Virieu walks

This walk allows you to discover the castles of Pupetière and Virieu. You first walk along the Bourbre valley on the hillside, then through the forest, passing the Croix du Moine Mort, and finally return to the hill towards Virieu.

The forest of the former Sylve Bénite Charterhouse offers a varied terrain for walkers in the Lac de Paladru area, with its undulating landscape and several vantage points. The suggested route climbs up the western slope (Virieu) before crossing over to the eastern slope and returning via the ridges. The low altitude means it can be walked in any season, including after a snowfall.

A magnificent circular route that follows theGR®65, better known as the Way of St James, on the way there and the paths above Lake Paladru on the way back.

An easy walk around Lake Paladru, allowing you to discover some fascinating Carthusian buildings. The Grange Dimière is a listed building and, higher up, the former Carthusian monastery, which is now privately owned and not open to visitors.

A walk starting from the village of Le Pin, now part of the commune of Villages du Lac de Paladru, passing through the hamlets of La Montagne and Brézin. Country lanes, forest tracks, woods and undergrowth. Views of the Chartreuse and the Vercors in the distance.

A circular route mainly through woods and undergrowth, passing a number of historic and religious buildings: Sylve Bénite (a Carthusian monk), the Croix de Moine Mort and the Croix d’Homnézy. Views of Lake Paladru and Mont Blanc (on a clear day).

A countryside walk starting from Le Pin, a village within the “Villages de Lac de Paladru” municipality. Passing through Les Marais, Chubins and Charpenne. A easy route along wide farm tracks and a few small tarmac roads.

A short walk alternating between good paths and small roads, except for 300 m on a departmental road. In fine weather, there are stunning views of the Jura, the Chartreuse, Belledonne... and even Mont Blanc.

This is a pleasant walk with varied scenery. You will pass Notre-Dame des Vignes in Valencogne, Lake Paladru in Paladru and, on the heights, the charming Chapelle des Trois Croix in the Dauphinois style. There are no difficulties to be expected, apart from the distance. Halfway through the walk, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the mountains.

Walk along small roads and paths with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Mont Blanc.

A beautiful walk in the Nord Isère. Your walk, in a hilly environment, takes you through alternating bocage and undergrowth. There are no particular difficulties to be feared on this route (except for an unguarded level crossing to cross...).

Loop on the Vaux ridges (Chabons municipality) with beautiful views of the Chartreuse and Belledonne mountains and the Hien, Bourbre and Ain valleys in good weather. The circuit mainly follows very wide, pleasant paths, with one section along the edge of the forest. Accessible to all.

An easy hike around the village of Bilieu with lovely views of Lake Paladru and the surrounding countryside.

This walk, which presents no particular difficulties, follows the pedestrian routes that have been successfully developed to facilitate walking around the lake, thereby minimising the elevation gain. In particular, the route takes the Voie Verte and the Chemin du Marais before joining the GR®65, the Geneva Way of St James – Le Puy-en-Velay, on the heights of Paladru and Le Pin. It passes through many pleasant spots where you can stop for a break. Enjoy the various views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, and the tranquillity of the walk, with a very low proportion of shared paths. You can also walk it in the opposite direction for a different perspective.

A day's walk, quite lovely and varied. You start by going through the Grand Platon Forest, then going along the south-east bank of the lake with beautiful views over the lake. You change banks and go along the Feydelière and Véronnière marshes ('Marais' - protected sites). The return is via the north-west bank of the lake with beautiful views over Chartreuse and, if the weather is clear, Mont Blanc.

This route will allow you to discover Lake Paladru in all its glory. A long hike (nearly 22 km) but without any technical difficulty. Best suited to experienced walkers or for tackling over two days. Choose your starting point; the lake circuit can be started from four villages: Charavines, Bilieu, Le Pin or Paladru. This large “Blue Lake”, exceptional for the beauty of its surroundings and its crystal-clear waters, was shaped by the mighty Rhône Glacier during the Ice Age. Situated at an altitude of 500 metres, nestled amongst wooded and agricultural hills, it is the fifth-largest natural lake in France. Its shores were home to one of the first human communities in Isère, dating back to 2700 BC (the Neolithic village of Les Baigneurs). Several sites are designated as “protected natural areas”.

A lovely little walk in the Dauphiné countryside. Halfway through, you will climb a little way up into the forest to the Croix du Moine Mort (Dead Monk's Cross), before descending to the charming Notre-Dame de Milin Chapel.

It was a pleasant walk, mostly through the woods, looking for chestnuts in season. However, the return journey involved a fairly long stretch of tarmac road.

This route alternates between paths and small roads, winding along the ridges and offering views of the Bourbre valley, the Dauphiné, and the Chartreuse and Vercors mountains.

This is an easy walk through hedgerows and woods.The route takes you to the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Milin, the Croix du Moine Mort (Dead Monk's Cross) and the ruins of the Chartreuse de Sylve Bénite.

