A self-guided walking holiday exploring the Golden Stones Country of the southern Beaujolais. Southern Beaujolais.
Accommodation & Meals
7 nights in small and comfortable guest houses with ensuite accommodation, some on vineyards with plenty of local character. Full board with the exception of one night – all breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, and 6 evening meals included in the price.
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking tour of the Beaujolais is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Beaujolais is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid-September to mid-October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its southerly position in France and the sun’s strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days.
Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid-April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and although this provides added activity to the countryside, it also means that some of our first-choice guest houses are not available. In October the Beaujolais takes on a different character with autumn colours.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings including red and yellow of the tour of the golden stones region of the Beaujolais. There is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions. The walking follows clear paths, tracks, and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday, your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday your guest houses are responsible for transporting your main luggage, so if you have any specific requests such as a lift to the next guest house then you can speak with the guest house where you are staying. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buildings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.
Travel Info
Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Beaujolais region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick-ups are generally between 2 and 5 pm. Please contact us if you require pick up at at different time. We can also pick you up from a hotel if you are staying in Lyon before your walking holiday.
Train: Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London Lyon Part Dieu. There are direct Eurostar trains from London on certain days of the week. Otherwise Eurostar trains go via Lille or Paris. In Paris you need to change station (2 stops on the RER).
Flights: The airlines Easy jet, and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK – Luton, Edinburgh, Birmingham, London Heathrow and Gatwick – to Lyon St Exupery airport.
Note: Please check concerning the availability of a walking holiday before booking any flights or trains. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
Self Drive
Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries & DFDS seaways. Crossings are also provided by train with Eurotunnel.
Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Beaujolais area takes about 7 hours (excluding long breaks).
Tolls amount to about 35 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Other secure but non-surveilled parking is available free of charge at your first guest house. We can provide you with a transfer to collect your car at the end of your walking holiday.
Further Information & Advice
For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self-guided holiday please take a look at our blog top tips articles. Once you have booked on this independent walking or trekking holiday, further information about the walking, the region, and what to bring, will be sent to you. Please contact us if you need any further information.
Travel Insurance
All customers booking with High Point Holidays are required to have suitable travel insurance to include cover suitable for the activity as well as emergency evacuation and medical treatment. You are required to accept our terms and conditions as part of your booking.
Extra Nights
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers during the holiday for example you could stay an extra night at Clos de Pomeirs where you’ll enjoy the splendour of the rooms and you can relax by the pool or you could have a rest day at the vineyard Domaine des Aloets where you’ll enjoy great hospitality. The start and end point of this walking holiday may change due to guest house availability, so please contact us for further information about extra nights at the time of booking.
City Breaks
The nearby city of Lyon is a great destination for a city break and can be easily combined with this walking holiday, as you’ll be picked up and dropped off in the city. Lyon, France’s second city and gastronomic capital, is a lively historic city ideal for those in search of lots to see and do. Classed as a world heritage site, Lyon has it all; Roman amphitheatres, medieval streets, renaissance architecture, and modern art. We can book a city break for you and provide you with all the information you need for a great stay.
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
Combining walking holidays
This wine trail walking holiday can be combined easily with any of our walking holidays elsewhere in the Beaujolais and Burgundy, which all have transfers to and from Lyon.
Tailor-made trips
If you want to learn more about the region’s culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in the Beaujolais region. Contact us to add them to your hike.
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