Saint-Hippolyte via the Gorges de la Fusa

Explore Saint-Hippolyte by following the Ruisseau de Vaud through the Gorges de la Fusa, whilst discovering Fontaine Martine and the Resistance’s clandestine printing press.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 81 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 293 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 216 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in the car park of the Crémieu village hall. If there are no spaces available, there is a larger car park a little further on, on Rue Paul Garcin, heading down towards the wash house.

(S/E) Start on Rue Paul Garcin, following the Ruisseau de Vaud; here you’ll see the magnificent Crémieu wash house. Continuing along the street, head towards the Faubourg des Moulins to reach the greenway.

(1) At the junction of Chemin de Blied and the old railway bridge of the Eastern Line, you will find
the access to the greenway and enter the Gorges de la Fusa. Continue straight on until you reach the junction with the D517.

(2) Cross the road carefully and turn left onto the Chemin du Sigalet (a small road). Follow this road to the end, which is slightly uphill. At the end of the road, you’ll reach the Chemin de Tortu

(:3) Continue along this path until you cross the road to reach the D140. You can admire the Fontaine Martine.

(4) Continue along the Chemin Martine, then turn left onto the Chemin des Remparts. Pass the ruins of the Resistance’s clandestine printing press and continue on your way to reach the ramparts of Saint-Hippolyte.

(5) Once in Saint-Hippolyte, you no longer need to follow my route; take a stroll to admire all these beautiful stone buildings. The route ends at the orientation table.

(6) Once you’ve had a good look at the view and Saint-Hippolyte, continue up Montée Saint-Hippolyte, then start the descent, which is a bit steep and slippery (caution advised for older people) or for those who aren’t properly equipped. Turn into Rue Vie Vieille, cross Place de la Polype, then Cours Baron Ravenat to return to the village hall car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 218 m - Car park at the village hall
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 226 m - Start of the greenway
  3. 2 : km 2.05 - alt. 251 m - D517 junction
  4. 3 : km 3.16 - alt. 284 m - Chemin du Tortu
  5. 4 : km 3.98 - alt. 282 m - Chemin de la Fontaine Martine
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 293 m - Saint-Hippolyte
  7. 6 : km 4.77 - alt. 275 m - Panoramic viewing point
  8. S/E : km 5.31 - alt. 218 m - Car park at the village hall

Notes

This is a walk with a gradual climb. No special equipment is required. Around 80% of the route is in the shade. There are no drinking water points.

Worth a visit

Along this walk, you need to keep your eyes peeled to spot the subtle details. You can stop for a nice meal or a break in Saint-Hippolyte, where there are plenty of quiet, shaded spots.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
DROUSSELET
DROUSSELET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route, completed with children aged 7 and 11. It's a shame that the outward journey runs alongside the road, otherwise arriving at the castle ruins would be a real reward for this enjoyable walk.

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olivierBJ
olivierBJ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, even though you follow the main road at the start; after that, you walk along the greenway, beside the stream.
The most pleasant and peaceful part is the climb and the arrival in St Hyppolite.

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Mathildae
Mathildae

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and pleasant walk overall.
The first section through the gorges runs close to a road with heavy traffic and noise.
I wasn’t familiar with the St Hippolyte ramparts and I really enjoyed them; brilliant view of Crémieu.

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SiobanS
SiobanS
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A rather uninspiring walk, apart from Saint-Hippolyte Hill, though this can be explored without doing the rest of the route (or by doing the ‘Stroll through the medieval town of Crémieu’ route, also available on Visorando). As for the gorges, the river has very little water and is only visible for a brief stretch of the route. The rest of the route is mainly tarmac.

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tit'jo
tit'jo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but do make sure you leave the path at Le Merle and follow the road for a short while to reach the Chemin du Signalet.

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