Way of St. James from St. Genix-sur-Guiers to Condrieu
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration7 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationFrench Alps / Savoy
-
AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
-
CO₂-Emissions60.32 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
The highlights
-
A varied and interesting hiking trail away from the crowds
-
Discovering the houses of the Dauphiné region
-
Over the years, the possibility of traveling the entire route to St. James has emerged.
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Orientation :
Level 1 : A little attention and some map reading skills are required.
You must be able to follow a route using an FFRP guidebook and clues found on the ground. You must only use marked trails.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 21 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 333 m
- Average daily descent: 334 m
Management
Program
-
St Genix sur Guiers
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival in St Genix sur Guiers in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 1 -
St Genix sur Guiers - Saint Ondras
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 460 m
- Negative elevation 180 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You leave the mountains of Savoy behind and enter Isère. You discover the first Dauphiné-style houses built of rammed earth. The Way of St. James follows the Guiers River and then hops from hill to hill in this rolling landscape that leads you to Charancieu (393 m), then to Valencogne (where you'll find a triptych of St. James in the church). Accommodation is available in Charancieu or Saint-Ondras.
Day 2 -
Saint Ondras - Le Grand Lemps
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 545 m
- Negative elevation 545 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This day takes you to the Bièvre-Valloire region. Your route passes near Lake Paladru (at Le Pin), crosses the former Chartreuse de Sylve Bénite (a Carthusian monastery founded around 1116), and after the climb to Le Soulier (702 m), leads to La Ferme de Futeau, nestled in nature. A final steep descent takes you to Le Grand Lemps. There is no longer any accommodation available in Le Grand Lemps; you will be staying in La Côte Saint André. A taxi or your accommodation provider will pick you up and take you back to Le Grand Lemps the following day.
Day 3 -
Le Grand Lemps - La Côte St André
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 280 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The stage has very little elevation gain. The Way of St. James remains gentle at the foot of Mont Avallon. You'll pass no fewer than three castles overlooking the valley, and it's the castle of Louis XI that welcomes you to La Côte St André. Hector Berlioz was born there, and the town honors him with an autumn festival. Dinner is not included .
Day 4 -
La Côte St André - Revel Tourdan
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h15
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 235 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
After this musical town, the GR65 trail invites you to pick up your walking stick again towards Balbins-Ornacieux. Behind Mont Cardon, a bocage landscape (canals, mills, a pond) leads you to Faramans, then to Pommier de Beaurepaire where the orientation table shows you the route you have already traveled and your next destination. A shaded walk through the Bois Favan forest takes you to Revel Tourdan. There is no longer any accommodation available in Revel Tourdan, so you will be staying at the Chapelle de Surieu; transfers will be arranged by the accommodation provider.
Day 5 -
Revel Tourdan - La Chapelle de Surieu
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 290 m
- Negative elevation 430 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
It is on the hillside, through fields and beautiful chestnut groves that you pass the villages of Moissieu sur Dolon (site of the former Hospice of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem), Bellegarde Poussieu (Chapel of Our Lady of La Salette 18th century) and reach your accommodation in La Chapelle de Surieu, 1.5 km from the GR65.
Day 6 -
The Chapel of Surieu - Condrieu
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 330 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After passing through St Romain de Surieu (249 m) and its magnificent Carmelite monastery, the Carrefour du Grand Chêne welcomes you in the Bois de Limone before reaching Assieu.
With the Pilat mountains on the horizon, you then cross the orchards of Auberive and Clonas-sur-Varèze to emerge into the Rhône plain. You reach the river that separates the departments of Isère and Loire at Les Roches de Condrieu or Condrieu, located on each bank of the Rhône.
You will discover the vineyards of the Condrieu appellation at the foot of the Pilat Mountains.
The stay ended in the afternoon.
Day 7
Note
We may need to modify your itinerary if the planned accommodations are unavailable during your travel dates. The alternative accommodations offered will be of a similar category and their location will have minimal impact on your route. Rest assured, these changes are always made in your best interest, for your safety and comfort!
Note : On this section of the Camino de Santiago, accommodations are limited and small. Depending on closure days, the various possible accommodations at certain stages are often several kilometers apart. The stage lengths mentioned in this guide are based on typical locations along the route and are therefore only indicative. Once you have the complete itinerary, you will have all the information needed to recalculate the actual distance.
Accommodation
Accommodation in hotels*, hotels**, guest rooms and rooms in private homes (artist's house) depending on availability at the time of your booking.
It is possible that the shower and toilet are located on the landing or upstairs in some accommodations.
Out of respect for the daily rest period of the hosts (available early in the morning and late in the evening), the rooms are not available before 4 p.m.
The contact details for the accommodations will be provided with your hiking pack.
Dogs are not allowed.
The basic package for this self-guided hike is in a double room (occupied by 2 people) with half board (evening meal + night + breakfast).
Dinner on day 4 is not included. There are several restaurants in the town where you'll be staying.
Supplement for single room.
If you require a room with three beds, please note that few accommodations offer this option. The third bed may be an extra bed, a cot, or a sofa bed. For stops where this is not possible, a supplement per night for a single room will be charged.
When accommodation is unavailable, we may have to make you spend 2 nights in the same accommodation and organize a transfer or change the category of accommodation (which does not change the content of your hike but may result in an additional booking fee).
