Noyarey’s hiking trails reveal very different sides of the landscape: one route passes through woodland and offers views across the valley, while another provides insight into ecological corridors and wildlife crossings. The history of the Romanesque Saint-Paul Church and the agricultural land around Ezy also give the area its own distinctive character.

Hiking routes: starting points, destinations and times

Two hikes are described with specific times: L’Eyrard–La Palette takes one hour and passes the Bec du Pipet on the way to La Palette. The Noyarey–Trucherelle–Carron–Cascade de l’Eyrard route is listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. It begins on the road to Ezy, beyond the last houses. The durations can therefore be compared directly, although the starting points and destinations differ considerably.

The Noyarey–Le Poyet hike is marked in blue and starts 300 metres from the town hall car park. It passes through woodland and offers views across the valley. Another route description covers Ezy–Montaud: the route starts at the end of the paved road in Ezy and follows a wide path to Montaud. These routes have specific starting points, trail descriptions or destinations, making it possible to choose according to the route that suits you.

The ecological corridor along the Isère

The discovery trail of the ecological corridor from Noyarey to Saint-Égrève is an easy, five-kilometre circular walk. It follows the voie verte near the Isère and offers insight into the ecological corridors of the Grenoble metropolitan area. These include the passages and obstacles used by wildlife. The trail thus combines a walk with a specific nature theme: the ways animals can move through a landscape that features both passages and barriers. The trail is free and open year-round, provided weather conditions are favourable.

The Isère riverbanks and the Vercors

The banks of the Isère in Noyarey form an exceptionally rare biodiversity reservoir in the Grenoble metropolitan area. The riverside corridor is recognised as an important ecological corridor linking the Chartreuse and the Vercors. Smaller landscape features also tell the story of the river: Bois du Gélinot is one of the last remaining areas of alluvial forest along the Isère, and the Gélinot stream was once a branch of the river.

Noyarey is one of the 85 municipalities in the Vercors Regional Natural Park. The western Vercors crossing on the GR®9 from Grenoble to Saillans also passes through the municipality. This long-distance route is distinct from the individual local hiking descriptions: while the municipal trails specify particular starting points and destinations, the GR®9 crosses Noyarey as part of a longer route.

Agriculture and a farm visit

Agriculture in Noyarey covers more than 420 hectares on the Plateau d’Ezy and in the Isère plain. The plateau, at an altitude of 800 metres, has hay meadows and pastureland. Three farms focus mainly on raising cattle and sheep, as well as growing fruit and aromatic plants. The Noyarey plain, together with its extension towards Sassenage, forms an area of around 250 hectares of fertile soil. The area has had an irrigation network since 1990 and is suitable for growing vegetables and berries.

One way to discover this agricultural side of the area is to visit the Ferme du Souillet in Ezy. Offerings include farm tours with visits to the sheepfold, animal-feeding activities, meals and guided tours. If you would like to take part in the activities, you should confirm in advance. Fruit, vegetables and lamb from the farm are also available; please contact the farm in advance about sales.

The Romanesque Saint-Paul Church

Saint-Paul Church is an 11th-century Romanesque church. It was altered after the French Revolution with the addition of two naves. Its history therefore brings together a medieval origin and a later renovation. The church adds a clearly identified historical landmark in Noyarey to the area’s hiking and landscape attractions.

Discover more destinations: Les Avenières, Saint-Lattier, Domène, Bernin, Villard-Reymond, Chozeau, Vernioz, Montcarra

For the main travel overview: Isere.