Second Empire.
A journey between a Canadian atmosphere, with the expanse of water and fir trees of the Riot dam, and the Great Wall of China with the ascents of the Gouffre d'Enfer dam.
Mostly forest trails.
The Gouffre d'Enfer
5.45 mi
+568 ft
-564 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A walk at the gateway to the Pilat mountains to discover the Lac du Pas du Riot and two dams built under Napoleon III.
This walk is easy, suitable for families and without difficulty. The hardest part is climbing the 52 steps of the dam.
Chevrières–Marcenod circular loop
11.40 mi
+1,831 ft
-1,844 ft
6h 50
Moderate
Departure from Marcenod (Loire)
Route starting from Marcenod, a small rural village of 700 inhabitants at an altitude of around 700 m.
Very lovely views of the Monts du Forez.
Route from the Firminy mine to Roche-la-Molière
7.63 mi
+833 ft
-817 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
A semi-urban route that follows part of the disused railway line connecting the mine shafts of Firminy and Roche-la-Molière. You will pass through two tunnels (bring a torch). Thesecond part takes you up to higher ground and the return journey is via the ridge road connecting Saint-Étienne to Firminy.
Moderator's warning on 15/02/2021: private property issue in (1), see comments at the bottom of the page.