On the banks of the Gier lies Parc de la Platière, covering 7 hectares. The easy circular hike La Faverge – La Grand-Croix No. 2 starts and ends here: it is 7.1 kilometres long and listed as taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. The park is therefore a practical starting point for a stay that combines riverside trails with other discoveries in La Grand-Croix.
The Gier, the Pilat and Parc de la Platière
La Grand-Croix lies on the edge of the Massif du Pilat. The Gier is the town’s main watercourse; the Dorlay forms the boundary between La Grand-Croix and the commune of Lorette. The location and elevation also shape the views of the town and offer vistas across it. The landscape becomes especially tangible on the hiking trails: one route follows the Gier, while another leads to a viewpoint overlooking the valley and the Massif du Pilat.
At Parc de la Platière, a 1.6-kilometre fitness trail, picnic areas and an open-air theatre with 200 seats complement its riverside setting. Depending on your plans for the day, you can make the park a place to get active or take a break. The park is also the starting and finishing point for Loop No. 2. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.
Hiking trails with different views
The La Faverge – La Grand-Croix No. 2 loop is designated an easy hike. Its distance and stated duration make it a clearly defined option: the route leads to the Croix de Corbeyre viewpoint, which opens up views across the valley and the Massif du Pilat. The Les Arcs – La Grand-Croix No. 1 trail offers a different focus. It follows the Gier and leads to a viewpoint in the Chavillon district overlooking the Pilat.
The municipal Chavillon – La Grand-Croix No. 3 trail also starts and ends at Parc de la Platière. The municipal trail description dated 7 January 2026 follows the confluence of the Gier and Dorlay to the former Pont de Chavillon. This brings together several distinct options: a loop with a specified distance and duration, a riverside trail, and a route leading to a historic structure.
Pont de Chavillon: a piece of funicular railway history
Pont de Chavillon was built in 1856 as a funicular railway bridge to transport coal from the Planèze and Combérigol concessions into the Gier Valley. The wooden structure collapsed, permanently destroying the most interesting part of the bridge. Two piers remain. The site thus connects the landscape at the confluence with the region’s industrial history, although the former bridge can no longer be seen in its entirety.
Arboretum, canal and market
The La Grand-Croix arboretum explores the domestication of wild-growing shrub species into cultivated fruit trees. Visits are available by appointment. If you plan to include it, arrange your visit in advance. For groups of at least 12 people, CERPI offers guided tours with commentary along the Canal de Givors between Givors and La Grand-Croix.
The Marché de La Grand-Croix at Place Charles de Gaulle is a food and producers’ market. Check the dates before adding it to your plans. This lets you fit the market, a hike and a pre-arranged arboretum visit to your travel dates, rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
Plan your journey and accommodation
La Grand-Croix is on the A47 motorway, with the exit and entrance located in the town centre. When looking for a hotel in La Grand-Croix, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on: the loop with its stated duration, trails with views of the Pilat, or the cultural history of Pont de Chavillon. Bear in mind that the arboretum requires an appointment and that market dates should be checked in advance.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Priest-La-Prugne, Fontanès, Unieux, Grézieux-Le-Fromental, Palogneux, Bessey, La Valla-sur-Rochefort, Veranne.
Back to the regional travel overview: Loire.
