Lyon travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Fourviere Hill Climb via Montee Saint-Barthelemy
Stepped climb from Vieux Lyon to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, with the Roman theatres and the Jardin du Rosaire on the way down.
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2
Berges du Rhone Riverside Walk
Flat riverside promenade along the left bank of the Rhone from Gerland to Parc de la Tete d'Or, with cycle path, gardens and quayside cafes.
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3
Ile Barbe and Saone Banks
Quiet walk on the right bank of the Saone to the Ile Barbe, a small island with a Romanesque church ruin, chapel and a footbridge, north of Vaise.
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4
Mont Thou and Mont Verdun Loop (Monts d'Or)
Forested hills north of Lyon with ridge paths, viewpoints over Lyon and the Alps; the loop climbs Mont Thou and Mont Verdun.
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5
Parc de Lacroix-Laval Woodland Loop
Large forest park west of Lyon with a chateau, ponds and marked loops of different lengths, a convenient nature fix by public transport.
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6
Grand Parc Miribel Jonage Lake Circuit
Flat, signposted circuits around the lakes of the Grand Parc, on forest paths and cycle ways, linking the L'Atol leisure base and swimming beaches.
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7
Crêt de la Perdrix Summit Walk (Pilat)
Ridge walk to the highest point of the Pilat massif at 1,432 m, with extensive views to the Alps and Mont Blanc on a clear day.
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8
Roche de Solutre Climb
Short, steep climb to the limestone escarpment of Solutre in the Maconnais, with vineyard views and the prehistory museum below.
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9
Mont Saint-Rigaud Beaujolais Summit
Highest point of the Beaujolais at about 1,009 m, with a viewing tower and forest paths through the Haut-Beaujolais.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Flat or gentle urban and river walks on firm surfaces, such as the Berges du Rhone Riverside Walk, Ile Barbe and Saone Banks and the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage Lake Circuit.
Hill routes with 200 to 350 m of climb on forest paths, such as the Fourviere Hill Climb, Parc de Lacroix-Laval and the Monts d'Or loop.
Summit walks in the Pilat, Beaujolais and Maconnais with rocky sections and exposure to weather, such as the Crêt de la Perdrix, Roche de Solutre and Mont Saint-Rigaud.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Lyon.
- Overview
- The Lyon area has a continental climate: hot summers, cold winters and mild springs and autumns. Urban and river walks work all year; hills and the Pilat are best from April to October.
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Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Heat: summer afternoons often exceed 30 degrees C; carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person.
Hazard: Ticks are common in the Monts d'Or, Lacroix-Laval and Pilat woods; wear long trousers and check skin after hikes.
Hazard: Forest fire restrictions may apply in dry summers; check the prefecture of the Rhone (rhone.gouv.fr).
Hazard: Weather in the Pilat and Beaujolais summits changes fast; thunderstorms are frequent in summer afternoons.
Hazard: Hunting takes place in autumn in the Monts d'Or and Beaujolais; wear bright clothing and stay on marked paths.
Hazard: Do not swim or bathe in the Rhone or the Saone from the walking routes; currents are strong and swimming is prohibited.
Hazard: Emergency number across France: 112 or 15 (medical) and 18 (fire and rescue).