The Pont Marteau Viaduct route in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand

This circular route, which starts in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, follows an old railway line through countryside and forest, finally crossing the vertiginous Pont Marteau bridge, which is 320 m long and 50 m high.
This route follows the signs for "Sur les traces du tacot" (In the footsteps of the old train) and, in the forest, the yellow and red markings ofthe GRP® "Terre de tisseurs en forêt" (Land of weavers in the forest).

Details

68688365
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 222 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 231 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 669 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 526 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The route begins at the entrance to Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, Route de Saint-Just. Park in the spaces on either side of the road.

(S/E) Opposite the cemetery, take Chemin des Crêtes. At the multiple crossroads that immediately appear, pass a white cross on the right and then take Impasse Goutte Sourde. Join Route de Balbigny (D64).

(1) Cross it carefully and continue straight ahead on Chemin de Régny until you reach the junction with various signs, which is the crossroads of the circular route.

(2) Continue straight ahead until you see a dirt track on the right.

(3) Take this path, which is also marked by the sign "Sur les traces du tacot" (In the footsteps of the old car). At the end of the path, turn left to join Chemin de Régny and continue until you reach a fork.

(4) Turn right onto Chemin du Viaduc and continue until you reach Pont Marteau.

(5) Facing the bridge, turn right to pass under the motorway bridge. At the foot of the arches, immediately take the path on the right to the bridge under which the Ruisseau de Bernand flows.

(6) After this bridge, carefully cross the Route de Balbigny (D64) to take the path opposite that leads into the forest. Follow theGRP® "Terre de tisseurs en forêt" (Land of weavers in the forest) with yellow and red markings that leads to Pont Marteau, forming a circular route.

(7) Cross the Pont Marteau Viaduct and you will come to a fork.

(8) Continue to the right, following the sign for Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, and arrive at the hamlet of Régny.

(9) Turn right onto the path, then right again to join a dirt track that leads back to a barrier and the intersection where the signs for the start of the circular route are located.

(2) Turn right and, following the same route as on the way out, return to the car park:/A:.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 635 m - Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 655 m - Crossing the D64
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 665 m - Intersection of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 1.69 - alt. 654 m - Dirt track
  5. 4 : km 2.85 - alt. 594 m - Chemin du Viaduc
  6. 5 : km 3.57 - alt. 554 m - Opposite Pont Marteau
  7. 6 : km 4.03 - alt. 527 m - Bernand stream
  8. 7 : km 6.2 - alt. 580 m - Viaduc du Pont Marteau (Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand)
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 596 m - Régny hamlet
  10. S/E : km 8.93 - alt. 626 m - Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand

Notes

Picnic table

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 28129041

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

My entire walking group enjoyed the route and the beautiful scenery.
We will do this every year.

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Malegue jacques
Malegue jacques

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend this hike. The hammer bridge is worth seeing.

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Malegue jacques
Malegue jacques

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend this hike. The hammer bridge is a must-see.
And

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bovosoko
bovosoko

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed this hike, with the Marteau Bridge as the main point of interest
Rediscovering a section of the Tacot trail was also interesting.

The only (major) downside is the noise from the motorway, which spoils the whole experience with its unpleasant background noise.
In short, that's how it is...

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Falsa
Falsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views of the viaduct.
Alternative route starting from the viaduct, following the excellent signposts marked "sur les traces du tacot" (in the footsteps of the old train).

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pauline43
pauline43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for suggesting this hike. A bit too much road for my liking, but an easy and pleasant walk.

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pilou457
pilou457
• Edited:

A very beautiful hike. There are also two variations: you can climb up to Bénichon and descend via La Pigayère. After crossing the stream for the second time, turn right onto the lower path and join the tarmac road. If you turn left, you will reach Ste Colombes/Gand (10 km in total). If you turn right via Moncellier and Bernand, you will return to Ste Colombes (approx. 16 km). Check, but I think I posted it on Viso (Pilou457).

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