Violay walks

I recommend this hike when nature is waking up in mid-April, to enjoy the green meadows and bright yellow dandelions. There are unobstructed views over much of the route. The ridge offers beautiful views of the Loire and Rhône departments. Picnics by the pond are very enjoyable and peaceful. The return trail near the river (Turdine) is very wild and quiet.

Violay is a town with over 1,200 inhabitants and many shops! In the first part of the hike, you will pass by the Matagrin Tower (which you can visit). You will then follow theGR®7to Violay, before returning by another route. Most of the route is through the woods.

A walk aimed at a fairly experienced audience, not recommended for young children; a pleasant route through the woods, with lovely gentle climbs rewarded by 360° views!

We wanted this new Milorando to be ‘modular’ There are several possible starting points as this walk is quite long. Thefirst option is to set off from the hamlet of La Rivière de Villechenève, which makes for a walk of nearly 20 km Thesecond option is to set off from the Croix Casard crossroads in Affoux (entrance to the village via the Route de Tarare); you can park in the car park. This makes for a walk of nearly 14 km. Thethird option starts a little higher up, heading towards Mont du Crépier, via a quarry to avoid a short climb – a route of nearly 13.5 km. A very beautiful walk through the woods, with pleasant paths and a good elevation gain.

A sheltered walk with a few views of the Monts du Lyonnais and a chance to discover the Matagrin Tower at the top of the highest peak in the Monts du Lyonnais. An ideal walk in hot weather as it is at altitude and mostly in the woods.

This walk, suitable for everyone, takes you through the hamlet of La Rivière with its imposing buildings, the Bois d’Azol with a slight incline, and offers views of the nearby Loire department from the Vilette area. On the way back, explore the gardens of La Rivière.

A hike of around ten kilometres ending with a walk around the Joux Dam. Suitable for mountain bikes. The start is an uphill stretch of just over 3 km, followed by a pleasant downhill path. Lovely views along the route.

A route from Villechenève to Montrottier, taking different paths on the way there and back.

Route from Villechenève to Chambost-Longessaigne and back, via the footpaths. A lovely circular route!

A slightly more challenging circular route than the previous suggested circular routes. From the Madone site, where you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the village, the Forez and the Massif Central, you’ll set off to explore the Souzy Chapel. The route passes through the hamlets of Le Lafay, Le Goutail, La Parollière, Le Souzy, La Renardière, Le Bertrand and Les Olmes.

Discover the village of Villechenève and its immediate surroundings on this easy walk, suitable for everyone. You’ll see, in particular, the two beautifully restored wash houses, as well as some of the fourteen crosses in the village. You can also admire the 360° panoramic view from the Madone site.

A pleasant circular route around the village of Villechenève, taking you through the hamlets and along country lanes. You’ll pass by one of the wash houses, the private site of Montlit, as well as several of the village’s wayside crosses, before finishing at the church and the town hall.

This walk, accessible to all, takes you south of Villechenève and around the village of Longessaigne. A lovely walk with a slight incline through beautiful countryside.

Starting from Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges, this route follows the ridges surrounding this small village in the Montagnes du Matin. The first ridge is open and exposed. The second section, on theGR®®7, is through woodland.Located halfway along the route, Lac de Saint-Cyr – more of a pond really – is ideal for a break in the shade.The return journey offers beautiful, unobstructed views over the plain and the Monts du Forez.

A very beautiful walk starting from the car park by the bar in Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges. You’ll walk through the countryside around Saint-Cyr and Violay, passing the Échanssieux dam and then through Violay, before returning via Les Crêtes (GR®®7), where you’ll be treated to two magnificent views: to your right, the Monts du Lyonnais (and, on a clear day, the Alps and Mont Blanc); to your left, the Monts du Forez, the Auvergne and the Cantal.