For a refreshing stopover near Lyon, the Monts d’Or are among the most pleasant hikes to be done on the outskirts of the city. Green and intoxicating, you will find Mother Nature just a few kilometers from city life. Discover the best trails to take for a quest for greenery as well as a historical escape.
Visiting Lyon is not limited to Fourvières, its Lyonnais bouchons and its traboules. It is also the discovery of a green nature, magnificent fields and undergrowth as well as typical and picturesque villages such as Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or. Overlooking the Lyonnaise region, the Mont-Cindre, Mont-Thou and Mont-Verdun then display a proud appearance with their great diversity of hikes in the heart of the valleys of the Monts d’Or.
More than a grandiose panorama, the discovery of these trails will take you back in time. Between Châteaux and Cabornes, discover the 4 most beautiful hikes to do around Saint-Didier-du-Mont-d’Or.
1. The Boucle Saint-André du Coing-Saint-Didier-au-Mont d’Or
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The loop hike from Saint-André du Coing to Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or will introduce you to typical aspects of the region. The path alternates portions of undergrowth with the discovery of superb picturesque villages.
It also lends itself to the game of the historical course on which you will find the famous Cabornes. True emblems of the Monts d’Or, these dry stone constructions were built by the winegrowers, shepherds and other agricultural workers in order to constitute a shelter to fight against bad weather.
By continuing the hike, you will also be able to see the castle of Saint-André du Coing. This superb building, rehabilitated in the 16th century, actually dates from medieval times. Now a filming location, the castle is a superb point of view to observe from the path.
The hike itself presents no difficulty, it is a pleasant route that will take you through sublime panoramas while making you discover the history of the region.
2. The Mont d’Or Loop from Saint Cyr Mont d’Or
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A new way to discover the Monts d’Or is to make a loop starting from Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or. New picturesque villages like Saint-Cyr and Saint-Romain-du-Mont-d’Or will be here to discover. On the trail, you can also observe a large number of Cabornes as well as an old washhouse. The walk will make you experience a real journey through time for a few hours.
If you are lucky, you may be able to see buzzards, hawks or rattlesnakes in the middle of their wild state at the Chemin des Rapaces located just before the arrival point.
This hike around Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or is a real source of discovery for those who wish to venture there. Accessible and without technicality, it is a trail to be planned alone or with the family for half a day to discover the hidden treasures of the Monts d’Or.
3. The Boucle in the Monts d’Or from Saint Romain
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Kywam
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Starting from Saint Romain, this new path follows the paths of the interior tower of the Monts d’Or. The path then follows the Chemin des Rapaces from where you can see buzzards and hawks before joining the Barollière castle.
Renovated several times since the 15th century, the building contains real treasures such as its Louis XVI woodwork or the arms of the Richard family. The castle is not open to the public, but offers a superb panorama in the middle of nature. It brings a magical and mysterious side, leaving you dreamy to imagine the life of a lord during the hike.
On the trail, various panoramas will also be present on the outskirts of Mont Cindre or Mont Verdun allowing a diversity of points of view on the Lyonnaise region. To be carried out in all seasons, it is a superb peri-urban circuit alternating between villages, forest paths and fields.
4. Poleymieux-au-Mont-d’Or and the Bas de Saint Fortunat
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The Poleymieux-au-Mont-d’Or hike is also a good way to discover the traditional cabornes as well as the old washhouses. Between forests and meadows, the path allows you to take a break away from the city and recharge your batteries thanks to the pure air of the countryside. Conducive to peace and serenity, it is a pleasant hike around Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or to be done with the family.
On a clear day, you can even observe from the route a magnificent panorama of Mont-Blanc and the Belledonne massif. Easy and with very little vertical drop, it is a peaceful hike around Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or that is pleasant to discover all year round.
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