Napt - The Félicien Trail

A lovely educational trail for families with two viewpoints overlooking the Ain valley.

Details

445383
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 167 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 158 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 692 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 544 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park between the Napt marsh and the village of Napt.

(S/E) Here you will find a sign describing the route, called the Félicien trail.
Set off along the road leading to Napt and take the first dirt track on your right. At the first fork, keep to the right.

(1) Walk down through the dry orchid lawn and follow the path on the left to a viewpoint from which you can admire the Ain valley.

(2) From the viewpoint, retrace your steps and continue along the path on the right until you reach a wider track.

(3) Turn right onto this wide path, then after about 100 metres, leave it and take a path that climbs up to the left. Along this path, you can discover different species of trees thanks to explanatory panels. Continue climbing until you reach the Chapelle des Chasseurs.

(4) At the Chapelle des Chasseurs, stop at the viewpoint and then descend the path on the left. Continue along the tarmac road to Napt.

(5) At the entrance, turn right and cross the village.

(6) Leave Rue Sur l'étang at the road leading to the church. Take a path on the right and climb up into the forest, where you will find information panels about conifers. Descend via a wide path to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 657 m - Starting point car park for the Félicien trail
  2. 1 : km 1.38 - alt. 596 m - Combe de Valière
  3. 2 : km 2.05 - alt. 556 m - Stone drinking trough
  4. 3 : km 2.6 - alt. 631 m - Intersection with a wide path
  5. 4 : km 3.14 - alt. 653 m - Chapelle des Chasseurs
  6. 5 : km 3.95 - alt. 648 m - Entrance to Napt
  7. 6 : km 4.39 - alt. 660 m - Rue sur l'Étang
  8. S/E : km 5.13 - alt. 657 m - Car park at the start of the Félicien trail

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Amélie01
Amélie01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route with lovely views, easily accessible even with children, with benches and information tables along the way. Allow 1½ hours for a brisk walk

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chrisber01
chrisber01

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had some difficulty between the orchids and the viewpoint. There were few signs, and one was poorly positioned and hidden by vegetation. Beautiful view from the viewpoint. It took us longer than indicated to complete the entire circuit.

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Virginie240
Virginie240

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful view from the lookout point. A peaceful moment of rest at the hunters' chapel. The final climb to the car park was a little more difficult, as it's quite steep coming out of Napt.

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HNS 25220
HNS 25220

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike with beautiful views. The site of Notre Dame de l'Étoile is particularly suitable for a stop to eat your packed lunch. The signposting is very clear.

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Tatiana07
Tatiana07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant in the heart of nature. Worth repeating

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FH04
FH04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a lovely walk to do with the family. Beautiful views of the River Ain. I'm going to do it again this summer when everything is in leaf. It should be great too.

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JP Bourjon
JP Bourjon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, well-marked short hike. From the viewpoint, there is a lovely view of the Ain, the villages of Bonbois and Corveissiat. From the chapel, there is a view of the Cize viaduct. Not to mention the crossing of Napt.

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lubert
lubert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in July with children aged 5 and 8.
Very well marked. Most of the route is tree-lined, which is nice. The length and elevation gain were just right. Lovely view from the lookout point.
The circular is nice. However, we were very annoyed for much of the walk by the numerous moth caterpillars and especially by all the threads across the path.

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bujam72
bujam72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk. A short section on tarmac reminds us that it is warm at this time of year

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pikato
pikato

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

On Viso rando: No. 1 is poorly positioned on the map, making it difficult to read and assess distances. Important landmarks are missing, especially in the first section. At No. 6, there is an important note to bear in mind: be careful not to take the path that leads down to the wash house.
Fortunately, the local signage is well done.
The walk was much longer than expected... otherwise, the walk is magnificent with beautiful panoramic views.

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jpkorczak
jpkorczak

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice route but lacks views

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Bobby Socks
Bobby Socks

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Travelled in the opposite direction, so encountered some difficulties in places...
Nice route with a beautiful view from the lookout point.
The route is mainly through the woods, with very few clear views, which is a shame

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did&nath
did&nath

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To start, take the road that descends behind you when facing the sign.
Then everything is signposted
Thank you

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jmae
jmae

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely springtime walk surrounded by flowers. The meadow was dotted with wild orchids, among other flowers. Beautiful views from the first lookout point.
This short, informative hike is easy going thanks to the numerous educational signs.

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Sperrier
Sperrier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Superb hike, not difficult and enjoyable with children. The problem this season was the box tree moth, which destroyed all the box trees and ruined our walk with its caterpillars hanging from all the trees, falling on us and leaving "spider-like threads" everywhere. Such a shame!

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