Hiking around Lyon: June's top picks
Want to get some fresh air less than an hour from the city? This month, head to the northern Ardèche for hikes around Lyon that combine unspoiled nature, unexpected panoramas, and heritage discoveries. Whether you're a fan of peaceful walks, sports loops or mountain bike routes, our selection promises you trails that tell stories and landscapes that leave their mark.
Angelique GondrandChirol Cross
🟧Medium hike 🥾 11.5km ↗️ 483m D+
This hike starting from Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay is a beautiful getaway for nature lovers and those who appreciate beautiful scenery. From the outset, the climb gradually increases before becoming steeper as the route progresses, particularly towards the heights of Chirol.
The climb requires some effort, but it is amply rewarded once you reach the summit. The panorama is remarkable, offering a 360° view over the Annonay basin and, on a clear day, all the way to the Alps.
The Chirol Cross, standing at 915 m, is one of those summit crosses frequently found at high altitudes to mark peaks, serve as a landmark for travelers, or bear witness to local faith. Today, it is primarily an iconic landmark for hikers.
Spring is undoubtedly the ideal time for this hike, with beautiful flowering broom lining the path and brightening the route. Given its elevation gain, this itinerary is best suited to hikers with some experience. The final short loop to the cross requires sturdy shoes and hiking poles for added comfort.
Le perrier
🟧 Moderate hike 🥾 10km ↗️ 320m elevation gain
This loop starting from Lalouvesc takes you through beautiful landscapes of forests and quiet paths. The route alternates between forest tracks and more open sections, offering a gradual immersion in the landscapes of the Ardèche mountains.
The route follows part of the GR430, the Saint Régis trail, retracing the steps of Saint Jean-François Régis. It passes by the Saint Régis fountain, as well as several points of interest such as the fortified house of Polly and the Château du Perrier, a former forester's lodge in the heart of the woods.
This loop reaches altitudes of nearly 1200m, making it a particularly pleasant hike on mild days, when the coolness of the woods makes the climb more comfortable and the walk more enjoyable. Between sections through the undergrowth, viewpoints, and rural heritage sites, the route offers a beautiful diversity.
This is a hike that will appeal to nature lovers as well as those sensitive to old stones and local history, in a calm and authentic atmosphere.
Julie Little
Angelique GondrandMountain biking: The sources of the Cance
🟩 Easy level 🚵 11.4 km ↗️ 276m elevation gain
This mountain bike loop starting from Saint-Julien-Vocance is an easy and very pleasant route, ideal for a relaxing outing or for beginners. The route largely follows the valley and the banks of the Cance river, in a very quiet and shady environment.
You can't always see the river, but you can hear it throughout the walk, making it particularly pleasant and peaceful. The route follows easy paths with little technical difficulty, making it accessible to most people.
The route also allows you to discover the sources of the Cance and local life through a few interpretive panels, in a very natural atmosphere.
This is a perfect mountain bike ride for beginners or for a gentle return to cycling, between forest, small paths and the sound of the omnipresent water.
