The Combes de Givors

Hike in the valleys between Givors and Echalas, in unspoilt countryside just a stone's throw from a large town.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 298 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 298 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 470 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 172 m

Description of the walk

Park at Haute-Freydière, at the end of the dead-end road (park along the side), Chemin du Cotéon near the bridge over the stream.

(S/E) Cross the bridge, take the path and cross the stream.

(1) Take the path on the right that goes up the Ruisseau du Cotéon to a fork at a ford.

(2) Take the path on the left that crosses the ford and heads uphill towards Montmain (yellow markings). Pass under the power lines and join the D158 in Montmain after crossing the stream again.

(3) First turn left then right and follow the road towards Chatanay to join the D162. Turn right and continue for 100 metres.

(4) Turn left and, after 300 m, join the D59, then continue right for a few metres.

(5) Take the path that enters the forest, then turn right again onto the path that continues west to Grandes Moussières and join the D103E2 road. Follow the road to the right until you reach the crossroads.

(6) Turn right onto the small Route du Buisson Sorbier which descends to Poirieux.

(7) At the end, turn right onto the path that joins a road (D162) at Petit Chatanay, then turn right onto this road and continue for about 150 metres.

(8) Continue along the path to the north. Pass under the power lines and continue east to La Rodière.

(9) Cross the D158 to take the road heading due north which joins Le Falconnet, which you go around on the left.

(10) Turn right onto the path that leads to the forest and the valley, which takes you back to the fork you passed on the way there.

(2) Continue straight ahead to return to the bridge and then the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 172 m - La Haute Freydiere
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 180 m - Common fork A/R
  3. 2 : km 0.65 - alt. 217 m - Fording. Common fork A/R
  4. 3 : km 2.57 - alt. 342 m - Montmain
  5. 4 : km 3.53 - alt. 379 m - Chatanay
  6. 5 : km 3.94 - alt. 417 m - On the right, path through the forest
  7. 6 : km 6.07 - alt. 428 m - Small road on the right
  8. 7 : km 7.13 - alt. 408 m - Poirieux
  9. 8 : km 7.84 - alt. 401 m - Entrance to Petit Chatanay
  10. 9 : km 9.11 - alt. 349 m - La Rodière
  11. 10 : km 10.11 - alt. 325 m - Path on the right
  12. S/E : km 12.01 - alt. 172 m - La Haute Freydiere

Notes

Good shoes if the valleys are wet; it can be slippery in the woods.

Worth a visit

The town of Givors, its centre and its quays along the Rhône.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
noisettes
noisettes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike using GPS tracking.
Unexpected landscapes just a stone's throw from Givors.
A bit of tarmac on the plateau but very little traffic.
We'll be back.

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Roudon
Roudon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A bit disappointing because there is a lot of tarmac, but for a winter hike it is perfect.

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michel.guinand
michel.guinand

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike through wooded countryside. Be careful, it can be slippery in autumn. Very shady, best done in summer.

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yvesdaru
yvesdaru

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb through the forest is a change of scenery. The path is sometimes hidden because nature has reclaimed its rights. There are quite a few fallen trees.
On the plateau, we got hot and it's the least interesting part, despite the beautiful views, as it's mostly on tarmac.
It's still a lovely walk.

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Sergio1958
Sergio1958

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, mostly through woodland near Givors.
However, it is impossible to do it without getting lost if you do not have the GPS track on your phone.
There are three or four places where you have to turn off without any signposts.
You can stop for a bite to eat in the hamlet of La Rodière, where there are benches.
In summary, this is a moderately difficult hike with beautiful views of the valley and lovely passages through charming little hamlets.

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lisabelle
lisabelle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, varied walk, accessible to all, peaceful and surrounded by nature. We really enjoyed it. One of the most beautiful walks in the area.

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kevinniels56
kevinniels56

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, completed twice in November: one section in the valleys, well sheltered from the wind, and one section on the plateau.

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pouget yves
pouget yves

A bit complicated perhaps, but done by most hikers. See all reviews.

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ERIC P.
ERIC P.

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Disappointed after losing 4 points
I had the map and the GPS
Too complicated, found my way back at point 6
Only to get lost again after point 9
Return via the D 103, which is 2.5 km on the road:

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guy pagat
guy pagat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's surprising how close to Givors, a town that doesn't have a bucolic image, you can explore almost untamed nature. Climb under the trees, but it can get hot on the plateau.

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pouget yves
pouget yves

Maps are designed for this purpose, and one should practise hiking using only them. It is a matter of practice.

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roland.
roland.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike to do in spring or autumn.
At the entrance to Le Petit Chatanay, turn left at the chalet and pass under the high-voltage power lines.

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Aurélie M.
Aurélie M.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike that begins in Les Combes under the woods, following the Cotéon stream. The path is both accessible and wild. It climbs but is not very difficult. At the edge of the woods, there is a beautiful view of the Monts du Lyonnais and Lyon. Crossing the hamlets on small roads is safe, with little traffic. There are beautiful houses along the way. The Crêt des Moussières is easily reached through the woods, with a beautiful view of the mountains to the south-west as you arrive at the Grandes Moussières. The hamlet of Poirieux has beautiful houses with exposed stonework. As you descend towards La Rodière, the view is even more beautiful to the north and over Lyon. The return to the Combes de Givors is all downhill.
The directions are very good. Perhaps a little more detail would be useful between certain points, as there are a few paths where I hesitated and needed to check the route and the IGN map.
Thanks to the contributor!
For your information, the route is 15-16 km from the Givors Ville TER station.

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randomiolande
randomiolande

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, alternating between forests along a stream and plateaus between the Gier Valley
and the Rhône valley... Beautiful panoramic views over the valley and, much further away, Lyon... Crossing
small, charming hamlets... Hours of very pleasant walking in the sunshine today
and a short journey from Mions.

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