A route that takes you through marshes and hillsides to discover the lakes to the east and north of Biol, passing through Torchefelon and skirting Succieu.

The circular takes you around Lake Paladru via the greenway from Charavines.

Starting from the hamlet of Le Verney, in the commune of Oyeu in Isère, this route, partly through woods, goes around Plan-du-Rey, which briefly overlooks Lake Paladru.

This walk offers a route starting from Bilieu town hall, taking in the village and La Véronnière (Montferrat). It is not at all difficult and offers a variety of landscapes (views of Lake Paladru as well as some of the Chartreuse massifs: La Grande Sure and Le Grand Som) and terrain (mainly forest paths, a walk through the Marais de la Véronnière, but also, unfortunately, a bit of tarmac).

A pleasant little walk with some lovely views of the Chartreuse Mountains.

After completing the educational route through the peat bogs, we suggest a short walk in the surrounding countryside.

A lovely, easy hike.Varied paths, with a little road but no heavy traffic.

Starting from Saint-André-le-Gaz station, this is an easy hike that winds its way around several ponds in the surrounding area.

Family walk along the edge of the woods and through the fields above Lake Paladru.

This is an easy walk that takes you past Dauphiné houses, the ponds of Saint-Didier-de-Bizonnes and the Brosses forest. In the second part of the walk, you will enjoy some beautiful views of the surrounding peaks (even the summit of Mont Blanc).

A very pleasant walk, with no difficulties. Throughout the route, there are lovely views of the Chartreuse, the Bugey and the Vercors. Not too many tarmac roads, and mostly very pleasant paths.

A lovely walk with beautiful views of the Jura, the Bauges and Mont du Chat.

A forest where you feel at peace. According to legend, the Vallin forest in the commune of Saint-Victor-de-Cessieu was frequented by druids and Templars who came to enjoy its healing properties. Several places in the forest are said to be full of energy, and there is a special energy in this place that confuses compasses. It is a pretty forest of beech, oak and hazel trees. Part of the forest has been replanted with Douglas firs, cherry trees and red oaks.

This is an easy family hike, accessible to all, in a varied setting where you can discover pheasant aviaries and landscapes near Saint-André-le Gaz.

This is a short walk, best enjoyed on a clear day. It offers exceptional panoramic views stretching from the Monts de l'Ain to the peaks of the eastern Vercors, via the Dent du Chat, Mont Blanc, the Chartreuse, the Belledonne peaks, Taillefer and Dévoluy. There are no particular difficulties along the route.

This is an ideal walk in the woods when the weather is hot. Be careful in winter and early spring, as the paths can be muddy. There are a few steep and stony sections, so take care if you are walking with children (who are good walkers). At a good pace, the walk takes 2 hours.

This walk is not difficult, except for the distance. In the first part, you walk along the Val d'Ainan Nature Reserve, then you follow a pleasant, soft path through the woods. After a detour to the Clermont Tonnerre tower, you return to Chirens via paths or small, quiet roads. In the second part of the route, if the weather is clear, you will have beautiful views of the Chartreuse Mountains.

This circular walk, starting from the village of Chirens, begins by crossing the Marais de l’Ainan, a designated Sensitive Natural Area, then climbs through the forest towards the Croix des Cochettes, and on to the Motte Castrale du Châtelar. The return route takes you via the Tour de Clermont-Tonnerre and the Guillermet, then along a path opposite Bavonne.

This hike will first take you to the heights of the hamlet of Le Molard with beautiful views of the mountains and the surroundings of Rochetoirin. You will then walk through the Tire Gerbe forest before reaching the Étang de Gole lake near Montcarra. There is a picnic area where you can stop for lunch before climbing up the other side to discover Montcarrad and its castle. You will finish by passing near the Reculefort farm, where you can buy refreshments.

A circular route through the forest on the hills around the village of Bévenais, passing by the Chapelle de la Salette to Longechenal, offering the finest views over the Bièvre Plain and the mountains.

This walk through the woods will allow you to discover the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette and the beautiful Étang du Marais lake.

Seventh stage of the Way of St James. This stage is mainly in open country with little elevation gain. You walk along the hills and copses of the eastern part of the Liers plain. Here and there, you’ll catch glimpses of the surrounding hills and peaks.

A country walk to discover the rural hamlets of La Pensière, Le Petit Souillet and Le Grand Souillet. New variation for 2021, which slightly lengthens the loop but makes it easier to park at the start.

This hike starts at the northern edge of the Bièvre plain, along theGR®65. It then leads to the moraine to discover the Chapelle de la Salette, nestled in the woods. Finally, the return journey is via the Château de la Villardière, where you will have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

A short walk down to the Bièvre plain and then back up to mid-slope. This route is not difficult, except for a short steep climb on leaving Saint-Hilaire.