The Panissières monorail

de fr

Alternative route via the Panissières monorail: 15.2 km instead of 26 km. Take this route for the view of the Forez Mountains, passing through Donzy – a must-see and well worth a visit. Yellow and white signposted route with a black locomotive from Jas to La Valette, then from Chez Grizonnet back to Jas.
Following a comment from the author, it is preferable to park at (4) to start the hike.
The coordinates for the car park in the village of Donzy are: Longitude: 4.27990° Latitude: 45.74670°.

Details

n°19650015
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 335 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 335 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 592 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 351 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park in the centre of the village of Jas in the boules car park.

(S/E) Turn left from the car park, turn left again a few metres further on and follow the yellow-and-white markings and the black locomotive. You will reach a crossroads with a Black Cross.

(1) Turn right into Rue de la Croix Charmette. You will reach the hamlet of La Borgia. Continue straight on and pass the hamlet of Les Sapins. Take the path here and cross the River Doise. Then turn right onto theGR®89and head for the village of Salt-en-Donzy.

(2) Turn left towards the church and the town hall, then turn right onto theGR® to reach the junction with the D60.

(3) Turn left into the housing estate, then right; cross the D60 very carefully and continue straight on to the Ruines de Donzy neighbourhood. Continue right along theGR® to reach the monorail junction just before the Medieval Castle.

(4) Continue left, following the Ruisseau de la Charpassonne, along the monorail route until you reach the D113 just after the hamlet of La Valette.

(5) Turn right onto the Chemin du Bois de Serre to reach the hamlet of La Pelletière.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the D113 to reach the Y-junction near the hamlet of Chez Paradis.

(7) Turn almost 180° to the right towards the industrial estate and the junction with the D60.

(8) Cross it carefully and take the tarmac path straight ahead. Turn left at the next junction and arrive at the hamlet of Lachat.

(9) Turn right and you will find the yellow and white marker with the black locomotive. Continue straight along the path, ignoring all turnings to the right or left. At the edge of the woods, you will reach the Ruisseau de Vernailles.

(10) Follow its right bank, then cross it before reaching the D111.

(11) Cross it carefully and take the path opposite. Go straight on for a few metres, cross the bridge and then the Jas treetop adventure park until you reach the D111.1

(12) Cross this road carefully too, and take the path running parallel to it. Cross over again further on, taking care. Continue straight on, turn right at the cemetery, and you will then reach the boules car park in the centre of Jas (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 514 m - Car park by the boules court in the centre of Jas
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 502 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 365 m - Salt-en-Donzy
  4. 3 : km 2.88 - alt. 371 m - D60 junction
  5. 4 : km 4.35 - alt. 366 m - Donzy
  6. 5 : km 6.61 - alt. 405 m - Bois de Serre
  7. 6 : km 8.47 - alt. 535 m - La Pelletière
  8. 7 : km 9.76 - alt. 559 m - At Paradis
  9. 8 : km 10.84 - alt. 548 m - D60 junction
  10. 9 : km 11.47 - alt. 590 m - Lachat
  11. 10 : km 12.49 - alt. 509 m - Vernailles stream
  12. 11 : km 13.77 - alt. 470 m - D111 junction
  13. 12 : km 14.3 - alt. 456 m - D111.1 junction
  14. S/E : km 15.19 - alt. 514 m - Car park by the boules court in the centre of Jas

Notes

With the many rivers, you’ll find water all along the route.
In summer, bring at least two litres of water per person.

Worth a visit

(2) Salt-en-Donzy: see the 11th-century Romanesque church.
(4) Donzy: the medieval ruins.
Just before (5) the 11th-century Chapel of La Valette, a short detour of about 200 m.
Nearby (9) a beautiful view of the Forez mountains.
(E) Visit the village of Jas.

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
maxli42
maxli42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, despite a rather monotonous stretch along the road.
Varied scenery and the interesting ruins of Donzy.

Machine-translated

pilou457
pilou457

Thanks for the comment. Personally, I prefer starting from the Donzy car park, but in either case the scenery is magnificent

Machine-translated

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

• Thanks to the author for this walk. I’d already done a route in Salt-en-Donzy, but this time I followed the route and instructions to the letter. I set off from Jas, where it’s easy to park, and made my way down to Salt-en-Donzy. The view was stunning, and there was a magnificent rainbow! To reach Old Donzy, it’s definitely more interesting to approach from below rather than via the castle ruins.
• Since early 2021, work has been carried out to enhance the chapel and its surroundings. I was amazed by the work done by the volunteers (whose faces are displayed in the chapel). A garden has been created, along with a picnic area.
• Do make sure to visit the chapel at La Valette, which is very pretty. When you’re below the hamlet of La Valette, there’s a spot where you’ll find steps leading up to the village, signposted ‘Toilets’, I believe.

