Tour of Lac des Sapins

A circular loop around Lac des Sapins, taking about an hour and presenting no difficulties, allowing you to admire the lake from a perfectly maintained path.

Details

859062
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 448 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 435 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the cabins near the campsite.
(S/E) Follow the path towards the lake (south-west) for about 300 metres.

(1) At the crossroads at the eastern tip of the lake, turn right onto a small path towards the biological swimming pool. At the fork about 150 metres further on, turn left and cross the river that feeds the lake.

(2) At the end of the bridge, go around the biological swimming pool on the left (route marked on the map). If the gate is not open, go around the swimming pool on the right. Join the path around the lake at a place called La Fécule.

(3) Follow the path on the left and walk along the northern shore of the lake to the dam.

(4) Take the dam dyke on the left. At the end, turn left and continue along the lake towards the water sports centre. Take the small shortcut slightly to your right, which cuts across Pointe de la Blancherie. Continue along the path towards the tree-top adventure park.

(5) Turn left, cross the small bridge over the stream and take the path on the left that leads back to the lake. Follow the southern shore of the lake.

(1) At the crossroads, continue straight on to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 448 m - Departure point: cabin
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 446 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.46 - alt. 441 m - Bridge exit on the - Rhins (rivière) - Affluent de la Loire
  4. 3 : km 0.74 - alt. 445 m - La Fécule
  5. 4 : km 2.28 - alt. 435 m - Dam - Lac des Sapins
  6. 5 : km 3.01 - alt. 444 m - Fork in the road
  7. S/E : km 4.51 - alt. 448 m - Arrival at the cabin

Notes

No special equipment required.

Worth a visit

Admire the fishermen and cormorants crossing the lake!
Don't miss: the biological pool with its overflow filtration system, which is clearly explained on signs along the path.
The fitness trail.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
PAULLYNE
PAULLYNE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short walk around the lake, lots of people.
Very well-maintained banks.

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FredGuic
FredGuic

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Pleasant setting but with highly developed riverbanks in places and a fairly busy hiking trail.

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Sand69009
Sand69009

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lot of people

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acamp
acamp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful place and the tour of the lake is very pleasant.

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Ludilude
Ludilude

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: the "Go to start" option on this walk took us to the campsite, which is private and has no parking facilities. It is better to go directly to one of the official car parks at the lake (payable during the season!).
Otherwise, Lac des Sapins is a very beautiful place! There are lots of facilities and a short, easy walk for families, which is accessible by car.

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calkyft
calkyft

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Family walk suitable for young children in pushchairs. Picnic facilities available at tables or on large shaded lawns (west side of the lake, near the kayak launch area). Please note that parking is subject to a charge.

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2gegedelyon
2gegedelyon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

More of a stroll than a hike.
To be done before or after a picnic and a swim on site.

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emblavez43
emblavez43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This place is very pleasant to explore.
Very easy walk.
Be aware that parking is paid during the summer (very expensive).

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ewalrys
ewalrys

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

It's more of a walk than a hike. We combined it with a geocaching-style treasure hunt using a tourist office app (free on Play Store, BV aventure) that lets you discover the history of the region at each cache you find. Allow between 2 and 3 hours for this.

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Hjacquet66
Hjacquet66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Very easy 1-hour walk around the lake. Path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
No difficulty, very pretty setting. Bring water as it can get hot.

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labombardellaz
labombardellaz

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The Tour du Lac des Sapins is a pleasant walk designed to explore this artificial lake and its facilities rather than a real hike, in my opinion.
Please note that parking fees are based on the length of time you park there (up to €7 for a day).

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