Five car-free hikes to do around Lyon
To keep you busy in August, Lyon Capitale has selected five hikes accessible without a car from Lyon.
Dreaming of a getaway this August but don't have a vehicle to take you there? Don't panic, the Lyon area is full of beautiful trails. Lyon Capitale has found five hikes for you that are accessible by train or public transport around Lyon:
This is surely the most famous hike in Lyon. With family, friends, or alone, climbing Mont-Thou is an opportunity to discover part of the Monts-d'Or while enjoying breathtaking views. The hike begins at Albigny-Neuville train station, a twelve-minute train ride from Vaise station. Once there, you'll need to reach the village of Curis-au-Mont-d'Or before beginning the climb and the trail towards Mont-Thou. Keep your eyes peeled along the way for the "carbones": old dry-stone huts, typical of the Monts d'Or. After climbing 400 meters of elevation gain through small forest paths, you've arrived. There, you can enjoy the large lawn and the beautiful panoramic view of the Lyon metropolitan area, the Rhône plain, and the Alpine massif. Allow between four and five hours for this fairly accessible hike.
Head to Chaponost for this second walk. The 8.9 km long Aqueduct Walk will take you to the magnificent series of arches of the Roman Aqueduct of Gier. Accessible by tram-train 21, then by TCL bus 11 or 12 towards Chaponost town center, this hike will take you through Gilbertin, Jaillard and Plat de l'Air, before arriving at your final destination: the remains of the Roman Aqueduct of Gier, an ancient aqueduct that supplied Lyon with water during the Roman era.
Just a 25-minute train ride from Part-Dieu station, the Ambérieu Lake walk will give you a holiday feel. The hike begins as soon as you arrive at Ambérieu station, from where you'll head to the hamlet of Vareille. Once you reach your first destination, you'll pass through a charming old neighborhood before following the Gardon stream in the shade of the forest trees. Archaeology enthusiasts can then stop at the Gardon Cave, an archaeological site occupied during the Neolithic period. After a 35-minute walk, you'll arrive at the blue lake of Ambérieu, known for its unique turquoise color.
Head to the Monts du Lyonnais for this fourth route. This 11km hike is the perfect getaway for an outing that's both exotic and easy. To get to the starting point of the walk, take bus 147 from Gorge de Loup and get off at the Vaugneray stop, Place de Verdun. Once there, head to the Château de Saint-Bonnet-Le-Froid, before taking the Col de la Luère and the Col de la Croix du Ban. This walk follows the summit ridges and will allow you to observe the main viewpoints of the Monts du Lyonnais.
Accessible by train in an hour from Lyon, this last route is well worth the detour. Departing from Seyssel train station, accessible from Part-Dieu train station, a six-hour hike awaits you with breathtaking views of the Val du Fier gorge and Mont Blanc.
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