Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Start at the Plan d’eau de Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière and head towards the ponds. When you reach the middle of the first pond, turn right onto the paved "chemin de la tournerie." After a few meters, turn left to reach the stadium, where you can find a water point. Exit the stadium through the green gate, then take two consecutive right turns to join the "Via Chartreuse" greenway. Follow the route along the Herretang canal, opposite the Herretang sensitive natural area, for about 5 km. After passing the yellow "Grand Villette" sign, at the next intersection, cross the "route du Grenat" and switch to the other bank using the bridge. After the house, turn right to leave the Via Chartreuse. Follow the path to the "Pont de la Rosette" sign, cross the bridge, and turn left to follow the Guiers river to the next intersection. Turn right until you reach the road, then take the departmental road towards the roundabout and take the third exit. Turn right onto "route de la Rosette," and continue in this direction after the bridge crossing the Aigue Noire stream.
At the yellow "Aiguenoire" sign, turn left onto the gradually ascending road until you reach the departmental road. After passing the yellow "La Marine" sign, continue uphill to your right, passing the "sous la Colombaise" and "Tramolley" signs—the highest point of the route! Begin the descent towards Piquetière, passing the monastery Notre Dame du Saint Désert. You can admire the view and consider a picnic or a break at the orientation table at Côte Curt. Then, carefully descend on the rocky path, staying vigilant. Take a 180° right turn, and continue to the hamlet of Provenches, where you will turn left after reaching the road.
Continue down the road, passing the signs for "Les Martins" and "Saint Laurent du Pont." Upon reaching the outskirts of the town, turn right onto avenue de la gare, then left before the large parking area. Cross the bridge over the Guiers Mort river. At the market square parking, turn right to pass the Tourist Office, where you can stop for information or pump up your tires. A small repair kit is available. On Avenue Jules Ferry, near the post office, continue left onto Avenue Jean Jaurès, then quickly turn right before the water fountain. From here, prepare for a switchback ascent leading to the chapel Notre Dame du Château, offering panoramic views of Saint Laurent du Pont and the valley. It is recommended to dismount your bike for this section.
Follow the path, and at the "Route de Fontmartin" sign, the road descends to the right towards the cemetery parking. Turn left onto a paved path that becomes a trail. When you reach the road at the hamlet of Raviers, take the descending road to the right. Continue on the path to the left, beginning the final ascent to the "Le Morard" sign. Continue on the road towards the center of Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière. Cross the departmental road RD520, adhering to traffic rules. Before the washhouse, take the school road to the left, then turn right after the bridge onto the chemin de la tournerie. You will find the starting path on your left in the opposite direction, leading back to the ponds.
At the yellow "Aiguenoire" sign, turn left onto the gradually ascending road until you reach the departmental road. After passing the yellow "La Marine" sign, continue uphill to your right, passing the "sous la Colombaise" and "Tramolley" signs—the highest point of the route! Begin the descent towards Piquetière, passing the monastery Notre Dame du Saint Désert. You can admire the view and consider a picnic or a break at the orientation table at Côte Curt. Then, carefully descend on the rocky path, staying vigilant. Take a 180° right turn, and continue to the hamlet of Provenches, where you will turn left after reaching the road.
Continue down the road, passing the signs for "Les Martins" and "Saint Laurent du Pont." Upon reaching the outskirts of the town, turn right onto avenue de la gare, then left before the large parking area. Cross the bridge over the Guiers Mort river. At the market square parking, turn right to pass the Tourist Office, where you can stop for information or pump up your tires. A small repair kit is available. On Avenue Jules Ferry, near the post office, continue left onto Avenue Jean Jaurès, then quickly turn right before the water fountain. From here, prepare for a switchback ascent leading to the chapel Notre Dame du Château, offering panoramic views of Saint Laurent du Pont and the valley. It is recommended to dismount your bike for this section.
Follow the path, and at the "Route de Fontmartin" sign, the road descends to the right towards the cemetery parking. Turn left onto a paved path that becomes a trail. When you reach the road at the hamlet of Raviers, take the descending road to the right. Continue on the path to the left, beginning the final ascent to the "Le Morard" sign. Continue on the road towards the center of Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière. Cross the departmental road RD520, adhering to traffic rules. Before the washhouse, take the school road to the left, then turn right after the bridge onto the chemin de la tournerie. You will find the starting path on your left in the opposite direction, leading back to the ponds.
