The Dolmen path

This path is very pleasant in the Autumn, with a magnificent view of the monts d'Or, Lyon and the Rhone valley.
This route can be extended in the direction of Yzeron or Thurin.
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Technical sheet

n°11311

Creation:
13 Sep 2012

Last update:
21 Nov 2023

Last review:
23 Sep 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.89 km
Average duration: 2h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 239 m
Vertical drop: - 237 m
Highest point: 676 m
Lowest point: 445 m

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts du Lyonnais
District: Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux (69670)
Start/End: N 45.713674° / E 4.629988°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2931ET, 2932ET, 3031OT
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Photos

Description of the walk

Parking in St Laurent-de-Vaux 69670 and La Mitonnière (next to the containers). Parking at the town hall.

In the latter, go down the stairs at the rear of the car park. On your left cross the small bridge, climb up towards la Mitonnière alongside the school. Turn to your left and continue straight on, up to the fork in the route, climbing up to Chateauvieux.

Turning right at the post, take the path through the Faix woods, with a steep drop at the beginning.

(1) 1st intersection in the direction of Dolmen.
Continue on the left, climbing upwards until you reach the Chapelle de Châteauvieux (open to visitors). From the platform, you can admire the magnificent view over the monts d'Or, Lyon and the Rhone valley.

(2) Continue on behind the Chapel on your right in the direction of Giraud.

(3) At the intersection, take the path in the direction of St Laurent-de-Vaux through the Faix woods.
This path will bring you back through the woods to where the hike started.

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 447 m - Route de La Mitonnière, near the - Yzeron (rivière)
1 : km 0.58 - alt. 526 m - Towards the dolmen.
2 : km 0.88 - alt. 574 m - Dolmen (Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux)
3 : km 1.85 - alt. 674 m - Châteauvieux. - Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Châteauvieux)
4 : km 2.87 - alt. 528 m - Le Giraud.
S/E : km 4.89 - alt. 445 m - Route de La Mitonnière

Practical information

Hiking boots are recommended for the stony path at the start.

Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux is currently one of the smallest municipalities in the Rhone valley.
Small municipality = small amenities.
Do not look for signposts and large car parks with defined parking spaces.
Natural site,
This is what makes it so charming!

In the nearby area

For the more adventurous: on arriving at the chapel of Châteauvieux, it is possible to continue along the path in the direction of Yzeron, Messimy, Thurins, Py-Froid, Saint-Martin-en-haut, Vaugneray, etc, etc.

Happy hiking!

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 69 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

cenucci

Sep 23, 2024 at 05:43 EDT

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We got lost at the first junction. A path leads off at right angles uphill... the sign said first left... We climbed back up to the dolmen through woods and brambles. Complicated, we didn't have time for the rest of the walk, we'll go back. Magnificent dolmen site with flowering heather!
Very pretty spot

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fffb

May 28, 2024 at 01:26 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route through undergrowth. Hardly any roads.

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Totochapo

Mar 30, 2022 at 11:51 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant, well-marked route. The dolmens leave something to be desired.

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ndimbi

Jan 31, 2022 at 03:20 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

to be completed by "plugging in" with Py-Froid

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country

Feb 26, 2021 at 02:49 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

very nice walk, no tar

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Josette R

Feb 22, 2021 at 03:52 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful walk to do in all seasons

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photon3869

Feb 15, 2021 at 14:43 EST • Last modified: Feb 15, 2021 at 14:45 EST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It's a lovely, easy walk through the woods, with some interesting sights and discoveries, particularly on the way to the Chapelle de Châteauvieux.

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Xerian

Feb 01, 2021 at 12:31 EST

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Interesting and pleasant route. Beautiful views once you reach the hamlet of Châteauvieux. Typical of the Monts du Lyonnais. The village of St-Laurent de Vaux is also not bad but a little hard to find...

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ROUELIBRE

Jan 31, 2021 at 12:12 EST • Last modified: Jan 31, 2021 at 12:15 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

For a winter outing that's not too long, this route is ideal. At the start, park at the bottom of the village (car park) as it is difficult to get to the starting point. The climb from the start is a little steep. The terrain is uneven in places and good footwear is essential. But nothing insurmountable. The advantage of this area in winter is that it's never very muddy and in summer you get to enjoy the shade of the trees. Climb up to Chateauxvieux (visit it when it's open) where you can enjoy the view. Then we set off on the return journey, taking some really nice, less rugged paths through the forest.

We met other walkers and mountain bikers, but it wasn't a big crowd either.

It was a great outing that we'd class as a 'must do again'.

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BALADEZ

Dec 28, 2020 at 12:38 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I agree with the reviews already written which I have just discovered with the exception of Monakéa's very disappointing review of Monday 28 October 2019. Too bad for him.
A magnificent view at this time of year with the trees bare, we would happily do it again in the autumn, spring and when the summer temperatures are high as it is well shaded.
Even in cold, wet weather, this is a popular route, so it is well known and appreciated.

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SARNELLI Lucienne

Dec 07, 2020 at 14:13 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very steep, stony path up to the Chapelle de Chateauvieux, from which there is normally a fine view. Unfortunately, it was foggy, but the path was dotted with autumn leaves. Nature was very beautiful.

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VERNAY Albert

Nov 30, 2020 at 03:32 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant short walk.

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annie_12

Oct 19, 2020 at 07:47 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a very pleasant route through a beautiful forest that lets the sun's rays shine through, providing some very beautiful scenery. The passage to the Dolmen is very interesting and the chapel is well worth a visit. It should be noted, however, that Covid is no longer open to visitors.

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Jacques Pouzet

Oct 05, 2020 at 04:07 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Pleasant little walk

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le_ian

Sep 28, 2020 at 17:17 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A few people on the first part of the hike and then no one!
A delight in autumn, see the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU799Slh...