Machine-translated

pilou457
pilou457

Thank you for your feedback; it’s true that this route is a good option for those who want to enjoy the stunning scenery without having to complete the full circuit.

Machine-translated

Phil 42
Phil 42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are some lovely stretches along this route and some beautiful views.

Machine-translated

pilou457
pilou457

Thank you for your comments. I created this alternative route for those who find 26 km too much. Especially as the finish at Panissières is really tough...

Machine-translated

gilbonson
gilbonson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello:
We were short on time but wanted to do part of the route. We set off from Salt-en-Donzy and left the route at La Valette. We rejoined it at Jas.
Thanks to the route’s creator.
We plan to complete the whole route very soon

Machine-translated

pilou457
pilou457
• Edited:

Hello, as far as I can remember, I think it’s possible to do it on horseback (subject to change). I can’t see any real obstacles along the route. That said, it’s been a long time since I last did it!!! If you get stuck, there are plenty of ways to alter the route.

Machine-translated

Cavaliers Utopie
Cavaliers Utopie

Hello,

Is it possible to do this hike on horseback?
Are all the paths accessible? Are there any barriers or other obstacles that would prevent a horse from passing through?

Thank you. Have a nice day.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Circular from Jas to Salt-en-Donzy along the Doise

Visorando Member
Boucle de Jas à Salt-en-Donzy le long de la Doise
↔8.02 km ↗+246 m ↘-253 m ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Jas (Loire)
A circular that starts in Jas and takes us through forests and countryside to the small village of Salt-en-Donzy.

Walking Circular route around Salvizinet

Visorando Member
Boucle autour de Salvizinet
↔7.10 km ↗+121 m ↘-124 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Salvizinet (Loire)
Short hike in the Montagnes du Matin offering a 180° view of the Monts du Forez and following part of the old monorail track linking Panissières to Feurs.

Walking Circular from Saint-Martin-Lestra to Haute-Rivoire

Visorando Member
Boucle de Saint-Martin-Lestra à Haute-Rivoire
↔9.59 km ↗+205 m ↘-211 m ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Martin-Lestra (Loire)
A short, half-day family hike in the Monts du Lyonnais. Can be started from Haute-Rivoire, but the car park is a little way from the route. TheGR®89, Chemin de Montaigne, is marked in white and red.

Walking The view from Panissières

Visorando Member
Le panorama de Panissières
↔15.15 km ↗+375 m ↘-374 m ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Panissières (Loire)
An easy hike offering beautiful panoramic views of the Monts du Lyonnais. The route alternates between woodland, hamlets and farmland.

Walking Circular route between Haute-Rivoire, À Foix and Saint-Martin-Lestra

Visorando Member
↔11.86 km ↗+257 m ↘-258 m ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Haute-Rivoire (Rhône)
A pleasant walk from Haute-Rivoire to Saint-Martin-Lestra via the hamlet of A Foix on the way there and via theGR®89on the way back. The route is about 50% tarmac, but you’ll rarely come across any cars. If you look up, you’ll probably spot a buzzard or a kite. And if you’re attentive and quiet, you might see a hare or a rabbit at the edge of a wood, or, if you’re lucky, a roe deer or a wild boar. There is an interesting viewpoint at Calvaire (6).

Walking Circular loop of the three villages in the Monts du Lyonnais

Visorando Member
Grande boucle des 3 villages dans les Monts du Lyonnais
↔23.24 km ↗+620 m ↘-627 m ◔8h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Clément-les-Places (Rhône)
A beautiful circular route with panoramic views of the Monts du Forez. No particular technical difficulty. You can start from any of the three villages. The route is described from St-Clément les Places.

Walking Route from Saint-Roch Chapel to Maringes

Visorando Member
Circuit de la Chapelle Saint-Roch à Maringes
↔10.82 km ↗+305 m ↘-305 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Maringes (Loire)
This route in Maringes offers beautiful views of the Forez plain, the Bois Noirs, the Pilat and numerous villages (25 bell towers on a clear day). The route also offers 180° views of the village of Maringes and a beautiful panorama of the Brévenne valley. The route passes by a chapel built in the 17th century in honour of Saint-Roch for having stopped the diphtheria epidemic.

Walking Circular route between Villechenève and Chambost via the footpaths

Association / Club / Walk leader
Boucle entre Villechenève et Chambost par les chemins
↔16.73 km ↗+437 m ↘-431 m ◔6h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villechenève (Rhône)
Route from Villechenève to Chambost-Longessaigne and back, via the footpaths. A lovely circular route!

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.