By car ! The kind that rolls on rails. Today you take the train to come for a walk in Ain, east of Lyon. Three TER stations serve the territory of the tourist office, between Pérouges and Bugey! Small selection of easy hikes to explore the surroundings of Lyon, on foot (or sometimes by bike).
Get off the grind in Ain
Sorry for the easy pun :). But let's admit it's always nice to go out walk around at home*.
What could be simpler than with the train? At departure from Lyons, 3 stations offer you to tread the paths in less than 1 hour. Meet at Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Meximieux-Pérouges or Tenay !
*and not on Swann's side, haha. Double ref: the real ones know. Marcel, Dave, if you pass by, hello.
🚇Ambérieu-en-Bugey station
Circuit from the blue lake to the castle of St-Germain
A cool ride, along the water then under the trees. Departing from the charming Parc des Echelles and its castle of the same name. Perfect for sipping a little coffee out of the thermos before putting on your hiking boots.
Namely
- The start : Car park of scales park. (10 free places)
- Duration/purchase : 2h /
- Level : Way
- Elevation : 349D+
Coming from the station
- By foot : about 25 mins
- By bus : 8-10 mins. Line TAM 1, stop Les Echelles*. About one bus/hour between 6 a.m. and 20 p.m. (Monday to Saturday).
- By bike : 10 min – free in the TER.
The Gardon stream shows you the way, punctuated with signs on the history of the place. At blue lake, the color of the water creates a end of the Pacific* in the middle of the Bugey forest. Unless it's a Japanese garden with its pretty wooden footbridge. A break at the edge of the pond and the onslaught of remains of the castle of St-Germain. (* less swimming and nautical activities)
With its wooden tables, the old enclosure is a ideal picnic spot under trees. A look at the explanatory panels will tell you more about this medieval defense fortress. THE panorama of the ogival door is a must!
One of the most accessible hikes among the many trails around Ambérieu-en-Bugey. Some may decide to push to Allymes castle.
The brave who have come on foot from the station will appreciate taking a snack break on return home “Juices & games”. On weekends, a visit is a must railwayman's museum to stay on topic!
*Return trip by bus: the stop is located 500 m from the Parc des Echelles (7 min walk) – avenue Pellaudin.
To see / to do nearby
The castle of Allymes
In Allymes, the castle dominates the plain of the Ain where you can see as far as Bresse and Dombes since the year 1306. […]
From the blue lake to the Château de Saint-Germain
Departing from the hamlet of Vareilles, in Ambérieu-en-Bugey, an exceptional walk awaits you. An easy part and in […]
Accrobranche: the freshness and sensations activity
Here we go for Branche Evasion, its 16 courses and some 190 activities at height! […]
All the museums from Pérouges to Bugey
9 museums are to be discovered with us in Ain, near Lyon. Traditions of yesteryear, Jurassic fossils, […]
🚇 Meximieux-Pérouges station
Cotance wood trail
This trail is a bonus to visiting the beautiful medieval town of Pérouges. Whether you start with the historic village or the walk, the detour is essential! He is one of 4 hiking trails around Pérouges.
Namely
- The start (your choice): Medieval town of Pérouges (1) or Aubépin lake (2). See on the map
- Duration/purchase : 2h
- Level : Very easy
- Elevation : 103D+
- Markup : green marking
Coming from the station
- By the path of pebbles : follow the symbols on the ground with a dragon (map at the station). About 20 min if departure in (2) or 30 min if departure in (1)
- Direct access : to go up to the medieval city (1) in 20 min follow this plan.
Country walk
At the starting points (1 or 2), follow the green markings on the posts along the path. An easy trail that offers a pleasant view of the countryside around the historic village.
Several glimpses along the way reveal the village silhouette far away on his hill. small pass at the expense of Cotance wood and its picnic area. Perfect for getting out the water bottle and cookies.
