Lyon’s Beautiful Secluded Hills

The Mont Lyonnais Hills

The Mont Lyonnais are a series of beautiful rolling hills rising to the west of Lyon, France’s second city. Less well-known than the neighbouring Beaujolais hills, this hidden country presents a picturesque rural scene where vines are replaced by a patchwork of lush grazing land, cherry orchards and forested tops. You have the choice between a self-guided 6-day traverse or a 4-day circular walking trail to discover these inviting, off-the-beaten-track hills. The walking is reasonably gentle as you progress south from the Beaujolais to the edge of the Cotes du Rhone vines. At times you’ll follow the long-distance GR7 trail and at others, you’ll discover wonderful local paths following pretty valleys or panoramic ridges.

Starting on the edge of the southern Beaujolais you’ll first head east climbing towards the highest summits in the Mont Lyonnais which reach 1000m in altitude. These quiet picturesque hills see few walkers despite beautiful rolling countryside, wonderful vistas and pretty hamlets and villages. Your walking trail then heads south crossing the Brevenne Valley which cuts through the region. Here you’ll pass through cherry orchards and fields of strawberries and raspberries. These hills are the garden of Lyon. Your trail heads back east to reach the village of Yzeron which is perched on the edge of the Lyonnais hills which descend steeply towards Lyon. You’ll stay at altitude as your walking trail heads towards the southern end of the Mont Lyonnais where perched villages overlook the Pilat mountains to the south, passing Roman remains as you go.

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights in small and comfortable guest houses with ensuite accommodation, with plenty of local character. Full board – all breakfasts, all picnic lunches during the walking days and 7 evening meals (or 5 on short break version) included in the price.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

This walking holiday in the Lyon Hills follows a mixture local of long-distance trails waymarked in red and white and local trails waymarked in yellow. 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 walking 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. Uusally your guest houses are responsible for transporting your main luggage on this walking tour, 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 buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

Travel Info

Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Lyon hills are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick ups are generally between 2 and 5pm. 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 60 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 the articles in our top-tips section of High Point Holidays’ blog. Once you have booked on this Lyon hills walking 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.