Panissières walks

An easy hike offering beautiful panoramic views of the Monts du Lyonnais. The route alternates between woodland, hamlets and farmland.

A sheltered walk with a few views of the Monts du Lyonnais and a chance to discover the Matagrin Tower at the top of the highest peak in the Monts du Lyonnais. An ideal walk in hot weather as it is at altitude and mostly in the woods.

Violay is a town with over 1,200 inhabitants and many shops! In the first part of the hike, you will pass by the Matagrin Tower (which you can visit). You will then follow theGR®7to Violay, before returning by another route. Most of the route is through the woods.

A circular that starts in Jas and takes us through forests and countryside to the small village of Salt-en-Donzy.

Short hike in the Montagnes du Matin offering a 180° view of the Monts du Forez and following part of the old monorail track linking Panissières to Feurs.

A beautiful circular route with panoramic views of the Monts du Forez. No particular technical difficulty. You can start from any of the three villages. The route is described from St-Clément les Places.

A short, half-day family hike in the Monts du Lyonnais. Can be started from Haute-Rivoire, but the car park is a little way from the route. TheGR®89, Chemin de Montaigne, is marked in white and red.

A trip to the heights of Ronzière in Saint-Forgeux offers a beautiful view of the valley.

This circular route, which starts in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, follows an old railway line through countryside and forest, finally crossing the vertiginous Pont Marteau bridge, which is 320 m long and 50 m high. This route follows the signs for "Sur les traces du tacot" (In the footsteps of the old train) and, in the forest, the yellow and red markings ofthe GRP® "Terre de tisseurs en forêt" (Land of weavers in the forest).

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.

Starting from Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges, this route runs along the ridges surrounding this small village in the Montagnes du Matin. The first ridge is open. The second part, on theGR®7, is in the forest. Located halfway along the route, the Lac de Saint-Cyr, which is more of a pond, is ideal for a break in the shade. The return journey offers beautiful unobstructed views of the plain and the Monts du Forez.

A very beautiful hike starting from the car park at the bar in Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges. You will travel through the Saint-Cyr and Violay countryside, passing by the Échanssieux dam and then Violay, returning via Les Crêtes (GR®7) where you will enjoy two magnificent landscapes: on your right, the Monts du Lyonnais (and, on a clear day, the Alps and Mont Blanc); on your left, the Monts du Forez, Auvergne and Cantal.

This circular route of almost 5 km allows you to discover the heights of Saint-Marcel-l'Éclairé and enjoy the view over the entire valley. The paths at the edge of the forest are very pleasant.

A magnificent hike around the countryside of Machézal and Amplepuis. The views of the Roanne and Haut-Beaujolais regions are breathtaking.

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!

A circular route starting from Ancy, marked with crosses, rolling hills and views of the Beaujolais and Lyonnais mountains, alternating between balcony paths and shaded forest trails. Some tarmac sections, visit to a cheese producer. Picnic area available in a peaceful spot. Option to climb to the summit of Mont Popey at the end of the route.

The region has prehistoric and ancient remains, particularly from the Gallo-Roman period. Two temples are said to have existed, one on the Arjoux mountain and the other, dedicated to Jupiter, near the Mas Saint-Jean. Silver mines were worked nearby in the 15th century.

Starting from L'Argentière (in the commune of Aveize), this short 2- to 3-hour circular will delight the whole family with its varied landscapes and the last third of the route, which follows a fun botanical trail. The places mentioned "in quotation marks" in the description are marked with corresponding signs on the ground put in place by the Rhône department.

This route in Maringes offers beautiful views of the Forez plain, the Bois Noirs, the Pilat and numerous villages (25 bell towers on a clear day). The route also offers 180° views of the village of Maringes and a beautiful panorama of the Brévenne valley. The route passes by a chapel built in the 17th century in honour of Saint-Roch for having stopped the diphtheria epidemic.

This circuit with pleasant trails allows us to admire views of Amplepuis and its surroundings, the Château de Rochefort and splendid views of the Monts du Lyonnais, Tarare and its surroundings. Not to be missed. Following work to install wind turbines, the French Hiking Federation has significantly modified the route at point (8) to divert theGR®7. I have redrawn the route as indicated by the FFR, so please follow this modification to complete the circuit.

A pleasant 11km circular between Bellegarde-en-Forez and Saint-André-le-Puy. Pass by the "délices foréziens" and return via the new Voie Verte, which connects the two villages. A peaceful walk with very little traffic on busy roads.

This pleasant circular walk in the Brévenne valley takes you through woods and meadows in a little-visited and rather secret area offering beautiful views of the Massif Central and the Monts du Lyonnais. From the hilltop village of Aveize, the route descends to the bottom of the valley and, after meandering along the opposite slope, passes through the charming little village of Meys before crossing the Brévenne and climbing back up to Grézieu-le-Marché and Aveize.

The route goes around the Gimond dam in a peaceful setting, surrounded by fishermen, then after a detour to the church of Grézieu-le-Marché, it ends the circular route at the Bois de la Dame.

A route starting from the Gimond dam to Aveize, via L'Argentière. This route crosses the Monts du Lyonnais with a short section in the woods, near the Aveize discovery trail.