On the heights of Feurs, starting from Donzy Castle (circular)

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A circular route starting from the ruins of Donzy Castle, following the Charpassonne via the heights of Feurs. There are some lovely photo opportunities halfway along the route, with the setting sun reflecting on the ponds of the Loire and the Forez mountains in the background.

Details

n°68698658
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.52 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 404 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 404 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,555 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,152 ft
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Photos

Donzy Castle
On the heights of Feurs

Description of the walk

Start from the castle visitor car park, Chemin du Monorail.

(S/E) Follow the Charpassonne River on your left towards the castle (or Chemin du Monorail). After about 1 km, you’ll reach a junction.

(1) Continue straight on. The path goes round the hamlet of La Valette and its Romanesque chapel and joins the Auberge de La Valette at a crossroads.

(2) Turn left (D113), cross the bridge over the Charpossonne and follow the road until you come out of the left-hand bend.

(3) Turn right and follow the small road. Continue for about a hundred metres and take the first path on the left. Carry on to the village of Salvizinet, at the end of Chemin de Jalousier, where you will see a cross on your right (Mission 1864).

(4) Ignore the Montée de Villeneuve opposite, go down to the left (Rue Coursière de Cottance) and join the D113.

(5) Cross it carefully and continue along Impasse de Montagny until you reach the first track on the right.

(6) Take this track and you will soon reach a four-way junction. Turn left and continue for a few dozen metres until you reach a Fork in the road.

(7) Turn left uphill and follow the road, Chemin des Côtes de Donzy, to the hamlet.

(8) Continue straight on along the path to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,152 ft - Visitor car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.68 - alt. 1,253 ft - Bridge over the Charpassonne - Shortcut
  3. 2 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,329 ft - Auberge de La Valette - Chapelle de la Valette
  4. 3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 1,335 ft - D113 - Exit of the bend
  5. 4 : mi 2.32 - alt. 1,532 ft - Village of Salvinet - Rue Coursière
  6. 5 : mi 2.48 - alt. 1,493 ft - Junction with the D113 _ Dead end
  7. 6 : mi 2.66 - alt. 1,463 ft - Montagny - Crossroads
  8. 7 : mi 2.84 - alt. 1,394 ft - Crossroads - Chemin de Côtes de Donzy
  9. 8 : mi 3.14 - alt. 1,381 ft - Crossroads - Donzy
  10. S/E : mi 3.52 - alt. 1,152 ft - Visitor car park

Notes

Alternative route:
(1) You can cross the Charpassonne via the old bridge on the left; this shortcut allows you to quickly reach (6) in Montagny. The length of the route is then roughly halved.

(2) You can stop for a bite to eat at the Auberge de la Valette (booking recommended).

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The ruins of Donzy are beautifully showcased.
The Charpassonne is a very pretty river (almost a torrent after rain).
And don't hesitate to read (online) the unfortunate story of the Panissères monorail.

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Christian42
Christian42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but be warned: from point 3 onwards, there’s a steep climb for those who aren’t used to walking.
A visit to the Donzy site on the way back is a must

Machine-translated

gjm42600
gjm42600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk at the end of January in slightly chilly weather, with three children. The castle grounds are a very pleasant place to visit, even in winter.
The walk along the river is brilliant; the children tried out all the rocks jutting out over the water . Lovely rapids.

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