Hiking - Gier Valley - La Valla en Gier No. 4

This hike allows you to discover the lower Gier valley, just 3 to 4 km from the source of the Gier river (La Jasserie) and the Saut du Gier waterfall. The trail takes you past the three dams located in the municipality of La Valla-en-Gier: Le Piney, Soulage, and La Rive. Today, only the Soulage and La Rive dams are operational and in service.

Start, Marie Badard community hall, go down to the church square and take Rue de l’Andéolaise towards the town hall. At number 8 on the street, you can enter the inner courtyard of the Rocheclaine establishment to see the Renaissance Well (Puits Renaissance), which is listed as a Historic Monument. Then, continue towards the Leytra chapel, which was built around 1640 and restored in 2004. Once at the chapel, admire the Gier valley and particularly the site of Notre-Dame de L’Hermitage, which is aligned with the Leytra chapel. Then head towards the hamlet of Le Piney, where the descent to the former Piney dam begins. Once you reach the RD 76 road, go right, and then about 50 metres further on, take a path on the left that leads to the upstream end of the Piney dam. Cross the Gier river and on the other side, take a path that climbs up to the hamlet of La Cour. Continue climbing as you wind through the hamlet, then join the path on the left that leads to La Grenarie. Next, take the paved local road that leads to the hamlet of Saleyres. From this point, there is a beautiful panoramic view of the Gier valley. After leaving Saleyres, about 200 metres further on, take the lower path which will lead you to the hamlet of Les Mures. The descent features a splendid panorama of the 3 dams and the Gier valley stretching to Saint-Chamond and beyond. At Les Mures, continue the descent to reach the Soulage dam at its upstream end. From there, for the rest of the hike, follow the shared route with the Marcellin Champagnat trail (marked with white and brown blazes) heading up towards the hamlet of La Rive. Cross the RD 2 road and return to the village of La Valla via a path overlooking the La Rive dam.

⚠️ Caution, busy road, please be careful.

Everyone is responsible for their own safety. Therefore, you hike at your own risk. Stay on the marked trails to protect fragile environments.

Some useful recommendations:

• Check the weather forecast before you leave


• Some routes cross busy roads: Be careful


• Keep dogs on a leash


• Do not light fires


• Carry out your litter


• Admire the flowers, do not pick them.


• Tick bites can lead to serious illnesses ; for prevention: wear clothing that covers your skin, use insect repellent, check yourself upon your return, remove ticks with a tick remover tool without applying anything to them, and consult a doctor if you notice any redness, flu-like symptoms, or if you are in a high-risk group.


• For emergency services, dial 18 or 112.