The Circuit de Vernay covers 13 km through woodland and pastureland. Another hiking route, “Tour of the Crochet Mountain and Tourvéon Mount”, passes by Mont Tourvéon without reaching its summit. These provide different points of reference for planning: the Circuit focuses on a specified distance and landscape types, while the second route highlights the mountain, lush vegetation and mountain scenery. Vernay’s Romanesque church is another attraction. It was built by monks from Cluny, extended in 1852, and its nave and choir are completely painted. This gives you two clearly distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: landscape and culture.

Hikes by Route Profile

The Circuit de Vernay’s 13 km length gives you a concrete framework for planning your hike. The trail passes through woodland and pastureland, with both landscape types shaping your choice. When structuring your day, you can include the route as a separate activity and also take its described mix of landscapes into account. Route characteristics may change if the trail is revised. So check the latest route description before your hike to make sure your plans match the route.

The “Tour of the Crochet Mountain and Tourvéon Mount” route focuses on lush vegetation and mountain scenery. It passes by Mont Tourvéon but does not reach its summit. Mont Tourvéon is designated as a place of geomorphological and scenic significance. The tour description therefore complements its focus on landscape with the mountain as a natural feature in its own right. The distinction between a trail that passes by the mountain and one that reaches its summit is important when choosing a hike: if you specifically want to reach the summit, you should not plan this route as a summit hike.

Compared directly, the routes have two different focuses: for the Circuit, you can factor the 13 km distance and the succession of woodland and pastureland into your plans; for the other route, the mountain scenery and the fact that it passes by Mont Tourvéon are key. This lets you choose your hike based on your landscape interests and preferred destination, without overlooking the fact that the route does not reach the summit.

Romanesque Church and Building History

Vernay’s Romanesque church was built by monks from Cluny and extended in 1852. Its nave and choir are completely painted. The building style and the year of the extension tell different parts of its history; the paintings in the nave and choir also draw attention to the interior design. For those interested in cultural history, the building combines a sense of its historical period with a specific architectural feature. You can choose your focus when planning your trip: the church is about building history and interior design, while the trails are about routes and landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Ternand, Les Sauvages, Vaulx-En-Velin, Dième, Le Breuil, Juliénas, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Yzeron

For the regional travel overview: Rhône.