Saint-Martin-en-Haut: Hiking Trails and History
Accommodation in Saint-Martin-en-Haut
Saint-Martin-en-Haut is one of the main gateways to the vast Monts du Lyonnais area. Marked hiking trails and a landscape of ponds, streams, valleys, fields, meadows, and forests are central to the commune. Rochefort’s history is another highlight.
Landscape and hiking trails
Saint-Martin-en-Haut has 70 ponds, which contribute to the diversity of its landscape. On the steep side of the commune, the scenery is shaped by rugged, heavily wooded terrain, deep valleys, and numerous streams, including the Artillat. The GR7 passes through Saint-Martin-en-Haut, crossing fields, meadows, and forests. The streams cut through the deep valleys in the rugged terrain; the Artillat is one of the waterways in the commune of Saint-Martin-en-Haut.
Saint-Martin-en-Haut has more than 170 kilometers of marked hiking trails. The GR7 is a specific trail that passes through fields, meadows, and forests.
The Tacot is another route. Between Croix Forest and Saint-Martin-en-Haut, you can follow its route along the departmental road on a trail marked with the letter K.
Getting here and finding your way around
Bus route 2EX connects Saint-Martin-en-Haut with Lyon and Chazelles-sur-Lyon. Check the latest timetable before traveling. Nearly 900 parking spaces are spread across various locations in the village, including spaces for carpoolers and hikers.
Rochefort: chapel and history
The Chapelle de Rochefort was built in the 13th century and was a popular stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James. It features a 15th-century stained-glass window and a Pietà dating from the late 15th or early 16th century. A Pietà depicts Mary with the body of Jesus and is part of Christian religious art. A stained-glass window is an artwork made of colored glass that lets light through. Unlike the Pietà, it does not depict one specific religious subject but rather describes a type of artistic technique. The Way of St. James is a Christian pilgrimage route associated with the veneration of the Apostle James.
Another historical landmark is the medieval site of Rochefort. It lies on a rocky promontory and, thanks to its strategic location, kept watch over the road to Lyon for two millennia. Rochefort brings together two perspectives: the chapel’s religious history and the strategic importance of the medieval site’s location.
Visiting hours at the étang du Quéser
The pond known as the “étang du Quéser” is open daily from sunrise to sunset from the second Saturday in March through October 31. As seasonal rules may change, check the details before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Les Halles, Vaugneray, Cogny, Saint-Loup, Saint-Bonnet-De-Mure, Pommiers, Légny, Givors.
For the regional travel overview: Rhône.
