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Tarentaise walks
The dam route from Tarentaise
Visorando Member
9.81 mi
+1,575 ft
-1,562 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Tarentaise (Loire)
This hike will take you to the north face of the Pilat massif and the Mézenc plateau, with beautiful forest crossings. Enjoy the coolness of the two dams visited and climb a rock to admire the rugged landscape of the Gouffre d'Enfer.
A circular in Le Bessat via Les Grands Bois and Le Sapin Géant
9.83 mi
+1,161 ft
-1,175 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
The route takes you through forests of tall trees on the cross-country ski trails of the Bessat resort.
Circular route from Le Bessat to La Valla-en-Gier via the Bois de la Scie valley
10.17 mi
+2,300 ft
-2,320 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
This circular route, approximately 16 km long, takes you from Le Bessat to La Valla-en-Gier, largely following the course of the Torrent du Ban.
The walk presents no particular difficulties, apart from its length
The secrets of the Grand Bois
4.93 mi
+571 ft
-558 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
An easy walk in the forest, refreshing on summer days, in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park, to discover the somewhat secret sites of the Grand Bois.
Rochettes loop
4.34 mi
+407 ft
-407 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
A hike starting from Le Bessat, in the Pilat Regional Nature Park, offering unobstructed views of the Mont Blanc massif and then the Mézenc.
N.B. Hike not accessible in winter (area reserved for skiing).
Le Crêt de la Perdrix from Les Gouttes
11.57 mi
+1,913 ft
-1,919 ft
7h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
A very beautiful hike in the Pilat Massif. Stunning views and varied vegetation. The section between (8) and (10) is a bit more monotonous... In the right season, you can pick raspberries or blackberries.
Circular route in the Pilat mountains starting from Croix de Chaubouret
9.58 mi
+2,254 ft
-2,274 ft
6h 20
Difficult
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
In the heart of the Pilat mountains, this hike will take you to the highest point of the massif, the Crêt de la Perdrix. The route will guide you to the Saut du Gier, a pretty waterfall not far from the shepherd's hut, where the river has its source. The path will take you through majestic forests where tall trees will shelter you from the sun's rays in summer.
The Crêt de la Perdrix from Chaubouret
7.79 mi
+1,224 ft
-1,204 ft
4 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Le Bessat (Loire)
Long snowshoe hike on the Pilat ridges.
Can also be done on foot if there is no snow.
Dams and forest around Planfoy
8.38 mi
+1,181 ft
-1,201 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Circular hike to the Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams, built under Napoleon III using stone masonry.
Admire the height of the conifers growing in these forests. The nearby Col de la République, also known as Col du Grand Bois, lives up to its name.
The route is mainly through woodland and is not difficult. There is very little tarmac road (only at the start and finish).
The Gouffre d'Enfer
5.45 mi
+568 ft
-564 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A walk at the gateway to the Pilat mountains to discover the Lac du Pas du Riot and two dams built under Napoleon III.
This walk is easy, suitable for families and without difficulty. The hardest part is climbing the 52 steps of the dam.
Gouffre d'Enfer circular, Pas du Riot and other infrastructure
7.25 mi
+1,414 ft
-1,421 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This hike allows you to discover the infrastructure that supplies the city of Saint-Étienne with drinking water.
The hydraulic structures were built mainly to prevent flooding in the mid-19th century during the Second Empire.
A journey between a Canadian atmosphere, with the expanse of water and fir trees of the Riot dam, and the Great Wall of China with the ascents of the Gouffre d'Enfer dam.
Mostly forest trails.
Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams from Planfoy
5.98 mi
+781 ft
-781 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Car-free route: depart from Saint-Étienne Bellevue station, accessible by tram from Chateaucreux, and take the L14 regional bus towards Jonzieux. Get off at Planfoy Route du Bourg, paying attention to the timetable, especially on weekdays outside school holidays. It is best to travel in the morning.
Neyranche Woods Circular Trail
2.21 mi
+230 ft
-226 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
A short, easy circular path, perfect for hot summer’s days as it’s entirely through the forest.
In the Bois Farost
5.47 mi
+541 ft
-558 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
This is an easy, short hike, ideal for hot summer days as it is almost entirely in the woods. It allows you to discover the Bois Farost in the Pilat Regional Nature Park, with its many curiosities.