Access
Day 07 in the late afternoon in Condrieu.
Return train : St Clair Les Roches station
St Clair Les Roches station is located in the commune of Les Roches de Condrieu and on the Lyon – Valence line. Numerous connections.
It is very close to your arrival point.
Timetables available from SNCF at 36 35 or www.oui.sncf or www.ter-sncf.com/rhone_alpes.
Avoid traveling on weekends or public holidays as SNCF services are much more difficult on those days.
Return by car: St Genix sur Guiers
St Clair Les Roches station is located in the commune of Les Roches de Condrieu and on the Lyon – Valence line. Numerous connections.
The Pont de Beauvoisin station is located on the Lyon – Chambéry line.
To reach Pont de Beauvoisin, you can use the train.
Timetables available from SNCF at 36 35 or www.oui.sncf or www.ter-sncf.com/rhone_alpes.
Avoid traveling on weekends or public holidays as SNCF services are much more difficult on those days.
Transfer between Pont de Beauvoisin train station and St Genix sur Guiers (10 km) is at your own expense. Please book this transfer directly with Taxi Bernard: 04 74 33 60 30.
You can return by taxi from Condrieu to St Genix sur Guiers, see section “dates and prices”.
Return flight: Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
Lyon Saint Exupéry: www.lyonaeroports.com
Train to Lyon Part Dieu
Then regular connections to Lyon: http://satobus-alpes.altibus.com/
Accommodation before or after the hike: If you are interested in the "Rates" section).
Go to the starting point
Transfer at your own expense between Pont de Beauvoisin train station and St Genix sur Guiers, 10 km away. Book directly with Taxis Bernard: 04 74 33 60 30 (approximately €30).
The Pont de Beauvoisin station is located on the Lyon – Chambéry line.
Timetables available from SNCF at 36 35 or www.oui.sncf or www.ter-sncf.com/rhone_alpes.
Avoid traveling on weekends or public holidays as SNCF services are much more difficult on those days.
SNCF train stations near the route:
If you would like a personalized program:
Abrets Station
Virieu train station (7 km from Valencogne)
Grand Lemps Station
Lyon Saint Exupéry : www.lyonaeroports.com
Train to Lyon Part Dieu
Then regular connections to Lyon: http://satobus-alpes.altibus.com/
St Genix sur Guiers is accessible via the A43 Lyon - Chambéry motorway. Exit the motorway at exit 11 (St Genix sur Guiers). Take the D916a to St Genix sur Guiers (3.5 km).
Price details
The price includes
- Organization fees
- Food and accommodation on a half-board basis (except days 03 and 04)
- The provision of a complete hiking file
- The provision of the FFRP guidebook
- Tourist taxes
The price does not include
- Luggage transport
- The “solo supplement” if you are travelling alone
- Lunch (except for full board)
- Dinners on days 03 and 04
- Wine during meals
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Personal equipment
- Possible visits
- Shuttles or taxis to retrieve your car or to shorten certain steps
- The journeys to and from the reception location.
- The different types of insurance: Cancellation and/or Search and Rescue Costs - Assistance - Repatriation - Trip Interruption
- Luggage transport at each stage
- Anything not listed under "The price includes"
Options
- Single room : CHF196.68 / person
- Luggage transfer for 1 person : CHF347.62 / person
- Luggage transfer for 2 people : CHF173.81 / person
- Luggage transfer for 3 people : CHF77.76 / person
- Luggage transfer for 4 or more people : CHF32.02 / person
- Return transfer Condrieu – St Genix sur Guiers by taxi : CHF210.40 / reservation
- Additional night in St Genix sur Guiers - Single room : CHF102.46 / person
- Extra night in St Genix sur Guiers - Double room : CHF65.87 / person
- Extra night in Condrieu - Single room : CHF73.18 / person
- Extra night in Condrieu - Double room : CHF56.72 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents.
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also bring your health insurance card.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt.
- A large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
- 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses with side protection.
- A water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
- Toilet paper + 1 lighter to burn it.
- Sunscreen + lip balm.
- Airtight plastic container (minimum capacity 0.5 litre) + cup + cutlery.
- 1 survival blanket.
- Camera, binoculars (optional).
- A pair of poles is recommended.
Clothing to bring
For the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:
- A long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
- A warm fleece fur jacket.
- A windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket.
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may be sufficient. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is an essential addition.
Choose quick-drying clothes, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool (merino wool underwear is comfortable and doesn't develop unpleasant odors), silk, and synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.
Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing that quickly becomes icy during breaks. Therefore, it's very rare to undertake a climb wearing a fleece jacket.
The ideal list : (to be adapted according to the hike and the season)
- 1 sun hat or cap.
- 1 scarf or neck warmer.
- Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferred (1 for 2 to 3 days of walking).
- 1 long-sleeved undershirt in breathable material or a shirt.
- 1 fleece fur jacket.
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
- 1 rain cape or a bivvy bag if you own the jacket above.
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
- 1 pair of shorts or bermudas.
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Opt for wool or hiking-specific socks. Be careful with cotton as it can cause blisters.
- 1 pair of high-top hiking boots with good ankle support and waterproof soles (Vibram type). Remember to test new shoes and those that haven't been used for a long time beforehand.
- Underwear.
- At the beginning and end of the season (May - June and September - October), it may be useful to also have gaiters, gloves and a hat.