Le return to the station is done by the Pérouges road, in the direction of Meximieux (follow the pink dotted line on the map). The occasion of have a drink or snack on tapas at the café opposite the station, before catching the train.
Stop in the medieval city
For those who have kept the visit of the medieval city for the end, go to the door above. The cool alleys and the beautiful place du tilleul await you.
The village has managed to keep a old charm but hosts restaurants, shops and artisan workshops within its walls. Lovers of sweet treats will taste the essential Perouges cake !
To see / to do nearby
Ideas for workshops and children's activities near Pérouges
Holidays or weekends, sun or rain, it's always good to have a card up your sleeve to keep the children busy. P […]
Survey Kit: a survey game in the heart of our villages
Outdoor investigation game in an "escape game" style from Pérouges, a pretty village in Ain to the east of Lyon. Between […]
Delight in Pérouges, a galette story
Good news, there is a galette that can be eaten all year round! Only downside, it is only in Pérouges! […]
Code Pérouges: family treasure hunt
An enigmatic spy has stolen the recipe for the galette de Pérouges. Follow in his footsteps by solving the puzzles of the game […]
🚇Tenay
2 walks: round village + street art walk
At Tenay-Hauteville station, two hikes for the price of one (well, a train ticket)!
Namely
- The start : Street of the cities in Argis.
- Duration/distance : 4h / 13km
- Level : Quite difficult (steep climb at the start)
- Elevation : 510D+
- Markup : yellow
Getting there from the train station
- Consulting : take a bike on the TER or rent an electric bike for the day (3€) – In front of the post office, Tenay center (500 m)
- Take the route from the station to the start of the hike by 5 mins by bike. Secure underpass at the Argis roundabout.
Important: journey between Tenay station and Argis (500 m) not recommended on foot (busy road).
La hike from the village in the round will take you from Argis to the heights of the Albarine Valley. The highlight of the walk is undoubtedly the panorama on Oncieu at the cross of Evosges. Nicknamed the diamond of Bugey, Oncieu is a mysterious village, built in a single circle. A must see !
For a gourmet and relaxing break after the hike: the “Hérisson Gourmand” bar-café-bakery-restaurant in Argis.
As a bonus: the urban stroll through the street art frescoes of Tenay
A stroll through the murals of the discreet village of Tenay. A course of street art frescoes made by graffiti artists of all styles.
The walls tell industrial history of the Albarine valley and the wild nature of Bugey. Enough to restore color to the facades of the old center in one original ride.
To see / to do nearby
Khrôma Festival Tenay: Street Art in the Bugey mountains
Khrôma Festival Tenay, one of the many events in September from Pérouges to Bugey. What to occupy the return to […]
The Guinguette via ferrata
A via ferrata in Bugey (Ain) accessible to beginners and experienced. Several routes and loopholes. 200 […]
The Albarine river and its crystal clear waters
The Albarine river, in the heart of the valley of the same name, is an "enchanting" place. Less than an hour from Lyon […]
We tested for you: canyoning!
Did you know that it is possible to go canyoning near Lyon? The tourist office has tested the canyons […]
Good advice from the tourist office
- Check the trains well to be serene
Meximieux/Pérouges : every hour, last return at 21 p.m.
Ambérieu-en-Bugey : every hour, last return at 21 p.m.
Tenay : every 2 hours, last return at 18 p.m. on Sunday. - Take accommodation to enjoy it!
Bed and breakfast full of charm, gite with swimming pool, comfort hotel? Take the time and Spend a night from Perouges to Bugey.
- Turnkey hiking stay with Mes Pieds sur Terre
Emmanuelle surveys for you the paths of walks from a train station or bus around Lyon. Roadbook, tips and train tickets in hand, you leave with peace of mind on an adventure in the Ain !
🚇 Even more hikes from stations in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Auvergne Rhône Alpes Tourism et SNCF travelers, partners of your hikes.
Take the train to visit the region: the good plan ! Less stress, more eco-responsible. #JYVAISENTER
