Montgay on the heights of Vernioz

A short, unpretentious and easy walk to explore the countryside and woodlands along stony paths. Lovely views of the Alps and the Pilat Massif.

Details

30589572
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 161 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 164 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 391 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 284 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Reach the starting point by walking through the village of Saint-Mamert. As you leave the village, there is a small wood with some pylons on the right, followed by a large field. Park at the end of the large field, where the dirt track on the right begins. Take care not to obstruct traffic, even on the dirt track, which is suitable for vehicles.

(S/E) Walk along this track towards Petit Cour and you will soon reach the edge of a woodland.

(1) Turn left to enter the woodland and head down to the stream, which has been channelled to allow vehicles to pass.

(2) Head back up, following the track through the forest to the highest point of the walk at the junction with a wider path.

(3) Turn right onto this path and continue along a small tarmac road. Continue downhill to reach the Montgay farm.

(4) Opposite the farm shop, take the small road on the right which leads to a house and turns into a dirt track. Descend again to the stream.

(5) Cross it at the ford without difficulty (unless the water is high). Head straight up the stony path, crossing the access road to the La Vache house. Join theGR®422.

(6) Turn right onto it and follow the red and white markings. Cross a wood and reach its edge.

:7:: Continue along the edge of the fields, then join a wider track and follow it to the right for a few dozen metres. Continue straight ahead, leaving theGR®, to quickly reach the initial crossroads passed on the way out.

(1) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 389 m - Parking along the way
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 391 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.32 - alt. 329 m - Stream
  4. 3 : km 1.96 - alt. 391 m - Wider path at the highest point
  5. 4 : km 2.93 - alt. 345 m - Montgay Farm
  6. 5 : km 3.55 - alt. 284 m - Stream
  7. 6 : km 4.06 - alt. 356 m - GR
  8. 7 : km 5.37 - alt. 362 m - Edge of the woods
  9. S/E : km 6.53 - alt. 389 m - Parking along the way

Worth a visit

(2) At the top of the hike, the view of the Alps is magnificent if they are still snow-capped. If you turn around, you can see Mont Pilat.
(3) The Montgay farm has a small shop selling its dairy products. Try the tomme daubée – it’s perfect. For those who aren’t familiar with it, it’s an Isère variant of ‘cervelle de canut’ made from fromage blanc.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 28631043

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It was good, a bit muddy, and 80% reliable.

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chetemie38
chetemie38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but too much tarmac for my liking

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ChristianeG
ChristianeG
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk offering beautiful views; the group really enjoyed it.

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kube
kube

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A short walk I did at the end of January; the path was slippery up to point 2, but then you’re treated to a superb view of the Alps. Thanks for this lovely route!
Took about 1 hour 45 minutes; I highly recommend it!

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FRIGOUDY
FRIGOUDY

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk in the blazing sun, with not much shade unfortunately... I hardly saw anyone. About 1 hour 45 minutes

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A rolling walk through woods and meadows, crossing the Bouzançon stream at a ford, with panoramic views throughout of the Pilat Massif, the Alps and part of the river from a clearing.
Thank you to the author for this lovely countryside route, which we followed on from the Bois Marquis garden.

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