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Planfoy walks
Dams and forest around Planfoy
Visorando Member
8.38 mi
+1,181 ft
-1,201 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Circular hike to the Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams, built under Napoleon III using stone masonry.
Admire the height of the conifers growing in these forests. The nearby Col de la République, also known as Col du Grand Bois, lives up to its name.
The route is mainly through woodland and is not difficult. There is very little tarmac road (only at the start and finish).
Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams from Planfoy
5.98 mi
+781 ft
-781 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Car-free route: depart from Saint-Étienne Bellevue station, accessible by tram from Chateaucreux, and take the L14 regional bus towards Jonzieux. Get off at Planfoy Route du Bourg, paying attention to the timetable, especially on weekdays outside school holidays. It is best to travel in the morning.
The Gouffre d'Enfer
5.45 mi
+568 ft
-564 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A walk at the gateway to the Pilat mountains to discover the Lac du Pas du Riot and two dams built under Napoleon III.
This walk is easy, suitable for families and without difficulty. The hardest part is climbing the 52 steps of the dam.
Gouffre d'Enfer circular, Pas du Riot and other infrastructure
7.25 mi
+1,414 ft
-1,421 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This hike allows you to discover the infrastructure that supplies the city of Saint-Étienne with drinking water.
The hydraulic structures were built mainly to prevent flooding in the mid-19th century during the Second Empire.
A journey between a Canadian atmosphere, with the expanse of water and fir trees of the Riot dam, and the Great Wall of China with the ascents of the Gouffre d'Enfer dam.
Mostly forest trails.
Neyranche Woods Circular Trail
2.21 mi
+230 ft
-226 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
A short, easy circular path, perfect for hot summer’s days as it’s entirely through the forest.
In the Bois Farost
5.47 mi
+541 ft
-558 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
This is an easy, short hike, ideal for hot summer days as it is almost entirely in the woods. It allows you to discover the Bois Farost in the Pilat Regional Nature Park, with its many curiosities.
Le Pas du Riot and Gouffre d'Enfer starting from Rochetaillée
9.52 mi
+1,732 ft
-1,729 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A very beautiful, easy circular alternating between forest paths, magnificent landscapes and breathtaking views of the Château de Rochetaillée, the Roche Corbière (117 m high) and the Pas du Riot (1878) and Gouffre d'Enfer (1866) dams, whose surroundings have been converted into a very pleasant relaxation area for the end of this walk.
Rochetaillé - Dams, Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot
12.05 mi
+1,565 ft
-1,555 ft
6h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
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.
Tour of the Guizay plateau
4.35 mi
+735 ft
-719 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Starting from the Croix du Guizay, this circuit in the Pilat Regional Nature Park offers some of the most beautiful views of Saint-Étienne. The belvedere allows you to take in the city's central street and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire urban area.
The dam route from Tarentaise
9.81 mi
+1,575 ft
-1,562 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Tarentaise (Loire)
This hike will take you to the north face of the Pilat massif and the Mézenc plateau, with beautiful forest crossings. Enjoy the coolness of the two dams visited and climb a rock to admire the rugged landscape of the Gouffre d'Enfer.
Circular route to the south of Saint-Étienne
8.04 mi
+1,316 ft
-1,316 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This easy route takes you up to higher ground, offering magnificent views of Rochetaillée, Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and all the surrounding plains. Peace and quiet on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne. The scents fill the air and the scenery is magnificent.
Tour of the Cotatay dam lake
2.13 mi
+351 ft
-351 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
This is an easy walk on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, with a few short sections of steep inclines or slopes.
Located at the entrance to Pilat Park, the Cotatay dam is one of the dams that supplies water to the towns in the valley.
A pleasant, shaded walk that is refreshing in summer (but swimming is prohibited).
Saint Étienne - the Gouffre d'Enfer - the dams
10.94 mi
+1,322 ft
-1,306 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
An extraordinary route starting from the town, 95% on paths, surprising and so beautiful. No difficulty. Head towards Rochetaillé via a path, then the Gouffre d'Enfer with its via ferrata and climbing walls, and finally the two dams that supply Saint-Etienne with drinking water. 2½ hours at a leisurely pace with two water stops. Returning via the peak (13) completes a circular route, but I recommend coming back via the path you took at the start of the hike, which is more pleasant and well-marked.
Around the woods and the Ondenon dam
4.57 mi
+1,047 ft
-1,047 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Ricamarie (Loire)
This walk starts in the Ondenon valley and climbs twice to 900m, on both sides of the river.
It offers several panoramic views of the Ondaine valley, the city of Saint-Étienne and, in the distance, the Monts du Forez.
Salvaris and the Sapey woods
4.63 mi
+420 ft
-423 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
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.
Circular route in the Pilat: Salvaris - Péalussin
4.13 mi
+1,204 ft
-1,234 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
A short hike in the Pilat, offering beautiful views of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and La Valla-en-Gier.
The viewpoints of Salvaris
6.76 mi
+594 ft
-600 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
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.
Ascent to Guizay from Saint-Étienne
3.19 mi
+771 ft
-771 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This walk, which takes about 1½ hours, starts at the gates of Saint-Étienne and then follows a circular route that includes the remarkable Guizay viewpoint.
Ascent to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam
5.78 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,306 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
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.
The Sapt Dam in Saint-Genest-Malifaux
10.93 mi
+1,001 ft
-1,004 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
An easy hike in the Pilat Natural Park, through beautiful forests of tall trees and along the shores of Lake Sapt in a mid-mountain setting. Ideal in summer as the walk is refreshing. The village of Saint-Genest-Malifaux is located at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and many of the paths are shaded by century-old trees.
Tour of the Sapt dam
4.52 mi
+217 ft
-226 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
A pleasant Sunday walk, very popular and enjoyable in good weather.
The Saint-Étienne Greenway
6.06 mi
+502 ft
-735 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Greenway allows you to travel from Bellevue to La Terrasse (or vice versa) via the hills west of Saint-Étienne. The signage is sometimes non-existent, sometimes misleading, and most often inadequate. These are all reasons for proposing this walk with a detailed description. It is possible to split it in two by stopping at Puits Couriot.
The route/description update of 16 August 2020 takes into account the new route from Bellevue.
More walks in Planfoy
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