Snowshoeing from Lyon
From Vieux Lyon, the odd snowfall does happen on the rare day of exceptional weather.
When it does, locals can have a go at skiing or snowshoeing on the Fourvière hill, the Presqu'île or the slopes of Croix-Rousse.
But to be honest, your best bet is to head to the Alps to maximise the chances of a real snowshoe outing.
Lyon is only 1h30 from the Vercors and Chartreuse, and 1h45 from the Bauges. The public transport network between Lyon and Grenoble, then on to Villard-de-Lans or Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, is well-served by trains and buses linking the cities to the resorts.
So where can you go snowshoeing when you live in Lyon? You can:
- rent a pair of snowshoes and head out on a marked snowshoe circuit around the ski resorts of Autrans, Villard-de-Lans, Lans or Corrençon, or get in touch with a Pied Vert mountain leader for a snowshoe hike in the Vercors that is playful, pedagogical and safe
Here are three ideas for half-day or full-day mountain outings we can lead, whether you come with family, with your class on a mountain school outing, or with your company for a winter team building day.
3 snowshoe ideas from Lyon
Le Moucherotte via the Ramées plateau
A great day-long option for fit walkers. The Moucherotte is the Grenoble belvedere over Grenoble. Starting from the Lans-en-Vercors alpine ski parking, count 500 m of climb over around 10 km.
See a GPX track.
The Vercors Highlands from Corrençon
From the Corrençon Nordic ski lodge, head toward the Vercors Highlands nature reserve. After passing the Nordic area, follow your adventure mood up to the Cabane de Carette for a family picnic, and come back by another track to close a nice loop.
The more sporty crowd will push on to the Darbounouze plain.
Le Gros Martel at Méaudre
Good for late risers, or for those who prefer a morning outing. Le Gros Martel from the Refuge des Narces offers 300 m of climb on a marked snowshoe circuit (Autrans-Méaudre). At the top, an incredible view stretches as far as Mont Blanc. On the way back, stop in for a hot wine at the refuge and say hi to Natalie and Pascal.
Snowshoe rental in Lyon
For a day, a weekend or a full week, you can rent snowshoes in Lyon at one of the sports shops around town, such as Omnisport, Espace Montagne or Neige & Caillou.
You can also drive up to the mountains and rent them there.
You will avoid the hassle of carrying them around. Up in the mountains, you will find quality kit at one of the many Vercors snowshoe rental shops.
Then it is your turn on the snowshoe circuits near Lyon.
A reminder: if you join a snowshoe outing with a mountain leader from Pied Vert, snowshoes are always loaned, along with poles if needed.
For self-guided outings, keep watch on snow conditions and the avalanche risk. You may need the transceiver-shovel-probe trio (also available for hire).
