On the heights of Tholomé in Chaponnay

Walk with several panoramic views of the Lyon region and diverse landscapes.
No difficulty except for the small Vernatel ravine at the end of the route.
A surprise awaits hikers and pickers on the last section in spring, but shhh...

Details

7407254
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 110 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 109 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 332 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 237 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Chaponnay (69970)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.622364° / E 4.936182°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3032E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the end of Chemin de Tholomé after the hill but before the roundabout, either alongside the house or in front of the electrical transformer (note: limited parking).

(S/E) The walk starts on the path that climbs to the right and passes by an old bourgeois house that once belonged to the Berliet family (according to local residents). Continue to the roundabout. Be careful not to take the path straight ahead, which will be the way back, but turn right heading south.

(1) At the first intersection in the woods, after a left turn, veer right at the crossroads and continue straight ahead until you leave the woods.

(2) At the next junction marked with a sign for Bois de Thomomé, turn left and at the first intersection, turn right onto the private road until you reach the T-junction.

(3) Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach Chemin des Platières, which is starting to be paved. A little further on, a path branches off to the right and leads into the woods. Follow this path for a few metres.

(4) Turn right immediately and continue straight ahead until you reach the path you took earlier and continue to the T-junction.

(3) Continue straight ahead northwards towards the water tower.

(5) At the foot of the water tower, turn right and head towards the crossroads and the Bois de Tholomé.

(2) Follow the same route back in the opposite direction until you reach the intersection in the woods.

(1) Leave the path you took on the way there and continue straight ahead. After about 100 metres, the path turns right and descends into a ravine.

(6) Steep descent and ascent in one of the branches of the Vernatel to rejoin the path that climbs opposite. At thefirst intersection, turn left and do the same at thesecond to end up further on a tarmac road at the bottom of the Tholomé housing estate.

(7) Continue along the tarmac road past the houses to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 242 m - Parking at Chemin de Tholomé
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 286 m - Intersection in the Tholomé woods
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 311 m - Sign for "Bois de Tholomé" follow Luzinay
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 318 m - T-junction
  5. 4 : km 2.81 - alt. 327 m - Keep to the right
  6. 5 : km 4.45 - alt. 306 m - Signpost "Le coin" follow Bois de Tholomé
  7. 6 : km 5.42 - alt. 269 m - Passing through a ravine
  8. 7 : km 6.09 - alt. 238 m - Arrival at the housing estate
  9. S/E : km 6.37 - alt. 243 m - Parking at Chemin de Tholomé

Worth a visit

  • Former mansion of Robert Berliet, brother and entrepreneur of Marius Berliet
  • Panoramic view of the Lyon region
  • Passing by a water tower
  • Surprise for the pickers in spring

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 19728057

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to take in the local area. Perfect for dogs

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Fred345962
Fred345962

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Navigation was done using a smartwatch, so there were no particular issues.
A route without any major difficulties, alternating between lovely scenery and sections through woodland.
Lovely view of the Lyon conurbation in the distance.
The route was very muddy in places.

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User 3391032
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant hike, especially with dogs, as there are no roads and unobstructed views all along the way. You pass through a "wood" with lots of fallen trees, perhaps due to wind? But it's not difficult. The only slightly more "technical" part is the descent and ascent of the small stream, especially when it has rained in the previous days, as the ground is slippery.

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Anne-Marie Chaize
Anne-Marie Chaize
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Armed with the written description AND the GPX track on my Garmin device, I completed the route with ease. Without the track, it would undoubtedly have been more difficult at certain intersections. A very pleasant short hike, far from the noise of the city, with passages through the woods and lovely open views. There are numerous paths, some of which are muddy, so it is best to wear suitable footwear if it has rained the day before.

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Cclerc69
Cclerc69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A fairly short but pleasant hike. Lovely countryside scenery. Wooded enough to be enjoyable in hot weather.

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dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk. We passed through Ravine 6 after the heavy rains. The climb up was slippery, but the trees helped us a lot.

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Martial03130
Martial03130

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk. While spring brings flowers, autumn allows us to gather chestnuts. Many are small, so you have to be patient and wait to find a chestnut tree with larger fruits. But you will find them.

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ChloeSi
ChloeSi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route through the woods is very pleasant, and the ravine crossing is original and fun.
There were lots of cyclists, so be careful and stay alert in the narrow passages.

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crhistine
crhistine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This Sunday there was a race with lots of people! But the route is very pleasant in the woods! We had a very nice Sunday morning.

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A route that takes you through woods and plateaus covered with wildflowers, including periwinkles, anemones and hyacinths.
There is a rather surprising ravine crossing that is best avoided in rainy weather.
Thanks to the author for this varied, peaceful walk with views of the Lyon metropolitan area.

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edreveton
edreveton

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk in the woods with beautiful views!

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f.denis
f.denis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk on the outskirts of Lyon. Not very difficult, with some interesting views. Avoid walking here after rain as it can be quite muddy.

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jean louis  b
jean louis b

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting hike, but be aware of motorcyclists and cyclists on the trail.
Note that after leaving the Tholomé woods, you must turn right, then turn left about a hundred metres further on to reach point 2.
At point 6, there is a short difficult section. It is a shame that there are no facilities, especially during the rainy season, as this part is very interesting.

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