Amions: Way of St. James, Forest and Cycling

Amions brings together several themes for a stay: hiking the Way of St. James or the La forêt de Bas circular trail, exploring the woodland landscape of Forêt de Bas, and cycling a route between Roanne and Montbrison. These trails and local features offer different points of reference for planning your trip. You can first decide whether you want to get a sense of a hike with a stated duration, explore the nature of the forest area, or consider Amions as a stop on a cycling route. The former Roanne–Boën Tacot railway line is also part of the town’s history.

Hiking the Way of St. James and in the Forest

The Cluny–Le Puy-en-Velay branch of the Way of St. James passes through Amions. The Way of St. James is a hiking trail marked by the GR65 and numerous variants. More specific details are available for the La forêt de Bas circular trail: it is an easy 9.5-kilometre hike with a duration of three hours. A section of the circular trail is marked near Amions and follows a forest path into Forêt de Bas. The two hiking options can therefore be understood in different ways: the Way of St. James is defined by its passage through Amions, while the circular trail has stated difficulty, distance and duration.

If you plan your trip around the time available, the circular trail’s three-hour duration provides a clear reference point. This information applies to the La forêt de Bas circular trail; the section marked near Amions is described as part of this route. This preserves the distinction between the full hike and the local section. Those more interested in the Way of St. James will find a different point of reference in its named branch and the markings by the GR65 and its variants than in the circular trail’s distance details.

Forêt de Bas: Forest and Habitat

Forêt de Bas covers around 500 hectares and is one of the few larger woodland areas still remaining in the Forez plain. Its trees are predominantly pedunculate oaks, alongside other oak stands and areas of Scots pine. The forest is also described as a refuge for bats and numerous bird species. The bats mentioned include the serotine bat and the greater mouse-eared bat, while the birds include the red kite.

Forêt de Bas can therefore be considered from several perspectives: its approximate size, the composition of the forest and the groups of animals found there. This may be relevant when choosing a destination if you would like to consider the landscape and its habitats as well as a specific hike. The nature-related themes complement the route information without making the trail and the forest area one and the same thing: the circular trail follows a forest path into Forêt de Bas, while the information about trees and animal species describes the character of this woodland area.

Cycling Route and Local History

Amions also has a specific connection for cycle tourists. On the second day, the Mad Jacques cycling route between Roanne and Montbrison passes through the town. Between the two named cities, the route follows the Route des Vins Forez-Roannais en Loire Volcanique.

The former Roanne–Boën Tacot railway line, which served Amions, offers a different perspective on the past. It is part of the town’s transport history and, as a former railway line, should be distinguished from the cycling route and hiking trails described here. Amions thus offers connections to present-day routes as well as a historical transport theme.

Amions as a Destination for Your Hotel Search

When looking for hotels for a trip to Amions, you can choose your destination based on the themes that matter most to you. The circular trail includes details on difficulty, length and duration; the Cluny–Le Puy-en-Velay branch of the Way of St. James passes through Amions. Forêt de Bas brings woodland scenery and wildlife into the picture, while the Mad Jacques route provides a connection to cycle touring. The former railway line adds local history to the options. This allows you to assess Amions as a destination based on specific hiking, nature, cycling and cultural themes, and then look for a suitable hotel for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Merle-Leignec, Saint-Michel-Sur-Rhône, Unieux, Savigneux, Pommiers, Notre-Dame-De-Boisset, Aboën, Bellegarde-en-Forez

For the broader travel overview: Loire.