The Col de Malval at the start of the Courzieux Wildlife Park

de fr

More of a stroll than a hike, which can then be followed by a visit to the Wolf Park.

Details

n°32707556
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 778 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 771 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,559 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,808 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park at the entrance to Courzieux Park.

(S/E) Turn right at the entrance to the park car park onto the tarmac road, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®89. Continue along the wide track to reach, via a gentle climb, the junction with the Col de Malval track.

(1) Carry on straight ahead along theGR® and stay on it. You’ll reach the Château de Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid. Please note that before you reach the road, theGR® has been diverted, but the route you’re following is indeed the original GR® path. Stay on the road for about a hundred metres until you reach the track junction.

(2) Leave theGR®89here and turn right onto theGRP® for the Tour des Monts du Lyonnais. Now follow the yellow and red markings. Walk at a leisurely pace along the almost flat path until you reach the Col de Malval.

(3) Cross the car park to the right, then begin the descent along the track to return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the car park at the entrance to the Animal Park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,818 ft - Car park at the entrance to the Animal Park
  2. 1 : mi 0.64 - alt. 2,260 ft - Crossroads at the end of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.24 - alt. 2,477 ft - Château de Saint Bonnet le Froid
  4. 3 : mi 2.02 - alt. 2,411 ft - Col de Malval (732m)
  5. S/E : mi 3.27 - alt. 1,808 ft - Car park at the entrance to the Animal Park

Notes

No water points on this route

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
mike01500
mike01500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-marked route with some beautiful views
Very easy

Machine-translated

User 21778102

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well shaded, no difficulties. Time of 2.5 hours, well respected.

Machine-translated

Beata
Beata

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the snow-covered, magical woodland. It’s hard to say how good the view was, as the sun was supposed to be shining much higher up in the sky… The signposts are clear, the path is easy, and the estimated duration is generous.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking La Garine

Visorando Member
La Garine
↔6.10 mi ↗+846 ft ↘-817 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
A lovely walk starting from the Col de Malval, offering views of both sides of the Monts du Lyonnais, the Brévenne side and the Lyonnais basin, with the added bonus of views of the Matin mountains to the west and the Alps to the east when the weather is clear. Physically demanding climb between km 3 and 6.

Walking Around the Col de Malval

Visorando Member
Autour du Col de Malval
↔5.16 mi ↗+1,070 ft ↘-1,053 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
Circular loop starting from Col de Malval via Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.

Walking Lafont - Biternay

Visorando Member
Lafont - Biternay
↔4.83 mi ↗+1,129 ft ↘-1,148 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
A beautiful circular loop off the beaten track, in steep and wild valleys.

Walking Col de la Luère, Col de Malval and Col de Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid

Visorando Member
Cols de la Luère, Malval et Saint-Bonnet le Froid
↔6.10 mi ↗+1,030 ft ↘-1,030 ft ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
100% trail route.From (2) to (7), a route with absolutely no traffic; a GPS is recommended, although in this steep-sided valley there is a slight discrepancy with the actual route.Due to fallen trees, the park area is tricky, and you’ll need to use GPS and common sense to make your way through.Although this is not a mountain hike, do not attempt this route if you only hike on well-marked paths, as this is an area with no marked trails. I have removed a small, wild section of the hike that had become almost impassable.

Walking Courzieu la Brevenne

Visorando Member
Courzieu la Brevenne
↔10.27 mi ↗+1,890 ft ↘-1,873 ft ◔6h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
Superb views along this route: Brevenne, Pilat, Lyon.

Walking Walk in the forest at the Col de la Luère

Visorando Member
Balade en forêt au Col de la Luère
↔3.46 mi ↗+732 ft ↘-728 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Pollionnay (Rhône)
A short loop for an afternoon stroll from the Col de la Luère. A very pleasant route, entirely in the forest, on easy paths and trails.

Walking Strawberries and cherries in Courzieu

Visorando Member
Fraises et cerises à Courzieu
↔4.59 mi ↗+1,076 ft ↘-1,050 ft ◔3h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
A beautiful circular walk starting from the village of Courzieu, ideal for an afternoon in the countryside! You will walk through the village's crops, cherry orchards and strawberry fields. Beautiful views of the Brévenne valley and the Beaujolais mountains in the distance.

Walking White Strawberry Route in Courzieu

Visorando Member
Circuit de la Fraise Blanche à Courzieu
↔5.94 mi ↗+1,496 ft ↘-1,496 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Courzieu (Rhône)
The Fraise Blanche route is a good introduction to the topography of Courzieu. You will reach the Col de la Croix de Pars from the hamlet of Sottizon and, after a pleasant stretch along the ridges, you will descend back to the village via the hamlet of Lafont.

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.