You have to see it to believe it. In this veritable natural cabinet of curiosities, a succession of carved rocks intermingle in a sort of canyon, giving way to chasms and other giant’s potholes where water gushes from all sides. For it is indeed the water that is responsible for this fascinating jumble. This mineral labyrinth carved into the rock allows hikers to discover a dazzling natural site (listed since 1937) near Lyon, just like the Lac Bleu d’Ambérieu or the Gorges du Fier. This time, head to the Ain region for the Valserine Gorges.
The Valserine, the first river to be designated a “Rivières sauvages de France”
Seen from above, you might think it’s a dinosaur skeleton…Yet this canyon hides nothing more than the mark of time—that of water and wind carving this limestone slab over several million years. But what water! We’re talking about the Valserine, this vigorous river that rises in the far reaches of the Jura. It is particularly renowned for the quality of its waters and, by extension (no pun intended), for the many fish found there.
The whole scene gives way to a lunar landscape. The Valserine plays hide-and-seek through this roller coaster of terrain, disappearing and reappearing within this tangle of limestone formations. The spectacle is one of a kind. Just like the Charabotte Waterfall, the Valserine Gorges are best visited in spring or fall rather than in the middle of summer, when the water flow may not have the desired effect. As you can see, this spot in the Ain is a little hidden paradise on the outskirts of Lyon that we must strive to preserve. Once again, we’re counting on you!
A site accessible from Part-Dieu in 1.5 hours, map in hand
Every day, no fewer than 9 TER trains depart from Part-Dieu toward Bellegarde-sur-Valserine for a journey lasting exactly 1 hour and 26 minutes. From the station, reaching the trail is a breeze. Head to the parking lot on Rue Louis-Dumont to begin your adventure. Follow the marked trail (GR) that runs along the river. Head back up to the Convert Bridge, then to the Métral Dam, and finally along the path to the Valserine’s underground channels, crossing to the other side of the river via the Oulles Bridge.
In total, it’s a 2.4-kilometer hike that takes about 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to admire the site’s many geological features. The site is accessible to all skill levels, but it’s strongly recommended not to venture there in rainy weather, as the ground can be slippery and water levels can rise quickly.
