Montrond-les-Bains walks

An open-to-the-sky Sunday stroll in the sun Canal du Forez.

Family-friendly walk in the hills of Saint-Héand among the horses and cows.

Beautiful route along the ridges around the village of Fontanès. Free parking in the castle grounds.

A walk through Forez on waymarked trails.

A circuit primarily on small paved and sunny roads.

This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.

Marols and Montarcher are two villages in the south of the Forez region, classified as "Villages and Towns of Character" by the Loire Departmental Council. Both have well-preserved medieval architecture, particularly their fortified churches. Montarcher is a small village perched on a promontory and offers a magnificent panoramic view from Mont Blanc to Mont Mézenc. The hike is mainly through forest and partly follows the "Chemin des Brigands" (Brigands' Trail).

This beautiful circular route from Duerne takes you along well-marked paths and tracks, often shaded, to discover the varied landscapes of this little-known part of the Monts du Lyonnais. A small stele by the side of the road commemorates the sacrifice of the American pilots who crashed there in 1944. At the end of the route, before heading back up towards Duerne, you can discover the astonishing remains of the Roman Aqueduct on the Brévenne.

This hike takes you along sunken paths in the heart of the forest, old paved trails and tracks across meadows, culminating in a view of Montarcher standing on its rocky spur. Magnificent crosses dot this circuit.

Ce circuit parcours la campagne de Saint-Julien-d'Oddes au milieu d'une végétation luxuriante. La Rivière l'Aix nous accompagne jusqu'à la centrale hydroélectrique de Chizonnet.

I recommend this hike when nature is waking up in mid-April, to enjoy the green meadows and bright yellow dandelions. There are unobstructed views over much of the route. The ridge offers beautiful views of the Loire and Rhône departments. Picnics by the pond are very enjoyable and peaceful. The return trail near the river (Turdine) is very wild and quiet.

Beautiful 360° view at Mont Popey on the northern edge of the Monts du Lyonnais with, as a bonus in good weather, a breathtaking view to the east of the Monts d'Or, the Alps and Mont Blanc. Interesting ridge trail in the forest or open countryside, well marked with beautiful views. A paragliding launch site where, in good weather, you can enjoy the spectacular views! The climb up Mont Popey and the descent to Mas Saint-Jean are a little steep, but take your time!

The Gouffre d'Enfer dam is one of the most famous sites in the Rhône-Alpes region and a popular walk in the Saint-Étienne area. It was built in 1860 in the Furan valley, near Rochetaillé, and completed 17 years later by the Pas du Riot dam. We then continue along the dam trail to the Pont de Souvignet. The return journey takes us via Les Palais, Les Sagnes and La Croix de Givet before joining theGR®42to arrive at Le Plateau and Rochetaillé.

An easy, shaded route with few hills, surrounded by pine trees, with beautiful views of the Gier valley, Saint-Chamond, Pilat and the Furan valley, Guizay and Saint-Etienne. Viewpoints and rest areas are provided along the route.

A pleasant walk for summer days, as it is almost entirely in the shade. A spectacular finale with a unique and magnificent view of the city of Saint-Étienne.

A beautiful walk in the Monts du Lyonnais, from Saint-Romain-de-Popey to Saint-Forgeux. Beautiful views of the Turdine and Azergues valleys.

A lovely route through fields, cherry orchards and forests, offering beautiful views of Saint-Romain-de-Popey, the village of Bully and its vineyards, Pontcharra-sur-Turdine and, in the distance, Mont Verdun in the Monts d'Or massif.