The Bois de Chassagne

de fr

A hike with a variety of points of interest: traditional farms, ponds, fields and forest.

Details

n°6419266
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 57 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 57 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 317 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 272 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Path
Fields
Tree
Forest

Description of the walk

The starting point is Place du 19 Mars 1962.

(S/E) Leave the car park and cross the main road at the pedestrian crossing. Go around the cemetery, then turn right at the intersection. Once you have left the town, continue straight on until you reach the Étang de l'Écluse. Go around this pond by taking the dirt track on the left.

(1) At the "Le Grand Marais" signpost, turn right. When you reach a crossroads, turn right until the path turns into a tarmac road. Follow this road to the main road.

(2) Cross the D904 with caution and continue straight ahead. At the hamlet of Montessuy, go straight ahead and take the dirt track.

(3) At the "La Froidière" signpost, turn left onto the path towards Crans. Cross the small stream, then at the crossroads, turn right and continue into the Chassagne Forest. When you leave the forest, turn right.

(4) At the "L'Abattiale" signpost, turn left towards Crans, following the tarmac road. Keep left and continue to the hamlet of Montbuisson.

(5) At the junction of several tarmac roads, turn left onto the small C209 hill. Continue straight ahead: the tarmac road turns into a dirt track, then joins another tarmac road, which you follow to the left.

(6) At the signpost, continue straight ahead until you reach the "Le Folliet" signpost. Turn left onto the dirt track towards Étang des Gouttes. Follow this track through the Chassagne Forest until you reach Étang des Gouttes at the edge of the forest.

(7) At the "Étang des Gouttes" signpost, turn left and follow the road to the D904 departmental road. Cross it carefully and follow it to the left, walking on the wide grass verge.

(8) At the "Le Malepalud" signpost, turn right towards Les Peillets. Walk first along the Étang Malepalud, then follow the road to the hamlet of Lentet. Continue on the dirt track, keeping to the left. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Étang de Chassagne. A little further on, on the right, there is a beautiful view of the Étang Boland. Continue straight ahead along the Étang des Argotières and join a departmental road.

(9) At the "Les Peillers" signpost, turn left towards Chalamont and continue along the district road for about 400 metres. Take the dirt track on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach the "Le Grand Marais" signpost.

(1) Go straight ahead to return to Chalmont and back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 293 m - Place du 19 Mars 1962 - Toison (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.29 - alt. 294 m - Grand Marais
  3. 2 : km 2.46 - alt. 301 m - D904
  4. 3 : km 3.72 - alt. 282 m - La Froidière
  5. 4 : km 5.14 - alt. 272 m - The Abbey Church
  6. 5 : km 5.76 - alt. 290 m - Hamlet of Montbuisson
  7. 6 : km 7.12 - alt. 301 m - Directional signpost
  8. 7 : km 8.71 - alt. 310 m - Étang des Gouttes
  9. 8 : km 9.82 - alt. 310 m - Le Malepalud signpost
  10. 9 : km 12.16 - alt. 317 m - Les Peillers
  11. S/E : km 15.14 - alt. 293 m - Place du 19 Mars 1962

Notes

42% tarmac.
Be careful when crossing or walking along main roads.
Trails may be muddy in wet weather.
During the hunting season, the town hall may decide to close the trails.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Popouruchka
Popouruchka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hiking is wonderful in spring: the sky is blue, the rapeseed fields are in full bloom, flowers are everywhere, and the star of the show – lily of the valley – is in full bloom.

Machine-translated

adubout
adubout

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed on 03/03/2026 in spring weather with paths in very good condition. A very pretty, varied circular route with a short section along a busy road between 7 and 8.
Alternating meadows and forests, which must be shaded in summer and offer beautiful scenery.
Information board at the start and halfway (Crans, picnic table), markings sometimes not very visible but the GPS track is perfect.
At this time of year, there is a clear view of the ponds, even if they are sometimes far away. There is plenty of activity, even frogs enjoying the generous sunshine.

Machine-translated

jctrimintin
jctrimintin

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in May 2025. I use a Garmin GPS for hiking, so I had no problem following the trail. The GPX file is fine.
The hike is easy, it's true there is a lot of tarmac. I found this hike to be of little interest. The ponds are often hidden by vegetation or dry. Very few birds. You can see the large Chassagne pond in the distance, but there is no path along the edge of the pond. Nice view of the Malepalud pond at point 8 of the route.

Machine-translated

randocrem
randocrem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route in dry weather, as I had done it before after days of rain and the paths were very muddy.
It's a shame you can't get closer to Chassagne Pond as there is no path running along its banks.

Machine-translated

Annick L
Annick L

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

It should be noted that we went on this hike after several days of rain, so the tarmac was very welcome. What's more, these roads are not very busy.
The ponds were full of water.
This is an ideal hike for beginners or those looking for an easy, straightforward outing.

