Messimy walks

Starting from Messimy, on the outskirts of Lyon, this circular route takes you to the small Yzeron waterfall, passing through the hilltop village of Chateauvieux, the Py-Froid viewpoint and the dolmen in the Faix woods. Author’s note: This description was written some time ago. Please check reviews and makeuse of the Visorando app

This circuit crosses the meadows and woods of the first foothills of the Monts du Lyonnais. It leads to the Piragoy viewpoint, which offers a view of Messimy and the villages and crops of the Piémont des Monts du Lyonnais, and on a clear day, a beautiful panorama of the Alps and the Pilat Massif.

Short walk on the edge of the Monts du Lyonnais with a slight climb at the start. This route can be shortened by a good third (and thus avoid a return trip on the same path) by parking at the Hameau de la Basse Bruyère (1)

A pleasant half-day walk along paths and through woods with beautiful views of the region.

Located in the Monts du Lyonnais, this circular route runs mainly through the woods of the Yzeron and Garon valleys. From Thurins, the trail climbs the hill separating the two valleys and descends to Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux. It climbs back up to the source of the Garon via Châteauvieux and Yzeron, then through the woods to Thurins. Along the route, take some time to visit the dolmen and chapel in Châteauvieux.

This long but lovely walk takes you through the hills and valleys of the Monts du Lyonnais, passing through woods and meadows. It goes via Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux, the Col de la Croix de Malval, the woods of Courzieux, the ruins of the Chapelle Saint-Clair, the imposing statue of the Madonna, Yzeron, the Bois de la Vourne and the Croix des Barons.

This lovely hike takes you through the valleys of the Garon and Artilla rivers. From Thurins, the circular route passes through the hamlet of Jaricot and La Grand-Croix before descending to Les Bruyères. It crosses the hamlet of Julin, then crosses the Garon before climbing up the opposite slope. On the ridge, at the Croix des Barons, it swings over to La Burlière, crosses the Artilla and, via the Bois du Bacha, reaches the hamlet of La Grande Côte and then the village of Thurins.

This circular path, which winds between the slopes of the wide Garon Valley, offers beautiful views whilst having the advantage of being relatively dry even after rainy spells. From Thurins, the path briefly crosses the north-facing slope before returning to the opposite side and climbing towards Quinsonnas. Staying close to the ridge, it reaches Yzeron, from where it skirts the top of the valley and returns to the north-facing slope. Passing by the Garon dam, it returns to the south-facing slope, then winds its way up to the top of this slope before descending to Thurins.

Thurins, the "raspberry capital", is the starting point for this hike to discover the countryside, forests and viewpoints of the Monts du Lyonnais.

This fairly easy circuit from Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux will take you on a pleasant trail mainly in the forest. If the weather is clear, the view from the Plat Saint-Romain plateau offers a panoramic view of the Alps.

A long walk through the forest and across fields on either side of the Yzeron valley. Quite a few small climbs and descents, some of which are a little steep (at least one climb is too difficult for mountain bikers) Moderator's rating The section between (8) and (9) is no longer accessible. See reviews (22/03/2022) for an alternative

This path is very pleasant in the Autumn, with a magnificent view of the monts d'Or, Lyon and the Rhone valley. This route can be extended in the direction of Yzeron or Thurin. .

A lovely circular route starting from Saint-Laurent-de-Vaux, in the commune of Vaugneray, which climbs to the Col de Malval via Clavigny. Takes 3 hours on foot, 2 hours running, or by mountain bike.

A short walk around the rocks of Crêt du Py Froid. The path is a bit bumpy but remains very easy to follow. Other longer and less steep walks are possible. __Saturday 10 April 2011. Please note: the suggested parking area is on private property. Awaiting an update from the author__

A 2-hour warm-up on the heights of Vaugneray...

This hike alternates between forests, meadows and beautiful views of the Rhône valley and the Alps, mainly on paths and small roads. There are no technical difficulties, just a few steep slopes.

Beautiful views of Lyon, Pilat, the Monts du Lyonnais and, with a bit of luck, as far as Mont Blanc. The chapel is sometimes open at weekends and is well worth a visit.

