The botanical trail at Châtillon-en-Michaille (Valserhône)

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During this walk, discover the arboretum established in 1920. As well as local trees such as birches, hornbeams and spruces, it features exotic species including Lebanese cedars and red oaks… There are around twenty different species, all catalogued and labelled.

Details

n°3167936
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 778 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 768 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,490 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,719 ft
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Photos

Douglas fir in the arboretum

Description of the walk

In Chatillon-en-Michaille, park at the Place Clertan car park on Rue Aimé Bonneville.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn left to cross the bridge over the motorway.

(1) Immediately afterwards, turn left into Rue des Pâquerettes, then turn right straight away onto Chemin d’Ardon, which leads onto the D101D.

(2) Turn right, then immediately left to join the D101C, Route de la Croix Jean-Jacques. Follow it carefully, then leave it after about a hundred metres to follow a path on the left which rejoins the road further up. Cross over and continue along the path opposite.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the path leading up to the Lulenne farm. Once you reach the farm, veer to the right and walk for about fifty metres.

(4) Turn left up the four steps next to the lime tree specimens: you are now entering the botanical trail of the Ardon Arboretum. Continue along the botanical trail as it winds through the arboretum until you reach the sign for the ‘Michaille route’.

(5) Turn left, cross the grassy track and carry on straight ahead, crossing the power line corridor. Immediately afterwards, veer left and continue downhill, following the signs for ‘Retour parking’.

(3) Turn right onto the path you took on the way up to join the D101C. Cross the road and continue downhill straight ahead, keeping to the right of the road for about a hundred metres before turning off to the right. Ignore the first street on the right and carry on to the next junction.

(2) Turn right, then immediately left onto Chemin d’Ardon. Continue along Rue des Pâquerettes.

(1) Turn right to cross the bridge over the motorway and then turn right again to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,722 ft - Place Clertan car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 1,742 ft - Junction: A/ left: R/ right
  3. 2 : mi 0.55 - alt. 1,972 ft - Junction: A/ right – R/ left
  4. 3 : mi 0.93 - alt. 2,175 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  5. 4 : mi 1.12 - alt. 2,320 ft - La Lulenne
  6. 5 : mi 1.68 - alt. 2,480 ft - Exit from the Arboretum
  7. S/E : mi 3.07 - alt. 1,722 ft - Place Clertan car park

Notes

Wear walking shoes. Take water with you. Do not stray from the marked paths. Dogs must be kept on a lead.

Worth a visit

To extend the walk, you can continue on the Michaille route from point (5) (duration: 3 hours).
Don’t miss the Pertes de la Valserine, 4 km away.

More information at: https://www.terrevalserine.fr

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
gaud bernard
gaud bernard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice, shaded route for a day out during a heatwave

Machine-translated

scoubidoubidou
scoubidoubidou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

The botanical trail will be closed throughout July 2022 due to forest maintenance work.

Machine-translated

Sandrinem41
Sandrinem41

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very enjoyable and informative

Machine-translated

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