Machine-translated

mimiche1954
mimiche1954

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk along ponds and through woodland, where we found lilies of the valley growing by the side of the path.
Typical housing with pretty renovated farms.
There is a bit of tarmac, but the small roads are very quiet, except for the section on the D904, but there is room to walk on the hard shoulder where the vegetation has been mowed to leave a wide passage.
On the day we did this hike, there was an icy wind, so we had to keep our stops short, especially in the open areas along the ponds, which was a shame. We'll have to do it again when the sun is shining.
This hike can be done with children as there is no elevation gain.
As for the question of whether the route is very busy, I answered no, but as the weather was really bad on the day we did it, it's difficult to be objective!

Machine-translated

Jetiris
Jetiris

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Each stage is different, walking in harmony with nature, at the top
To be repeated (bookmarked)

Machine-translated

NissouIver
NissouIver

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Something to do if you enjoy walking along roadsides... I really didn't find it interesting at all.

Machine-translated

Chantal MEUNIER
Chantal MEUNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk through the woods and around ponds where all kinds of birds could be observed; serenity and calm. Admittedly, there are a few tarmac sections between points 7 and 8, so there is traffic, especially once you are on the D904.
Just before arriving at the abbey church (point 4), we saw a pair of peacocks (admittedly in captivity).
Still at point 4 (the abbey church), we deliberately turned right with the aim of having lunch by the pond: it's worth the detour.
Between points 4 and 5, a few pottery pieces adorn the side of the path.

Machine-translated

B martin
B martin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Lots of ponds. The terrain is flat, which is normal in the Dombes, but with a little bit of relief, which is very pleasant.
The ponds are dry, which is normal because, depending on the year, farmers transfer water from one pond to another to fertilise the soil.

Machine-translated

cmb
cmb

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A bit disappointed because many ponds are dry.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Circuit of the 11 lakes in the Dombes

Tourist office
Circuit des 11 étangs dans la Dombes
↔11.87 km ↗+11 m ↘-11 m ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Nizier-le-Désert (Ain)
This walk takes you through typical Dombes landscapes such as ponds, fields and copses. There are many ponds to see, making this route particularly interesting. Remember to bring your binoculars.

Walking Route from Gévrieux to Châtillon-la-Palud

Tourist office
Circuit de Gévrieux à Châtillon-la-Palud
↔7.50 km ↗+150 m ↘-140 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Châtillon-la-Palud (Ain)
A beautiful hike with varied landscapes: the Dombes plateau, a view of the Bugey and access to the Ain river.

Walking The Plantay Tower

Tourist office
La Tour du Plantay
↔6.48 km ↗+7 m ↘-7 m ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Le Plantay (Ain)
A hike that combines nature and heritage, with beautiful panoramic views, ponds and the Plantay Tower.

Walking Loop around Saint-Éloi

Visorando Member
Boucle autour de Saint-Éloi
↔7.63 km ↗+92 m ↘-89 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Éloi (Ain)
This easy circuit around the commune of Saint-Éloi in the Ain department will give you a glimpse of the Dombes region. It also offers plenty of geocaching opportunities for enthusiasts.

Walking From Ain to the Moutonnière Plateau

Tourist office
De l'Ain au Plateau de la Moutonnière
↔12.70 km ↗+222 m ↘-215 m ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villette-sur-Ain (Ain)
A pleasant hike with a slight incline, shaded sections and sections on dirt trails. This hike combines nature and heritage as it passes close to two castles.

Walking Ponds and Notre Dame des Dombes Abbey

Visorando Member
Étangs et Abbaye de Notre Dame des Dombes
↔17.14 km ↗+9 m ↘-9 m ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Plantay (Ain)
I had wanted to walk through this flat countryside with its multitude of ponds for a long time. I suggest this route, which starts at Notre-Dame des Dombes Abbey. It will take you past some beautiful ponds and local farms. Depending on the season, you will be accompanied by the songs of a multitude of birds. Frogs will jump out of the water as you pass by and curious cows will come to meet you.

Walking On the edge of the Étangs des Dombes lakes, starting from Meximieux

Visorando Member
En bordure des Étangs des Dombes au départ de Meximieux
↔8.77 km ↗+98 m ↘-95 m ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Meximieux (Ain)
This is an easy, short walk along quiet coastal paths in Meximieux, partly through farmland and partly through deciduous hedgerows. It is also a way to get close to some of the ponds in the Dombes and see lots of birds. At the Virgin of Saint-Sulpice, a beautiful panorama opens up before us, revealing the Ain plain, the Bugey and the Rhône, and even the Alps, depending on the weather.

Walking Léchères Pond

Tourist office
L'Étang des Léchères
↔8.02 km ↗+9 m ↘-9 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Paul-de-Varax (Ain)
An easy route that takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes. Bring your binoculars.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.