From La-Valla-en-Gier, circular through the discreet Ban valley and Le Bessat
11.56 mi
+2,369 ft
-2,359 ft
7h 25
Moderate
Departure from La Valla-en-Gier (Loire)
Most of the hike is in the woods, which is very pleasant in summer. From La Valla-en-Gier, a pretty village that has retained its authentic character, take a small road and then a footpath to reach the Ruisseau du Ban stream, nestled at the bottom of a bucolic valley. The path runs alongside this stream for almost 3 km before climbing up to the Bessat plateau. TheGR®®42 trailtakes you to Le Bessat, a tourist village with low, squat houses reminiscent of the nearby Massif Central. The return journey is a descent through the woods.
The dams of La Valla-En-Gier
6.88 mi
+1,732 ft
-1,729 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from La Valla-en-Gier (Loire)
A beautiful hike starting from the heights of La Valla-En-Gier to discover three dams used for drinking water production.
Not recommended for those prone to vertigo.
Salvaris and the Sapey woods
4.63 mi
+420 ft
-423 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A pleasant walk for summer days, as it is almost entirely in the shade. A spectacular finale with a unique and magnificent view of the city of Saint-Étienne.
Le Pas du Riot and Gouffre d'Enfer starting from Rochetaillée
9.52 mi
+1,732 ft
-1,729 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
A very beautiful, easy circular alternating between forest paths, magnificent landscapes and breathtaking views of the Château de Rochetaillée, the Roche Corbière (117 m high) and the Pas du Riot (1878) and Gouffre d'Enfer (1866) dams, whose surroundings have been converted into a very pleasant relaxation area for the end of this walk.
Rochetaillé - Dams, Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot
12.05 mi
+1,565 ft
-1,555 ft
6h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Gouffre d'Enfer dam is one of the most famous sites in the Rhône-Alpes region and a popular walk in the Saint-Étienne area. It was built in 1860 in the Furan valley, near Rochetaillé, and completed 17 years later by the Pas du Riot dam. We then continue along the dam trail to the Pont de Souvignet. The return journey takes us via Les Palais, Les Sagnes and La Croix de Givet before joining theGR®42to arrive at Le Plateau and Rochetaillé.
From Le Grand Bois to Saint-Régis-du-Coin
11.44 mi
+1,535 ft
-1,529 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
An easy hike through the forests of Pilat. The route through the trees will take you to the Crêt de Chaussitre, where there is an orientation table offering a panoramic view of the nearby mountains and the Massif Central. The path takes you through the village of Saint-Régis-du-Coin, and further on, through the Gimel peat bogs. Near the end of the route, a second orientation table offers a superb view on a clear day, this time of the Alps.
The Polish maquis monument
4.36 mi
+705 ft
-705 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from La Versanne (Loire)
This easy, short walk through the woods in the heart of the Grand Bois in the Pilat Regional Nature Park is a chance to remember a tragic event from the Second World War, around a small monument that has been somewhat forgotten as it does not appear on any maps.
Route updated on 18 July 2020.
Boucle au départ du Col de la République
5.49 mi
+449 ft
-430 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
a peaceful walk with no difficult sections but not recommended for young children or pushchairs, through forest, alongside ponds and numerous fields in the Pilat Park.
Update 20/08/25: photos added and details provided for the fork at point (7)
Update 15/07/2025: route modified between points (5) and (7) due to the gradual disappearance of the path on the western edge of the pond.
From Trois Croix to Chaussitre
8.22 mi
+866 ft
-843 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
Hike on the plateau from the Col de la République between Saint-Genest-Malifaux and Saint-Régis-du-Coin.
Walk in the forest above Saint-Régis-du-Coin
11.68 mi
+1,250 ft
-1,224 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from La Versanne (Loire)
A long, pleasant walk in summer through beautiful forests between the Col de la République and Saint-Régis-du-Coin. Can also be done in winter with snowshoes or even cross-country skis.
Circular route in the Pilat: Salvaris - Péalussin
4.13 mi
+1,204 ft
-1,234 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
A short hike in the Pilat, offering beautiful views of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and La Valla-en-Gier.
The viewpoints of Salvaris
6.76 mi
+594 ft
-600 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Chamond (Loire)
An easy, shaded route with few hills, surrounded by pine trees, with beautiful views of the Gier valley, Saint-Chamond, Pilat and the Furan valley, Guizay and Saint-Etienne. Viewpoints and rest areas are provided along the route.