Short circular loop around the Eydoche ponds

Before reaching Eydoche via Longechenal, following the road that passes in front of Longechenal cemetery, turn right at the first small junction lined with a few houses (Petit Molard). Carry on straight ahead along this road until you reach a walk start point marked by yellow signs (Le Souillet – 525 m). Park along the side of the track.

(S/E) Turn left towards Saint-Didier-de-Bizonnes, onto the clear dirt track, and ignore the road branching off to your right. Continue until you reach the first pond on your left, the Étang des Ragées: yellow signs point to “les étangs, 530 m”.

(1) Turn right. A little further on, ignore a path on your left, head down a short slope to the right and walk along the right-hand side of the Étang du Vivier. You’ll come out onto a small green space beside the pond where you can sit for a while on some large boulders, after a short climb where you’ll pass a path branching off to your right.

(2) Then walk along the Étang de la Blanche, keeping to the right – it is almost dry at the moment (September 2026) and surrounded by clear-cut areas. Continue along the path, passing a large meadow on your right where horses are grazing, marked by a gate with a ‘Private Property’ sign. Carry on like this until you reach a small tarmac road: a little further on, you can see another pond, the Étang Deronzier.

(3) At this point, ignore the yellow signs – you should not follow them – and take this tarmac road on the right. Follow this road through meadows where cows are grazing peacefully. A beautiful panorama unfolds before you, with lovely views of the mountains. Continue along this road until you come to a fairly wide dirt track branching off to the right. Almost directly opposite is another dirt track, which you should not take.

(4) Follow this dirt track to the right and enter the woodland. Pass a track branching off to the right next to a cow pasture with a large drinking trough, then a viewing point on the left next to a track branching off to the left. Carry on straight ahead until you reach a junction of five forest tracks.

(5) Turn onto the second path on the left, continue straight on towards the south, through a dark pine forest exuding its gentle woody scents. You’ll reach the edge of the woodland.

(6) Then turn right and carry on straight ahead until you reach your starting point (S/E).

Sturdy footwear is recommended, as is a hat for open areas