The dams of La Valla-En-Gier

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An interesting route at the very beginning and at the very end (observatory), but the circular route around the lake is not particularly interesting as it is below the main road.

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Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello

I have done this hike several times to try to find alternative routes to avoid the road and the cable passages.
To avoid the road, I found a small path (is it the same one described in other comments?), you have to go back up the road for 150 metres and then down a wide path that leads to Le Gier via a bend. From the Gier, follow it. Go around the ruined building and continue along this bank. You will arrive at point 6 (you can see the small bridge that is on IGN). It is a small path, which may be slippery, and if the Gier is too high, I am not sure if it is passable.
To avoid the cables, after the dam, take the path that climbs steeply and is a little overgrown with broom. Take the small road to Le Pouay, and near the cross, take the pretty path that runs parallel to the riverside path. You can't see the reservoir very well. You will arrive at point 6.

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Amazing dam architecture
Too much asphalt, what a shame
Why leave from Luzernod?

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Thank you for these details and bifurcations. My friends and I really enjoyed my route, but I will try yours sometime! 🙏🏼

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Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the car park at Soulage Dam, the lowest point of the hike and easy to access.
The hike is interesting because it allows you to see three dams of very different designs. The climb from the village of La Valla to La Madonne is difficult in the heat. Be careful at point 1, after joining the path, at the three-way junction, take the path on the right.
The paths along the reservoirs are very pleasant and shaded.
We made a few small changes:
- we went along the left bank of the Rive dam, which is a regular and fairly wide path,
- at point 3, we chose the variation mentioned in the notice dated 12/10/2021 (Saleyre, then the small path on the left after the bridge)
- to avoid the long stretch on the CD, when we joined it after the Piney dam, we took the first track on the right (150 m further on) which descends to the foot of the dam. This track is marked on the IGN map. Before reaching the stream, we took a small path that branches off to the left and runs alongside the stream. It is very pleasant and we had no difficulty passing through. It leads between points 6 and 7. This alternative route should be avoided if the Gier has a high flow.
Thanks to the author.

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Date of your route : Oct 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Large car park at the start of the hike, slightly steep descent from Luzernod. At point 3, you can take the path that runs along the right bank of the Gier, a pleasant path (signposted Saleyres). After the bridge over the Gier, immediately take the small path on the left, which leads to the Piney dam. Cross the dam to rejoin the trail. You can see the mural by taking a short path on the left bank of the Gier, which descends towards the dam wall, as the vegetation prevents you from seeing the entire mural...Caution!!! When leaving the Piney dam, there is a stretch of road to the Rive dam. If you are in a group, the Valla en Gier road is very busy at weekends with motorists and cyclists, so be careful... For the tour of the Soulages dam, start on the left bank and finish on the right bank. Be careful on the path near the water on the right bank, as it is a bit challenging (chains). Be cautious in rainy weather as it is slippery and there is a risk of falling into the dam. The hike ends at the Rive dam in Luzernod with a slight incline to return to the starting point. I did this hike with a GPS and scouted it out to take my club there soon.
Thanks to the author.

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Date of your route : Aug 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this hike, which allowed us to discover the three dams. There were quite a few people around the two dams where you can walk around, which was to be expected given the mild weather. For me, I just found the descent to Piney Dam a bit physically demanding (I have a slight knee problem).

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Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I extended my hike to ND de l'Hermitage in the north to fill the whole day.
A very interesting hike with its three dams and the village of La Valla.
The mural on the dry Piney dam is impressive in its scale. With the vegetation growing, you will soon have to choose the best vantage point to view it.
The paths along the dams are very pleasant.
Thanks to the author.

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