Bonlieu Lake

de fr

A short hike between forest and lake, very peaceful and relaxing in this popular lake region.

Details

n°361209
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 14 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 14 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 808 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 794 m
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Photos

bonlieu Lake
general view
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Bonlieu Lake

Description of the walk

The start of this route is on the D75, at the intersection with a forest road on the right coming from Bonlieu. There are two or three parking spaces available. If you can't park there, park at (3) and start the hike by returning to (S/E).

(S/E) Opposite the entrance to Le Prieuré, take the forest track on the right, heading south-west. Follow this track for 1.3 km through a pine forest mixed with deciduous trees.

(1) At the first major fork, turn left onto a dirt track. Gradually discover the lake as you walk east and then north.

(2) Turn left towards a footbridge, cross it and follow a small path that goes around the hill. This small loop allows you to discover a beautiful part of the lake. Return to the intersection of the loop.

(2) Turn left. Follow the dirt road along the lake again.

(3) At the end of the path, take the paved road on the left, pass in front of the old abbey, now a residence, and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 794 m - Corner of the forest track and road. - Hérisson (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ain
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 808 m - Turn left.
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 795 m - Loop around the wooded hill - Lac de Bonlieu
  4. 3 : km 2.87 - alt. 796 m - Take the small road on the left. - camping de l'abbaye
  5. S/E : km 3.54 - alt. 794 m - Corner of the forest track and road.

Notes

There are traces of markings in places, but these should be ignored. I recommend doing this hike in the direction described as the return journey is much more interesting.

Worth a visit

Very beautiful landscapes on the hills that plunge into the lake.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 22 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
P94
P94

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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Lulurando.ch
Lulurando.ch

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Departures from the lake to the viewpoints are not indicated. No mention of time or elevation gain.

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Heidi67
Heidi67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk around the lake, with no particular difficulties.
We joined this route from Bonlieu via the GR559, which doubles the distance.

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cellomexico
cellomexico

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice short hike to warm up.

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Paul Vercout
Paul Vercout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route with stops along the lake, including one at a beautiful wooden bridge overlooking a picnic area.

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matnat
matnat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very easy walk, accessible to all.
the return trip is in full sun, which is a shame

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Jef9117
Jef9117

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Easy hike

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christian69390
christian69390

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pleasant and easy walk

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nyna21
nyna21
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike. The section along the lake is very pleasant, but many trees have been cut down on the forest path.

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Grosse Valérie
Grosse Valérie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike

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mariefo
mariefo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done with the family with young children aged 6 and 2½. The trail is accessible with a pushchair and is very pleasant as it is shaded. The site was moderately busy on this very sunny Ascension Day.

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vica39
vica39

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed in 1 hour, very beautiful lake, pleasant. It is best to park in the car park at marker 3 on the map, where there are several spaces.

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zaboudie
zaboudie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant, easy walk for the whole family. Great for children.

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Sevliga
Sevliga

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

We did this hike at the end of August with our 8-year-old son and our 2-month-old daughter in a baby carrier. It was very easy and took just over an hour, as advertised. Almost two-thirds of the walk is through the forest, and you don't see the lake until the end, which is a shame. And we were eaten alive by mosquitoes. We had several on us at all times, both in the forest and around the lake, which was a bit marshy. It was awful! Nice walk, but perhaps better in autumn or winter!

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ALO38500
ALO38500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very relaxing and peaceful, beautiful light during the walk on this lovely afternoon. The climb to the Belvédère de Maguenay via the GR559 adds an extra 2 km to the walk and offers a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding area.

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