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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Details

11311
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 239 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 237 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 676 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 445 m

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

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 447 m - Route de La Mitonnière, near the - Yzeron (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.58 - alt. 526 m - Towards the dolmen.
  3. 2 : km 0.88 - alt. 574 m - Dolmen (Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux)
  4. 3 : km 1.85 - alt. 674 m - Châteauvieux. - Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Châteauvieux)
  5. 4 : km 2.87 - alt. 528 m - Le Giraud.
  6. S/E : km 4.89 - alt. 445 m - Route de La Mitonnière

Notes

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!

Worth a visit

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 72 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
JLC69340
JLC69340

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with several unobstructed views, particularly at the Châteauvieux Chapel (in February 2026: under renovation, not open to visitors). A steep climb at the start , but this is mentioned in the description! The trail is very easy to follow with no risk of getting lost, especially with the GPS app. Note: despite the heavy rain in recent days, the route was generally dry with very little mud.

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Didier Brut
Didier Brut

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike with beautiful views

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G.M.C
G.M.C

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Hello

The software map does not show all paths

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cenucci
cenucci

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
fffb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route through undergrowth. Hardly any roads.

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Totochapo
Totochapo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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

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ndimbi
ndimbi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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

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country
country

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very nice walk, no tar

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Josette R
Josette R

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk to do in all seasons

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photon3869
photon3869
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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
Xerian

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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
ROUELIBRE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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
BALADEZ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
SARNELLI Lucienne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
VERNAY Albert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very pleasant short walk.

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