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Saint-Genest-Lerpt walks
Saint-Genest-Lerpt circular via Landuzière and Le Chasseur
Visorando Member
6.40 mi
+584 ft
-568 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Lerpt (Loire)
A pleasant short hike in the countryside around Saint-Genest-Lerpt.
Walk in the south-west of Saint-Étienne
4.97 mi
+463 ft
-456 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This urban route is more of a Sunday stroll than a proper hike. There’s plenty of tarmac, certainly, but on quiet roads. It allows you to explore the countryside on the outskirts of the city and enjoy some lovely views over the Saint-Étienne conurbation.
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.
Circular route on the edge of the Pilat Regional Nature Park
8.24 mi
+1,604 ft
-1,578 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
This circular route starts at La Pouratte stadium in Chambon-Feugerolles and takes you to the Cotatay dam, which supplies the town with drinking water, before climbing to overlook the Ondaine valley.
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.
La Bachasse on the edge of the artificial lake at Grangent
2.96 mi
+463 ft
-479 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
An easy, mostly shaded walk with beautiful views of Lake Grangent at the start and the rest in the forest. The route is dotted with informative and entertaining signs about the flora and fauna. The site is currently being restored to a natural forest after being planted with Douglas firs in the last century. Ideal for family walks and/or hot weather.
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.
Loire Gorges and Plateau de la Danse from Saint-Victor sur Loire
5.04 mi
+886 ft
-906 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
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.
Route from the Firminy mine to Roche-la-Molière
7.63 mi
+833 ft
-817 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
A semi-urban route that follows part of the disused railway line connecting the mine shafts of Firminy and Roche-la-Molière. You will pass through two tunnels (bring a torch). Thesecond part takes you up to higher ground and the return journey is via the ridge road connecting Saint-Étienne to Firminy.
Moderator's warning on 15/02/2021: private property issue in (1), see comments at the bottom of the page.
Plat de l'Orme via Bardonnanche
2.68 mi
+259 ft
-243 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from La Tour-en-Jarez (Loire)
Starting from La Tour-en-Jarez, this is a gentle walk along quiet roads and paths, ideal for families.
Between the Malval and the Étang Picard via the Bois du Roi
5.78 mi
+650 ft
-623 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from La Fouillouse (Loire)
A very pleasant walk, featuring several paths along the river and through the woods, offering a complete change of scenery. As you will be walking along many paths through the woodland, there are few tarmac roads or sections. This walk is easy as there is little elevation gain relative to the distance.
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.
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.
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.
Circular route around the Gaffard district in Firminy
3.41 mi
+535 ft
-561 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
A circular loop around the Gaffard neighbourhood, with no difficulty apart from a slightly steep climb in the first section.
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.
From Essalois to Les Camaldules
2.97 mi
+600 ft
-600 ft
1h 55
Moderate
Departure from Chambles (Loire)
This route through the Loire Gorges offers beautiful panoramic views.
Circular starting from Chambles
7.58 mi
+801 ft
-797 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Chambles (Loire)
Circular starting from the village of Chambles with beautiful views of the Loire Gorges, passing by the medieval Essalois Castle, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plain and the Monts du Forez.
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).
Pertuiset Circular - Grangent Dam
14.44 mi
+2,615 ft
-2,638 ft
8h 55
Difficult
Departure from Unieux (Loire)
Located on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, on the border between the Loire and Haute-Loire departments, the Loire Gorges, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve, charms visitors with its peaceful wooded landscapes, remarkable flora and fauna, rocky outcrops, beautiful Lake Grangent, medieval castles and traditional villages.
On the heights of La Talaudière and Sorbiers
5.11 mi
+659 ft
-676 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from La Talaudière (Loire)
A lovely, quick walk that is easily accessible from the centre of La Talaudière. Hilly but not difficult. Beautiful views of the Pilat massif and the heights of Sorbiers. Discover the castle and park of Sorbiers at the end of the walk.
The Loire Gorges from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert
6.44 mi
+607 ft
-610 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert (Loire)
A circular route in Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert that runs along the Loire to the Grangent Dam with breathtaking views of the Loire Gorges.
Stroll along the Canal du Forez
6.25 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert (Loire)
An open-to-the-sky Sunday stroll in the sun Canal du Forez.
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.
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.
Maisonette - the Rivollier via the relay antennae
5.35 mi
+584 ft
-607 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Héand (Loire)
Family-friendly walk in the hills of Saint-Héand among the horses and cows.
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.
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.
Around Saint-Bonnet-Les-Oules
3.58 mi
+440 ft
-440 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Bonnet-les-Oules (Loire)
A walk along wide, easy paths through meadows above Saint-Bonnet-les-Oules.
Dams and forest around Planfoy
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.
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.
Les Trois Ports - Long version