Discover the surroundings of the village of Yzeron, starting from the valley.

A very pleasant walk in the woods, rewarded with a panoramic view of the Rhône Valley and the Ain Plain.

A large circular route, very close to Lyon, through fields and forests and across the vast grounds of the Château de Saint-Bonnet. The Visorando app can be useful on certain sections that have been modified from the original route.

The route takes place in a green setting. It passes through small hamlets nestled in valley hollows, crosses mountain passes and goes through woods. The route starts in Vaugneray, passes through the Col de la Luère, descends to Saint-Pierre-la-Palud, a former pyrite mining town. At Sain-Bel, it climbs back up to Sourcieux-les-Mines to cross the Col de la Croix du Ban and return to Vaugneray.

This pleasant hike winds through the woods of the northern Monts du Lyonnais. From Vaugneray, the route climbs to La Maletière, then descends the Vallon du Mercier, rises through the woods to reach the Col de la Luère, where it winds pleasantly along the ridge line, passing through the Col de Croix du Ban and then the Col de Fontrijole before descending to Malatray. It reaches Château du Poirier, crosses the Vallon du Poirier, then the Vallon de Larny, which it climbs to reach a place called La Plaine. It descends to Valency, crosses the Ruisseau du Verdy, and after Pollionnay, the Ruisseau du Mercier. It passes through Grezieux-la Varenne, then descends into the Vallon de la Chaudanne before climbing back up to Vaugneray.

This circular route above Thurins, the raspberry capital, with its many market gardeners, will take you from orchards to shady forests. This route combines well-shaded forest paths, orchards and local farms. There are a few steep climbs and descents, but none are particularly difficult.

Around the Vallon du Garon, between Yzeron and Thurins, a beautiful circular route allows you to alternate between forest trails and fruit orchards, while enjoying the Thurins Dam for a refreshing break (under the trees, as swimming is prohibited) or a picnic.

A hike featuring various sections through woodland, with unobstructed views of the Lyon metropolitan area, and some sections along a small tarmac road (with little traffic).

An easy circular starting from the Grézieu-La-Varenne cemetery, offering views of the valleys, the Monts du Lyonnais and, on a clear day, Lyon and the Alps. Best done in dry weather, as after rain, some sections of the path are waterlogged.

Starting from Rontalon, this circular route takes you up a series of gentle climbs to the Signal de Saint-André and its orientation tables. The return journey follows the Rhône/Loire watershed, taking an old railway line and following the Rontalon botanical trail. This route is a variation of the "Between Saint-André-la-Côte and Rontalon" route.

A beautiful loop through the forests and meadows surrounding the villages of Rontalon and Chaussan. The path sometimes runs along the edge of the valley, offering beautiful views of the Alps, weather permitting!

From Rontalon, this beautiful and pleasant walk, situated in the heart of the Monts du Lyonnais, climbs towards La Croix Forest and Saint-André-la-Côte before descending to the remarkable medieval village of Riverie and its magnificent panorama, then on to Saint-Didier-sous-Riverie and the Missilieu bridge. After fording the La Fondagny stream, it climbs back up to La Fillonnière and Vendessieux before setting off on the long traverse through a beautiful deciduous forest and valleys dotted with the hamlets of L’Adret, La Ferrandière, La Julanière and Les Hautes Garennes, finally returning to its starting point.

For those who like to combine nature, sport and heritage, this pretty route through woods, meadows and orchards allows you to discover some aspects of the heritage of the Monts du Lyonnais while enjoying, when the weather permits, beautiful views of the Alps, the Rhône valley and the Pilat Massif.

This beautiful route offers views of the Alps, including Mont Blanc, and the Cantal. There are orientation tables near Saint-André-la-Côte You can shorten the hike by going directly to the Signal Saint-André without passing through Saint-André-la-Côte.

A circular loop of around two hours on the southern slopes of the Monts du Lyonnais with fairly varied scenery. A bit of a workout on the climb, and the paths are too uneven for a pushchair