Sonthonnax-la-Montagne walks

Between the valleys of the Ain and the Oignin, I invite you to walk in the footsteps of the Resistance fighters on an easy route, taking you first to the Chougeat plateau and then to that of Sonthonnax-la-Montagne.

The route follows the course of the Oignin river on the edge of the Gorges de l'Enfer, then goes around the Lac de l'Oignin, all with some pretty nice scenery!

Je vous propose un petit parcours permettant de rejoindre Heyriat à partir de Granges situé pas très loin des bords de l'Ain.

This easy route takes you to the small Grottes de l'Ours, before heading to its impressive viewpoint over the Ain plain, perched on the edge of a cliff 400 m above the River Ain. The route then continues through stunning forests and villages to the Pisse Vache Waterfall, which you can admire from upstream, downstream, from the front and from behind. The return to Granges follows the banks of the Ain.

An alternative route from Granges to Heyriat, descending to Bonbois. This path is in better condition than the descent near the chapel. This route takes a short detour to the Pisse-Vache waterfall, which is featured in guidebooks. It is interesting during rainy periods but only a trickle of water when the previous weeks have been dry. Return via the village of Bonbois and along the River Ain.

A magnificent hike with panoramic views of the Ain and the Jura plateaus, caves and waterfalls.

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

Starting from Corveissiat, a circular route takes you to the Chartreuse de Sélignac, passing by some beautiful viewpoints along the way.

A pleasant, easy circular walk, mainly through woodland. The charming church of Saint-Maurice-d'Échazeaux (or des Chasaux), which overlooks the confluence of the Valouse and Ain rivers, and the ruins of Montdidier Castle are worth exploring.

From Matefelon-Granges, I suggest you take a 11 km circular trail through the Ain Valley, then the Oignin Valley. Along the way, you will enjoy views of Thoire, the Château de Coiselet (private), the Saut de l'Oignin waterfall and its potholes, and finally the lake upstream.

A beautiful view of the Chartreuse de Sélignac from the cliff overlooking it. A charming route along the surrounding wall by the river. Very passable paths. However, in wet weather, the route along the walls can be a little soggy. No problem in dry weather. A picturesque circular route.

A short walk around the Chartreuse de Sélignac, with some lovely views.

A variation on the classic Mont Balvay hike, with a detour via Vers. This route offers a different perspective with a route across the plateau from Vers. The climb up to Vers through the woods is pleasant, well marked and picturesque. The descent to Napt is also very enjoyable.

This is a circular route from Bolozon, passing through pretty villages (Balvay, Solomiat and Napt) and overlooking the Gorges de l'Ain. This is a "classic" route (often suggested in the opposite direction) that does not present any major difficulties.

A family-friendly forest walk along the Landeyron with its potholes, waterfall and fording point. Please note: in winter and after heavy rain, the ford is likely to be impassable: you will need to turn back.

After an initial wooded section, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Ain river valley from the top of the Jarbonnet rocks. The river winds its way through the valley below. The summit is not very popular and is mainly known to climbers who enjoy the routes offered by the cliff.

A pleasant walk through the countryside, passing through hamlets and woodland, where you can admire the varied scenery.

A lovely walk with beautiful views. The walk is far from monotonous, with varied terrain (grass, earth, stones, tarmac). Take the time to admire the scenery and the various hamlets.

Third stage of the Way of St James. A pleasant stage with some elevation gain, shaded sections and stretches on tarmac and dirt tracks.

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery at the Col des Justices and the view of Rosy Castle. A pleasant hike despite its difficulty in certain sections.

Descending from the nearby Jura mountains, the Suran has a peaceful valley where water flows abundantly. It has a very active underground course between Chavannes and downstream from Meyriat. The Suran can disappear for much of the year. This route, which runs alongside much of this watercourse, starts on a quiet tarmac road and then, from the hamlet of Corcelles, continues on unpaved paths or through the woods. The route is marked in yellow.

Circular route around the Oignin between the Coiselet and Charmine dams, offering beautiful views of the Charmine and Oignin waterfalls, and of Coiselet Castle.

A long hike that takes you around the Revermont region, passing through various small villages, scenic viewpoints and the Abbey of Sélignac. Two crossings of the Suran river over large stones. Some paths are overgrown; see reviews

This hike begins with a steep climb, rewarded by numerous panoramic views of Lake Coiselet. It continues along a pleasant ridge with beautiful views and ends with a visit to the ruins of the medieval castle of Oliferne, which offers a 360° view, before descending back to the starting point.

Hike on the heights overlooking Lake Nantua with beautiful views of the lake. The areas sheltered under the trees provide respite from the summer sun. The hike can be rounded off with a refreshing dip in the lake. Some sections are a little technical.

A panoramic walk overlooking the town of Nantua and its famous lake, in an exceptional environment that alternates between countryside and coniferous forest. The mountainous route retains a good sporting aspect.

Un parcours un peu difficile en raison de sa longueur, sinon les chemins et sentiers sont très praticables, pas de difficulté technique. De beaux points de vue sur l'Ain du haut des falaises dans la première partie.

Hike with panoramic views of Lake Nantua and the cliffs in the first part, then descend along the Landéron, which you will cross twice.

Second stage of the Way of St James. A route offering beautiful views of Lake Coiselet and Lake Conflans, taking us through a few small hamlets and across woodland.

The proposed route aims to take you on a journey across the Chamoise Plateau, starting from Nantua. This is an alternative to another route featured on the website: La Roche d’Au-Delà, the link for which is provided below. Whilst the climb up to the Monts d’Ain is a bit of a challenge at times, the rest of the hike is generally gentler.

A beautiful, moderately difficult hike with panoramic views overlooking Lake Nantua and the Autoroute des Titans. At the summit, weather permitting, you can see Mont Blanc.

Short loop passing through the Hautecourt Cave Nature Reserve. Hike with no technical difficulty, alternating between woodland and open spaces. The climb up to the Mont Rosset plateau is a little steep, watch out for cows, but you'll be rewarded at the end. Please note that the cave itself is not open to visitors, even though it was France's first underground nature reserve in 1980. Don't be disappointed, though, as there are a dozen information panels on the surface explaining the cave's biodiversity and its exploration in the past. For those interested, there is a 3D tour on the LPO Aura website.

I suggest a lovely circular route in the Revermont area, which ends at the Signal de Nivigne and Mont Myon and offers some beautiful panoramic views. There is one difficult section after the Grotte à l'Ours on a fairly steep passage (secured by ropes).