On the hills above Bilieu and Montferrat

Easy parking in the car park at Bilieu town hall, but not much shade.

(S/E) Head up the D50d Route de Savines, continuing past “Ma p’tite épicerie” (don’t hesitate to pop in: friendly owners and local produce). At the end of the bend, turn left onto the road and carry on until you reach a path on the left (Chemin de Maljonnin).

(1) Take this track towards the small wood above Bilieu. Keep left at the first junction and you’ll come to another track.

(2) Turn right to reach the viewpoint overlooking the Val d’Ainan (a short round trip).

(3) Admire the view of Bilieu’s bell tower and the Valdaine from the bench. Retrace your steps.

(2) Continue along the original path, turning right. Carry on due north along the main path, keeping straight ahead until you cross the Route de Bilieu in the village of Montferrat.

(4) Cross the tarmac road. Caution: dangerous road crossing. Continue down the first path on the left (caution: large, rather dangerous stones). Keep going straight on until you reach the Chemin des Cochettes (tarmac). Carry on straight down the Chemin de la Croix until you reach the D90, the Route des Chevaliers de l’An Mil.

(5) Cross it carefully to the right and follow the cycle path marked in green. Pass in front of the Camping Détente et Clapotis campsite and continue along the path towards Paladru.

(6) Leave the cycle path to the left, onto the Chemin du Marais de la Véronnière, for a return trip to Paladru. An educational and entertaining nature trail with lovely spots to stop (shade, information boards, games, sculptures). You can continue on to the village of Paladru and its MALP (Archaeological Museum of Lake Paladru).

(7) Turn back to rejoin the D90, the Route des Chevaliers de l’An Mil.

(6) Follow this road to the left with care for about 400 m (sorry, no alternative route found).

(8) Turn right onto the Route de la Marinière, heading towards a small castle-lodge.

(9) Opposite the entrance to the lodge, turn right onto the Chemin de terre de la Turellaz, then onto the tarmac road, the Chemin du Sicaud, towards the hamlet of the same name.

(10) Carefully cross the tarmac Route de Bilieu once more and continue straight up the Montée du Sicaud opposite, towards La Haute-Véronnière.

(11) Throughout the Montée du Sicaud, keep well to the right and continue towards the Route de la Haute-Véronnière.

(12) At the top of the hill, when you reach the tarmac road, turn right towards the hamlet.

(13) Turn left onto the Chemin de Trallud without following the signs for Bilieu (for vehicles). Continue along the Montée de Bilieu (dirt track) as it winds its way into the Bois de la Côte Girin. Keep going straight on until the end of the track, joining the Route de la Taillée, near the Maures de Bilieu neighbourhood.

(14) Turn right, heading back up towards the village centre, until you reach the junction from the outward journey.

(1) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to the outward journey, returning to the grocery shop and then Bilieu Town Hall (S/E).

The path was dry when I explored it in summer, but the route doesn’t seem likely to get muddy, even in wet weather.

There aren’t many facilities along the route, apart from a drinking fountain a few metres from the town hall, next to the pétanque courts. On the other hand, there’s plenty of greenery and magnificent views.

Lovely views of Lake Paladru and the Valdaine (3). ‘Fun and educational’ trail in the Marais de La Véronnière (6).