La Valla-en-Gier walks

Most of the hike is in the woods, which is very pleasant in summer. From La Valla-en-Gier, a pretty village that has retained its authentic character, take a small road and then a footpath to reach the Ruisseau du Ban stream, nestled at the bottom of a bucolic valley. The path runs alongside this stream for almost 3 km before climbing up to the Bessat plateau. TheGR®®42 trailtakes you to Le Bessat, a tourist village with low, squat houses reminiscent of the nearby Massif Central. The return journey is a descent through the woods.

A beautiful hike starting from the heights of La Valla-En-Gier to discover three dams used for drinking water production. Not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

A figure-of-eight route around the Soulages and Rive dams. It avoids the more technical section on the right bank of the Soulages Dam and offers beautiful views of both dams from above.

Long hike in the Pilat massif. Ideal for beautiful days in May. This hike has two main attractions. It allows you to discover the Cascade du Gier waterfall before entering a completely different world and discovering all the ridges of the Pilat. The advantage is that there are several points where it is possible to shorten this beautiful hike. Please note: the first part through the woods is not well marked and it is easy to take the wrong path.

This is a fairly strenuous hike with beautiful views. If you wish, between (1) and (2), you can take a slightly easier route. The waterfall is worth the detour.

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.

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.

This is an alternative route that allows you to enjoy the Saut du Gier, La Jasserie and Crêt de la Perdrix without covering too many kilometres. A pleasant woodland environment, scree slopes, the Saut du Gier, the Source du Gier at La Jasserie, and Crêt de la Perdrix with its orientation table. Beautiful panoramic views on clear days over the Rhône Valley and the Alps (Mont Blanc). A reasonably challenging route. Departure from La Scie du Bost.

This hike will take you to the north face of the Pilat massif and the Mézenc plateau, with beautiful forest crossings. Enjoy the coolness of the two dams visited and climb a rock to admire the rugged landscape of the Gouffre d'Enfer.

The route takes you through forests of tall trees on the cross-country ski trails of the Bessat resort.

Enjoy the atmosphere of northern Ardèche with this exceptional hike in the heart of Pilat. Pass through the main ridges of Pilat to discover breathtaking views and small steep paths.

An easy walk to enjoy as a family. Very popular in summer, it is worth the detour to admire the panoramic view over the Alps and the summits of Mont Blanc, the Lyonnais mountains and the Giers valley, the Vercors massif and those of northern Vivarais. With a wealth of flowers in spring, you can gather bilberries in August and raspberries in September. Unless you choose to go ski touring or cross-country skiing here in winter.

In the heart of the Pilat mountains, this hike will take you to the highest point of the massif, the Crêt de la Perdrix. The route will guide you to the Saut du Gier, a pretty waterfall not far from the shepherd's hut, where the river has its source. The path will take you through majestic forests where tall trees will shelter you from the sun's rays in summer.

Long snowshoe hike on the Pilat ridges. Can also be done on foot if there is no snow.

A short, varied tour in the Pilat Massif around the Crêt de l'Aireiller, with a 360° view from the Crêt de la Perdrix as the grand finale.

A hike with no major climbs and beautiful views of the Col de l'Oeillon and Saint-Chamond.

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.