Montagnieu (Isère) walks

A short walk alternating between good paths and small roads, except for 300 m on a departmental road. In fine weather, there are stunning views of the Jura, the Chartreuse, Belledonne... and even Mont Blanc.

Walk along small roads and paths with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Mont Blanc.

This walk allows you to discover the castles of Pupetière and Virieu. You first walk along the Bourbre valley on the hillside, then through the forest, passing the Croix du Moine Mort, and finally return to the hill towards Virieu.

A forest where you feel at peace. According to legend, the Vallin forest in the commune of Saint-Victor-de-Cessieu was frequented by druids and Templars who came to enjoy its healing properties. Several places in the forest are said to be full of energy, and there is a special energy in this place that confuses compasses. It is a pretty forest of beech, oak and hazel trees. Part of the forest has been replanted with Douglas firs, cherry trees and red oaks.

A pleasant little walk with some lovely views of the Chartreuse Mountains.

Starting from Saint-André-le-Gaz station, this is an easy hike that winds its way around several ponds in the surrounding area.

A lovely, easy hike.Varied paths, with a little road but no heavy traffic.

A route that takes you through marshes and hillsides to discover the lakes to the east and north of Biol, passing through Torchefelon and skirting Succieu.

Loop on the Vaux ridges (Chabons municipality) with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne mountains and the Hien, Bourbre and Ain valleys in good weather. The circuit mainly follows very wide, pleasant paths, with one section along the edge of the forest. Accessible to all.

A lovely walk with beautiful views of the Jura, the Bauges and Mont du Chat.

This hike will first take you to the heights of the hamlet of Le Molard with beautiful views of the mountains and the surroundings of Rochetoirin. You will then walk through the Tire Gerbe forest before reaching the Étang de Gole lake near Montcarra. There is a picnic area where you can stop for lunch before climbing up the other side to discover Montcarrad and its castle. You will finish by passing near the Reculefort farm, where you can buy refreshments.

This is an easy family hike, accessible to all, in a varied setting where you can discover pheasant aviaries and landscapes near Saint-André-le Gaz.

A lovely loop if you fancy an easy, not too long, shady walk, starting from the Chapelle-de-la-Tour car park, with no special equipment required. You could potentially spot ponies, horses, cattle, etc. We went in May, so we recommend going in the morning for the shade and milder temperatures in summer.

The forest of the former Sylve Bénite Charterhouse offers a varied terrain for walkers in the Lac de Paladru area, with its undulating landscape and several vantage points. The suggested route climbs up the western slope (Virieu) before crossing over to the eastern slope and returning via the ridges. The low altitude means it can be walked in any season, including after a snowfall.

This is a pleasant walk with varied scenery. You will pass Notre-Dame des Vignes in Valencogne, Lake Paladru in Paladru and, on the heights, the charming Chapelle des Trois Croix in the Dauphinois style. There are no difficulties to be expected, apart from the distance. Halfway through the walk, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the mountains.

This is a short walk, best enjoyed on a clear day. It offers exceptional panoramic views stretching from the Monts de l'Ain to the peaks of the eastern Vercors, via the Dent du Chat, Mont Blanc, the Chartreuse, the Belledonne peaks, Taillefer and Dévoluy. There are no particular difficulties along the route.

This route alternates between paths and small roads, winding along the ridges and offering views of the Bourbre valley, the Dauphiné, and the Chartreuse and Vercors mountains.

Seventh stage of the Way of St James. This stage is mainly in open country with little elevation gain. You walk along the hills and copses of the eastern part of the Liers plain. Here and there, you’ll catch glimpses of the surrounding hills and peaks.

A magnificent circular route that follows theGR®65, better known as the Way of St James, on the way there and the paths above Lake Paladru on the way back.

An easy walk around Lake Paladru, allowing you to discover some fascinating Carthusian buildings. The Grange Dimière is a listed building and, higher up, the former Carthusian monastery, which is now privately owned and not open to visitors.

A walk starting from the village of Le Pin, now part of the commune of Villages du Lac de Paladru, passing through the hamlets of La Montagne and Brézin. Country lanes, forest tracks, woods and undergrowth. Views of the Chartreuse and the Vercors in the distance.

