Hiking

Is there any good hiking trails within 1 and a half hours (by car) from Lyon??? I love rocks, mountains, rivers, forests. Easy to moderate day walks is what I%26#39;m looking for....

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Well there%26#39;s the Alps. I suggest you do a little googling for walks in Haute-Savie and Savoie. There%26#39;s plenty of them. Or check out maps by Michelin and IGN, both of whom do map series for walkers. If you speak a little french, include the words %26quot;Randonnees%26quot; (walks) in your search terms.

There is also a system of %26quot;refuges%26quot; inthe Alps (mountain hostels for walkers and climbers) which offer meals during the day and a bed for the night, which will extend your walking range considerably.

Particular favourites are Les Chapieux, Champagny-le-haut (above Champagny en Vanoise) and Pralognan, which are all in the same part of Savioe and two of which border the Parc National de la Vanoise but you have described an area of several hundred square miles so there will literally be many thousands of possible routes. Get a guidebook and some maps would be the best advice.

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There is magnificent hiking to be had in the Massif du Vercors and the Massif des Écrins southwest and southeast of Grenoble respectively.Grenoble is about an hour from Lyon by car.

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Of course you can get to the Alps, but it will more probably be a 2 hours+ drive. I feel it is a little far away for a one day trip.

There are a lot of trails closer to Lyon (even trails that are accessible by public transportation!); You could explore these nice areas:

- South of Lyon, the Pilat offers a lot of trails:

www.pilat-tourisme.fr/-Randonnees-.html

- North of Lyon, the Beaujolais has a hills and vineyards very nice landscape, for example in Beaujeu region:

www.aucoeurdubeaujolais.fr/article.php3…

- Closer, la Dombes offers nice trails with birdwatching around the pounds (flat trails though)

ladombes.free.fr/Tous%20les%20circuits.htm

- Also very close to Lyon, les monts du Lyonnais are more steep:

rhonetourisme.com/Randonnee-balade/Randonnee…

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I agree with IrishRovr, Parc des Ecrins is one of the most faboulous landscape to get hiking. But it desserves a trip on purpose : located south of Briançon, it is 292 km away from Lyon, that makes a 3 hours and 53 minutes drive (Michelin source). It is far (on European scales, may be not on USA or Australian habit), so if you consider getting to this high mountains landscape, you should consider staying there for the night.

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thanks everyone some great tips here...I only have 3 nights in Lyon - so will stick to the closer suggestions...

cheers

Francesca

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thanks Everyone!