The heights of Montluel

A long walk starting from Montuel that will take you to the heights of the coast. In good weather, you can enjoy views of the Alps and the Bugey.
If you feel so inclined, the Madonna will thank you for stopping by the Saint-Barthélemy Chapel on your way back.

Details

3625401
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.37 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 512 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 492 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,017 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 630 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: La Boisse (01120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.848831° / E 5.046859°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3031OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Bricomarché car park in Laboisse.

(S/E) Walk along the back of Bricomarché to reach Impasse du Calice. At the end of this street, turn right, then left onto Impasse Saint-Martin. At the end of this street, at the barriers, turn right into the housing estate and, once at the end, go up to the right towards the forest.

(1) Take a sharp left turn onto Chemin Henri IV. From this point, follow the yellow hiking trail markings until you reach the junction with the D38.

(2) Go up a few dozen metres to the right before crossing and arriving at the "Saint-Alban" signpost. Continue to the "Bois de Jurieux" signpost.

(3) Turn right onto the path that climbs towards "la Camarette". At the edge of the field, continue to the right to follow it and go around it, passing under the power lines.

(4) At the "La Camarette" signpost, turn left towards "Les Trois Deniers".

(5) At the "Les Trois Deniers" signpost, turn right towards "Le Mollard".

(6) At the "Le Mollard" signpost, turn right again towards "Ville haute (Montuel)" and walk along the Bois des Sicotières on your right before turning north away from it.

(7) Cross the D38 road and, a hundred metres further on, turn right towards "Ville haute (Montuel)". Continue straight ahead to reach Montée du Chemin Neuf.

(8) Following the yellow markings, turn left to visit the Madonna and Saint Bartholomew's Chapel.

(9) Go back down to the junction.

(8) Continue left along Chemin de la Ville Haute, then turn right onto Montée du Chemin Neuf, which further on makes a sharp left turn.

(10) Turn right onto Chemin de la Pierre, then right again onto Chemin des Albanières. At the stop sign, turn left to reach the Bricomarché car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 636 ft - Bricomarché car park in Laboisse
  2. 1 : mi 0.53 - alt. 725 ft - Chemin Henri IV
  3. 2 : mi 0.92 - alt. 699 ft - D38
  4. 3 : mi 1.16 - alt. 794 ft - Bois de Jurieux signpost
  5. 4 : mi 1.7 - alt. 955 ft - La Camarette signpost
  6. 5 : mi 2.25 - alt. 1,010 ft - Les Trois Deniers signpost
  7. 6 : mi 2.55 - alt. 994 ft - Le Mollard signpost
  8. 7 : mi 3.56 - alt. 974 ft - D38
  9. 8 : mi 5.41 - alt. 853 ft - Chapel junction
  10. 9 : mi 5.57 - alt. 935 ft - Saint-Barthélemy Chapel
  11. 10 : mi 6.11 - alt. 755 ft - Chemin de la Pierre
  12. S/E : mi 6.37 - alt. 636 ft - Bricomarché car park in Laboisse

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.4 / 5
User 17843242

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The directions weren’t always very clear. We had quite a bit of trouble finding the way at the start.
The appeal of this route is very relative... lots of sections passing under or close to high-voltage pylons. A long stretch of the route runs alongside a field: the path was not at all easy. The grass was very tall...

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User 4429231

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a route to avoid in hot weather, as there is very little shade

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gridou de  mex
gridou de mex

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

We went on this walk because the weather was uncertain where we wanted to go (Cerdon).
Lots of fields, noise (traffic, aeroplanes) and poorly cleared paths (brambles and nettles) make the walk even less appealing.
It's better to do the Pérouges walk under the same conditions.

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Clavel Philippe
Clavel Philippe
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Part of the route (on the plateau) is along a grassy path (tall grass) which is rather difficult and not very interesting.

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Montevideo
Montevideo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part is most enjoyable, picking lilies of the valley in the undergrowth!
The "high" part of the hike (in the middle, through the fields) is more monotonous.

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hiker38
hiker38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Walking around the crops on this immense plateau is not very interesting.
We did catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc, though!

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Chantal MEUNIER
Chantal MEUNIER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very reliable description. Easy walk, with only one small hill. Once you reach La Vierge, there are views of Bugey, the town of Montluel and the plain (industrial area). However, it is still a pleasant walk. When the sun is strong, it is essential to wear a hat.

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Lolo.Paquien
Lolo.Paquien

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route without any particular difficulties, in beautiful February sunshine.
Very good.

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jeff777
jeff777

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant for a route close to a busy area. Very easy walk.
The description makes it easy to follow the route, except for the start and especially the finish in town...could be improved...but it's hard to get lost.
From La Madone, there is a beautiful view of the Alps and Mont Blanc, not to be missed if the weather permits. Well... you can also see the Montluel industrial area.

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sergio 56
sergio 56

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A good route for getting back into exercise. Beautiful views.

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jbrunot
jbrunot

Thank you for your comment! The sun will eventually come out.

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petrus.v
petrus.v

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing more to say... Only the weather was not on our side...

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TotoB
TotoB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk with a beautiful finale (chapel and Saint-Barthélémy viewpoint).
However, avoid it on very sunny days (today was relatively cloudy, so conditions were good) as there is little shade.
That said, apart from the end, the scenery is rather monotonous (Ain plain, etc.).

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