Ascent to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam

This walk from Saint-Étienne will take you to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam. It offers several panoramic views, including the Ondaine valley, Saint-Étienne and the Forez plain.

Details

34681449
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 404 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 398 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 910 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 632 m

Description of the walk

Park at No. 4 Rue Courteline. There are three parking spaces on one side of the road.

(S/E) Take the street that goes up alongside the large stone building (follow the sign indicating a dead end). Continue to a sharp right-hand bend.

(1) Turn right towards the house and immediately turn left onto the road going uphill. You will reach the road.

(2) Turn right for about ten metres and take the small path on the left of the road. Head towards the foot of the dam.

(3) Turn left onto the road and immediately turn right onto the path through the woods. The path is blocked to vehicles by a barrier. Pass through on the right-hand side of the barrier. You will arrive at the dam.

(4) Turn right onto a small path that climbs into the forest. Pass the first path on the right and continue to a fork in the path.

(5) Turn right, then continue straight ahead, south-east, at the next forks. Leave the woods and, after about 300 m, turn right to reach the farm.

(6) Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach an X-shaped crossroads.

(7) Turn left onto a small path towards Le Guizay.

(8) Cross the stream and continue along the path that climbs towards Le Guizay. Continue along the small village road until you reach the crossroads (antenna). Leave the road and take the path opposite, which leads to the Belvédère du Guizay. From here, you can enjoy a view of Saint-Étienne. Pass the antenna.

(9) Turn right to go down into the field (take the right-hand side of the field). At the bottom of the field, take the small path to reach the road. Take the road on the right for 300 metres before turning right onto a path that goes downhill. Cross another field to return to Saint-Étienne.

(10) At the gardens, take the path running alongside them on the left. At the end of the path, go into the field and turn right to walk alongside the gardens again. Take the path at the end of the gardens and follow it to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 633 m - Parking at 4 Rue Courteline
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 644 m - House with dogs. Crossroads of the circular route
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 728 m - Route du Guizay, right/left
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 642 m - Bottom of - Barrage de l'Ondenon
  5. 4 : km 2.17 - alt. 680 m - Top of - Barrage de l'Ondenon
  6. 5 : km 2.77 - alt. 793 m - Fork in the road, to the right
  7. 6 : km 4.05 - alt. 893 m - Farm
  8. 7 : km 4.65 - alt. 904 m - Intersection at the exit of the hamlet
  9. 8 : km 5.38 - alt. 813 m - Stream
  10. 9 : km 7.12 - alt. 852 m - Guizay antenna
  11. 10 : km 8.39 - alt. 672 m - Gardens
  12. S/E : km 9.31 - alt. 632 m - Parking at 4 Rue Courteline

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 6825086
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

Have a nice day

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User 6825086
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

A very beautiful hike in the
Hauteurs de Saint-Étienne with a magnificent view of the entire city

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anne ubrig
anne ubrig

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike – stunning views over the city of St Etienne

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abouamine42
abouamine42
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a magnificent view of Saint-Étienne.
BE CAREFUL⚠️ not to get "absorbed by the marked trails", especially at the dam, where you need to turn right just before it.

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42jpm
42jpm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The guidance provided by the app was very helpful; otherwise, we would have been lost.

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jacquelineR
jacquelineR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, mostly through woods, leading to a spectacular view of the town.

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