The Bois des Côtes forest from Fontaines-Saint-Martin

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This route crosses the natural and agricultural site of the Vallon des Échets and the wetland area of the Ruisseau des Vosges. Once you arrive at the Madone site, at an altitude of 266 metres, you can enjoy an exceptional panorama of the Monts d'Or, the Saône valley, the cliffs of Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, the Monts du Beaujolais and the Fourvière hill.

Details

n°2365270
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 103 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 107 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 272 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 196 m
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Photos

Stream crossing
The Bois des Côtes
The Bois des Côtes
View from La Madone

Description of the walk

Park at the crossroads of Rue des Prolières and Chemin des Guettes in Fontaines-Saint-Martin.

(S/E) Head towards Cailloux-Sur-Fontaines via Rue des Prolières, then turn north onto Route du Trèves Oray (D85).

(1) Cross this road and Rue des Fours, then continue north-west via Moulin Soliman Pacha, Moulin de la Terrasse and the Prolières wetlands. You will reach the Bois des Côtes crossroads.

(2) Follow the edge of the Bois des Côtes on the left, turn left towards La Madone where there is a beautiful viewpoint.

(3) Continue south-west through the woods and, when you reach the end, turn onto Rue de la République. Stay on this street until you reach the crossroads with Chemin de la Marinade.

(4) Turn left onto this road and continue south until you reach the Ruisseau des Échets stream.

(5) Cross it and continue along the path at the edge of the woods. The path turns into a road and joins the crossroads with Rue des Fours.

(6) Turn left onto this street. Walk through Fontaines-Saint-Martin via Rue du Pont Mathou, Rue Gentil and Rue des Prolières to return to the car park on Rue des Prolières and Chemin des Guettes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 208 m - Rue des Prolières car park Chemin des Guettes
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 245 m - Crossing the D15
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 266 m - Bois des Côtes
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 271 m - La Madone
  5. 4 : km 3.12 - alt. 243 m - Chemin de la Marinade
  6. 5 : km 3.41 - alt. 196 m - Ruisseau des Échets
  7. 6 : km 3.9 - alt. 216 m - Crossroads of Rue des Fours
  8. S/E : km 5.17 - alt. 207 m - Rue des Prolières car park Chemin des Guettes

Worth a visit

Madone viewpoint

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
User 14168388

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is a pity that the descriptions do not include any indication of time or distance between each intermediate point on the walks.

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Cclerc69
Cclerc69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk, easy and fairly short. Beautiful scenery and views.

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adur
adur

Overall rating : 2 / 5

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

Difficulty following the route due to numerous missing landmarks.
Very disappointing.

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VINCENT Simone
VINCENT Simone

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I made a slight detour from Fontaines Saint Martin to cross the Prolières wetland (educational pond and footbridges). More interesting than the side of the road.

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amaval
amaval

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

easy hike, shaded but still sunny. Excellent!

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Juls
Juls

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Mostly walking along the road, not very interesting. A beautiful viewpoint
Parking area not really a car park
Description not great, we followed the signs put up by the local council, which were better indicated

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henri974
henri974

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Useless explanations – we had to find our own way to the woods, and again once we left the woods to return to the car, which we couldn't leave at the corner of the streets indicated due to a lack of parking spaces – I really don't recommend this hike

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WLADYSmj
WLADYSmj

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Difficulty finding the parking spot; it would be preferable to specify "park at the Esplanade Général de Gaulle where the route sign is located". Otherwise, a pleasant and easy walk with a beautiful view of the Saône de la Madone

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caroline brefort
caroline brefort

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk. Wetlands, streams, woods, fields, beautiful views, really lovely.

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Rounette
Rounette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. Lovely views of La Madone. The route is fairly easy, except perhaps at the beginning
A lovely walk to enjoy with the family

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Claire pernet
Claire pernet

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The description is quite well done with a map, but the directions using cardinal points are very difficult to follow as there is generally no compass on this type of hike.

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baladindesrues
baladindesrues

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route done on a Wednesday morning, very few people. The viewpoint at La Madone, by the same sculptor as the Virgin of Fourvière, FABISH, is superb. A very well-designed orientation table. A short walk, 6 km, for a quiet morning.

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danygilles
danygilles

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A bit messy at the start, but then very detailed. A walk for all ages, with a few nice climbs... preferably no pushchairs. Beautiful view of the Saône towards the Madonna!!!!!! A very simple and enjoyable walk!!!

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michaudier
michaudier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

lots of people on this first day of 'relaxed' lockdown. A beautiful day on a very pleasant route!

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AleksandrP
AleksandrP

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice little hike 30 minutes from Lyon. It takes 2 hours to complete the circular route, with a few climbs but nothing too strenuous.
Perfect for a Sunday afternoon

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