A circular route mainly through woods and undergrowth, passing a number of historic and religious buildings: Sylve Bénite (a Carthusian monk), the Croix de Moine Mort and the Croix d’Homnézy. Views of Lake Paladru and Mont Blanc (on a clear day).

A countryside walk starting from Le Pin, a village within the “Villages de Lac de Paladru” municipality. Passing through Les Marais, Chubins and Charpenne. A easy route along wide farm tracks and a few small tarmac roads.

A beautiful walk in the Nord Isère. Your walk, in a hilly environment, takes you through alternating bocage and undergrowth. There are no particular difficulties to be feared on this route (except for an unguarded level crossing to cross...).

A very pleasant walk, with no difficulties. Throughout the route, there are lovely views of the Chartreuse, the Bugey and the Vercors. Not too many tarmac roads, and mostly very pleasant paths.

A lovely, slightly challenging route through fields and woods, taking in three chapels.

A lovely walk in the heart of northern Isère. It offers numerous panoramic views, from the summit of Mont Blanc to the Chartreuse Mountains.

This short family walk offers beautiful panoramic views of the Aravis, Mont Blanc, the Dent du Chat, the Bauges, Belledonne, the Chartreuse and the Vercors.

This is an easy walk that takes you past Dauphiné houses, the ponds of Saint-Didier-de-Bizonnes and the Brosses forest. In the second part of the walk, you will enjoy some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks (even the summit of Mont Blanc).

Family walk along the edge of the woods and through the fields above Lake Paladru.

An easy route accessible to families with children, offering varied landscapes: woods, meadows and villages. Views of the Alps.

A lovely little walk in the Dauphiné countryside. Halfway through, you will climb a little way up into the forest to the Croix du Moine Mort (Dead Monk's Cross), before descending to the charming Notre-Dame de Milin Chapel.

An easy hike around the village of Bilieu with lovely views of Lake Paladru and the surrounding countryside.

After completing the educational route through the peat bogs, we suggest a short walk in the surrounding countryside.

An easy, exotic and family-friendly route to discover the plateau, which offers superb views of the Alps in good weather. Views of the valleys of Saint-Chef and Montcarra.

This walk offers a route starting from Bilieu town hall, taking in the village and La Véronnière (Montferrat). It is not at all difficult and offers a variety of landscapes (views of Lake Paladru as well as some of the Chartreuse massifs: La Grande Sure and Le Grand Som) and terrain (mainly forest paths, a walk through the Marais de la Véronnière, but also, unfortunately, a bit of tarmac).

This walk, which presents no particular difficulties, follows the pedestrian routes that have been successfully developed to facilitate walking around the lake, thereby minimising the elevation gain. In particular, the route takes the Voie Verte and the Chemin du Marais before joining the GR®65, the Geneva Way of St James – Le Puy-en-Velay, on the heights of Paladru and Le Pin. It passes through many pleasant spots where you can stop for a break. Enjoy the various views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, and the tranquillity of the walk, with a very low proportion of shared paths. You can also walk it in the opposite direction for a different perspective.

This route will allow you to discover Lake Paladru in all its glory. A long hike (nearly 22 km) but without any technical difficulty. Best suited to experienced walkers or for tackling over two days. Choose your starting point; the lake circuit can be started from four villages: Charavines, Bilieu, Le Pin or Paladru. This large “Blue Lake”, exceptional for the beauty of its surroundings and its crystal-clear waters, was shaped by the mighty Rhône Glacier during the Ice Age. Situated at an altitude of 500 metres, nestled amongst wooded and agricultural hills, it is the fifth-largest natural lake in France. Its shores were home to one of the first human communities in Isère, dating back to 2700 BC (the Neolithic village of Les Baigneurs). Several sites are designated as “protected natural areas”.

A day's walk, quite lovely and varied. You start by going through the Grand Platon Forest, then going along the south-east bank of the lake with beautiful views over the lake. You change banks and go along the Feydelière and Véronnière marshes ('Marais' - protected sites). The return is via the north-west bank of the lake with beautiful views over Chartreuse and, if the weather is clear, Mont Blanc.

It was a pleasant walk, mostly through the woods, looking for chestnuts in season. However, the return journey involved a fairly long stretch of tarmac road.

The circular takes you around Lake Paladru via the greenway from Charavines.