The best walks and hikes around La Gimond

Hiking around La Gimond offers a diverse landscape, situated at the edge of the Monts du Lyonnais. You'll find hilly terrain with a mix of open prairies, dense woodlands (including deciduous forests and specific areas like Bois de Pomeys), and former agricultural zones with apple and cherry orchards. Many trails also follow or cross the Ruisseau de la Gimond, even if it's often dry.

Yes, La Gimond offers a good selection of easy trails. Out of over 230 routes, 66 are classified as easy, making them suitable for beginners or families. An example is the Between the puddles loop from Fontanès, which is 6.8 km long and generally takes less than two hours to complete.

The most prominent natural feature is the Barrage de la Gimond (Gimond Dam), which is a popular starting point for walks and offers peaceful settings and expansive views. You might also encounter the Ruisseau de la Gimond, various wooded areas like Bois de Pomeys, and numerous apple and cherry orchards, especially beautiful in spring. For specific points of interest, consider visiting the White cross or the Chapel of Fear.

Yes, many of the trails around La Gimond are circular, offering convenient starting and ending points. For example, the Fontanes Castle loop from Fontanès is a moderate 10.6 km route, and the GRAMMOND COISE CHATELUS loop from Grammond offers a 12.6 km option through varied landscapes.

Many trails in La Gimond offer spectacular panoramic views. You can often see the surrounding Brévenne and Coise valleys. On clear days, hikers are rewarded with distant views of the Alps and even Mont Blanc. Specific routes like the 'Tour de la Gayette' are known for their extensive vistas, and some circuits provide breathtaking panoramas of the Monts du Forez.

The hiking trails in La Gimond are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 360 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse landscapes, the tranquility of the Barrage de la Gimond, and the well-maintained paths that cater to various ability levels.

Yes, for those seeking a greater challenge, La Gimond offers several difficult routes. For instance, the GRAMMOND COISE CHATELUS loop from Fontanès is a demanding 21.1 km trail with significant elevation changes, suitable for experienced hikers.

Spring is an especially beautiful time for walks in La Gimond due to the blossoming apple and cherry orchards. However, the diverse landscapes and varying altitudes make it suitable for hiking across multiple seasons. The Monts du Lyonnais provide varied experiences throughout the year.

While primarily focused on nature, some routes do connect to nearby villages like Grammond and Fontanès. These allow hikers to discover local architecture and historical elements such as old mills, calvaries, and various crosses, including the notable Croix de Rampeau which dates back to 1534.

There are over 230 hiking routes available around La Gimond, offering a wide range of options for different fitness levels and preferences. This includes 66 easy, 150 moderate, and 20 difficult trails.

Beyond the natural beauty, you can explore nearby points of interest such as the settlement of Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, or the Ascent of Mont Morin. The Col de la Gachet is another point of interest in the vicinity.