The Pollionnay forest massif covers more than 700 hectares. Walking and mountain biking trails give it a clear identity as a place for nature and activity; the château, churches and chapel add local and architectural history. For your planning, you can consider three questions separately: how much time you have and what difficulty level suits you, which historical details you would like to explore, and which activities have specific visiting conditions.

Hikes and trails in the forest massif

Twelve hikes of varying lengths, walking times and difficulty levels are available in Pollionnay. Compare these details together: the distance alone does not tell you how much time a trail will take, and the walking time alone does not indicate its stated difficulty level. This lets you make your choice based on two specific considerations: your time frame and the level of challenge.

The GR 89 long-distance hiking trail crosses the forest massif. The “Promenons-nous dans les bois” route leads up to the ridgeline and over the Croix du Ban and La Luère passes. The route descriptions thus offer different points of reference: one focuses on the forest massif it crosses, the other on the ridgeline and passes.

There are also numerous mountain biking trails in the forest massif, with widely varying difficulty levels. This gives you a distinct set of options alongside the hikes and another way to plan your stay around your preferred activity. The Crêts boisés de l’Ouest Lyonnais is designated an Espace Naturel Sensible.

Château, churches and the Verdy Mine

The Château de Pollionnay evokes the image of a rural manor house from the late Middle Ages in the Lyonnais region. Its oldest part is the main tower of the keep, identified as the bell tower of a vanished Romanesque church. The present-day Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was rebuilt in the 15th century. Together, these offer different historical perspectives: the château’s appearance and the church’s architectural history.

The Chapelle Saint-André de Larny can be visited individually or in groups, independently or with a guide. As visiting hours may change, check locally before you travel.

The Verdy Mine was discovered in 1890 and immediately exploited for barite. After rare bat species were discovered in its tunnels, it was designated a voluntary nature reserve in 1990. For safety reasons, the mine is not open to the public.

Donkey hikes and seasonal meditation

Asinerie de la Framboisine offers half-day or full-day donkey hikes for visitors aged three and over. Choosing between the two durations is part of the planning; reservations are required. As the provider’s conditions may change, check the current terms in advance.

Asinerie also offers guided meditation sessions with donkeys in nature. They are available seasonally, depend on suitable weather and are limited to a maximum of five people. Unlike the hikes, these sessions are therefore shaped by the season, weather and five-person limit.

Getting there by public transport

Pollionnay is accessible from Lyon by public transport: take line C24 from Gorge de Loup to Craponne Centre, then the regular Cars du Rhône line 147 towards Pollionnay. Check routes and timetables before you travel so you can plan your journey using the intended connection.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pontcharra-sur-Turdine, Marcilly-D'azergues, Juliénas, Ternand, Tassin-La-Demi-Lune, Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, Thizy, Taluyers

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