Lake Vouglans - Surchauffant cliffs

Discover the splendour of France's third largest reservoir with its turquoise blue waters. In this magnificent setting, walk between forests and steep cliffs with superb views of the lake.

Details

2077388
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.72 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,027 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,027 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,880 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,414 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Surchauffant campsite.

(S/E) (S/E) With your back to the campsite and facing the woods, turn right and follow the road, keeping the woods on your left. Go through the gate and continue to the end of the road running alongside the campsite.

(1) At the end of the campsite, take the path on the left, marked in yellow and red, which climbs up through boxwood trees burnt by the box tree moth. Continue to the "Entreporte" crossroads.

(2) Turn right, about 500 metres further on, and follow the cliff with a superb view from a viewpoint. Continue along the path that descends to the lake.

(3) Climb up from the lake shore, taking the path on the right, which quickly becomes a track. Pass the waterfall and continue climbing until you reach a crossroads.

(4) At the crossroads, Les Pertis, ignore the sign for Largillay on your right and continue left. Follow Chemin du Pertuis to the village of Saint-Christophe (yellow signposts), passing a wash house.

(5) At the junction with Route de Saint-Christophe, climb up to the 12th-century church, then descend Rue du Meix to rejoin Route de Saint-Christophe.

(5) Back at the junction with Rue du Pertuis, continue along Route de Saint-Christophe until you reach a fire hydrant.

(6) At this junction, do not continue on Route de Saint-Christophe but turn left for 80 metres, then turn right onto a forest path towards Château de la Tour de Meix. At the three-way junction, turn right and after a few metres, take the grassy path on the left. Pass under a power line and you will reach a crossroads.

(7) After a short climb on the right, make a round trip to the castle ruins and the viewpoint.

(7) On your way back, turn right onto a well-marked path that starts with steps and leads to the village of La Tour de Meix.

(8) At the Tour de Meix roundabout, turn left onto Rue du Jeu de Quille and continue to the D470. Follow this road carefully to the left and after 100 m turn onto the D60 towards Onoz. After 300 m, at the three-way junction, turn left towards the Château-Richard viewpoint.

(9) After about 300 metres, take the signposted path into the woods on the right. After a good kilometre, rejoin the road and continue along it until you reach the viewpoint.

(10) Continue along this path, which descends and runs alongside the lake until you reach the Pont de la Pile bridge.

(11) Cross the D470 with caution and follow the path parallel to it until you reach the campsite (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,476 ft - Surchauffant campsite - Lac de Vouglans
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 1,490 ft - Fork in the road after the campsite
  3. 2 : mi 0.86 - alt. 1,716 ft - Crossroads, on the right
  4. 3 : mi 2.62 - alt. 1,434 ft - Beach
  5. 4 : mi 3.49 - alt. 1,778 ft - Les Pertis. On the left
  6. 5 : mi 3.96 - alt. 1,847 ft - Saint-Christophe
  7. 6 : mi 4.21 - alt. 1,824 ft - At the crossroads, turn left then right.
  8. 7 : mi 4.85 - alt. 1,699 ft - On the right, head towards the castle ruins and the viewpoint.
  9. 8 : mi 5.12 - alt. 1,578 ft - The Tour de Meix
  10. 9 : mi 5.74 - alt. 1,549 ft - Path on the right in the woods
  11. 10 : mi 6.78 - alt. 1,686 ft - Belvedere
  12. 11 : mi 8.18 - alt. 1,467 ft - Pont de la Pyle
  13. S/E : mi 8.72 - alt. 1,476 ft - Surchauffant campsite - Lac de Vouglans

Notes

In the village of Saint-Christophe: toilets and water point.

Worth a visit

The village of Saint-Christophe is worth a stop, particularly for its former priory.
The ruins of the Château de la Tour de Meix (eight centuries of history as a castle, fortress and then princely residence).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 64 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Dominib
Dominib

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, fairly easy walk with beautiful views from the cliffs. In the village of Saint-Christophe, there are public toilets at the church and picnic tables in the shade.
A lovely climb, and a narrow path leading up to the castle ruins.

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User 17826884

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very enjoyable walks. Some lovely viewpoints, best enjoyed when there are fewer leaves on the trees. One slight drawback: the points of interest were slightly off the map markings, and we didn’t see St Christophe, which was marked on the map.

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Laun07
Laun07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views of the lake. If you’re doing it in summer, don’t forget your swimming costume.

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User 11952231

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woodland with a few direct access points for a dip in the river and beautiful views of the Ain throughout the route.

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User 17351714

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely circular walk, with views that I think are well worth taking in all along the route.

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M Grisel
M Grisel

An easy walk through woodland overlooking Lake Vouglans, best enjoyed in the cool of the day on hot days; the Church of Saint Christo was closed, but the roof is very beautiful and the ruined castle is quite striking.

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Martine B4.
Martine B4.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike offering beautiful views of the lake along the entire route and a waterfall cascading down the cliffs
Varied landscape
It's a shame that the chapel isn't open
Passes by the ruins of a castle and the small village of La Tour du Meix
The forest is covered in moss, which gives it a certain charm
No difficulty

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User 25994507

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

beautiful, very pleasant walk

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User 17103722

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful place. The last part overlooking the emerald-coloured lake was sensational.

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User 3357964

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Pleasant hike in the woods along the lake, a little disappointed by Saint Christopher
We then enjoyed the beach
No difficulties

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gigidu07
gigidu07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with plenty of shade

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User 19274127

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike, well sheltered from the sun and heat by the forest. I recommend it if you are staying in the area for a few days. However, there are probably other even nicer trails in the area (but further north-east of Vouglans) if you are short on time.

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monnon
monnon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's a shame you have to navigate between the trees to see the lake, otherwise the two villages are lovely to visit.

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pathy
pathy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent route.
The route along the lake is sublime, with magnificent views throughout. The little village of Saint-Christophe is charming and very picturesque. It's a shame that the little chapel is closed. La Tour-du-Meix is also a very pretty village.
This is a hike that I highly recommend.

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Sebflo11
Sebflo11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great hike offering beautiful views of the lake and a waterfall cascading down the cliffs. Accessible to all as there are no particular difficulties, passing by the ruins of a castle and the small village of La Tour du Meix. The forest is covered in moss, giving it a magical charm. Don't hesitate to give it a go!

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