Saint-Marcellin-en-Forez – the railway line

A family walk along the old Estivarelle railway line, a path known as “L’aventure du Rail”, maintained by the regional council.

Details

200542
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 99 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 99 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 490 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 391 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access – At the end of the dual carriageway, at the entrance to Saint-Marcellin, take the industrial estate exit. Go under the dual carriageway and park along the road leading up to the Canal du Forez. Several parking spaces available.

(S/E) From the canal, cross the old railway bridge and follow the old railway line towards Saint-Marcellin (south-south-west). Reach the Plantées area, at the entrance to Saint-Marcellin.

(1) Cross the road and continue straight ahead, following the signs for “L’aventure du rail”.

(2) You will reach the old Saint-Marcellin station (a clearing with benches). Continue straight on (south) until you reach the pond.

(3) Continue straight ahead, cross the first road and join a second road.

(4) Cross the road and continue straight ahead on the "L'aventure du rail" path. You will reach a crossroads.

(5) Turn right, take path no. 2 marked in yellow and leave “L’aventure du rail”. Walk up to the Yellow Cross located on the road at the entrance to Grézieux.

(6) Take the road on the right, and at the next junction, turn right again. At the fork on the outskirts of Grézieux, turn left and head down to La Bergerie.

(4) Turn left and rejoin the "L'aventure du rail" path to return via the same route to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 391 m - Parking, path to the - Canal du Forez
  2. 1 : km 1.5 - alt. 414 m - Les Plantées
  3. 2 : km 1.69 - alt. 414 m - Former Saint Marcellin station
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 415 m - Pond junction
  5. 4 : km 2.86 - alt. 426 m - La Bergerie
  6. 5 : km 4.63 - alt. 477 m - At the junction, take path no. 2 on the right
  7. 6 : km 4.97 - alt. 490 m - Cross and view
  8. S/E : km 9.13 - alt. 391 m - Chemin du canal du Forez, car park

Notes

The path along the old railway line is closed to all motor vehicles and blocked at intersections by wooden barriers.
You can take a break by the pond near point (3).
Benches and bins on the esplanade of the old station (2) and the wall paying tribute to Charlie.
Please be aware that between (2) and (3) there are processionary caterpillars.

Worth a visit

(3) Walk around the pond with a bench along the path marked in yellow.
(6) Just before Grézieux, a beautiful view of the Forez mountains and plain, with the priory of Saint-Romain-le-Puy in the foreground.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
delph634
delph634

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with clear and precise directions.
I went for a walk with my dog; the area was perfect, apart from a short stretch on the road, but the path is brilliant. Lovely scenery.

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vernay pascal
vernay pascal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

You need to make your way up to the information desk

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christel 1842
christel 1842

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did it with some friends; they got it wrong the first time, and we had problems again this time – we had to ask for directions... and as for access to the car park at the start, we weren’t quite sure where to park if we followed the GPS coordinates... it seems we weren’t the only ones who couldn’t find the marked starting point, so we just made do... We never saw the viewpoint over St Romain le Puy... the directions need reviewing as they’re not great. Best regards

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Martine422
Martine422

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

There were several junctions on the way there (cycle path), so I ended up going too far, thinking that wasn't where I was supposed to turn... I ended up further away than I'd planned...

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ninegeo
ninegeo

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I couldn’t find the starting point, even though I live nearby. I think the route guide is a bit out of date. It mentions the end of the expressway, but that’s been extended by 15 km!
I suggest starting (and finishing) at number 1, that is, in front of the old St Marcellin station. This shortens the length of the route.

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CHRISTAUX
CHRISTAUX

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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vbayon
vbayon
• Edited:

I couldn't find the starting point or the famous parking spaces

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marcellemarcelle
marcellemarcelle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

We were disappointed because we thought it was a shame not to start from Saint Marcellin-en-Forez, where the walk really becomes pleasant. Kind regards

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hblundi42
hblundi42

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hello,

I tried out this route today with four other people from my walking group.
We were already familiar with the area and had previously walked parts of the route
The route was fine, though we did have a few moments of uncertainty, as the names marked on the map aren’t always visible on the ground.
Hesitation at point 4 as we weren’t sure we were at La Bergerie; the name wasn’t visible on the ground
and at number 6: ‘at the fork on the way out of Grézieux, turn left’ – which fork? And for me, it wasn’t to the left but straight ahead

Otherwise, a very accessible route with little elevation gain on very easy paths, given that it’s a former railway line

Kind regards

Hélène BEGONIN

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