Groslée / La Balme-les-Grottes
This ViaRhôna stage takes you through unspoilt countryside beside the Rhône. Hidden in the magnificent landscapes of the southern Bugey, with their mountains and forests, lie splendid lakes and marshes. You pass lovely villages like Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, and the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Lagnieu. At Lagnieu Bridge, follow the D 1075 and D 65 to join La-Balme-les-Grottes, Be careful on the road (no signposting).
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
Cross "Le Pays des Couleurs" via Morestel along greenways and shared roads.The greenway between La Vallée Bleue and Lagnieu is signposted. At Lagnieu’s bridge, follow the D 1075 road, then the D 65, to reach La Balme-les-Grottes; note that this stretch isn’t signposted yet.
Alternative options
Groslée <> Sault-Brénaz: follow the D 19 road, physically demanding, with lots of traffic.
Lagnieu <> La Balme-les-Grottes: along grassy tracks that you join by turning right after crossing Lagnieu’s bridge (hybrid bike required).
Train stations:
Please note, there are no trains directly along the route for this stage.
Nearest train stations:
Ambérieu-en-Bugey
13 km from Saint-Sorlin en Bugey
11 km from Lagnieu
15 km from la Balme-les-Grottes
- TER line 35 : Chambéry > Culoz > Ambérieu-en-Bugey > Lyon
- TER line 4 : Annecy > Aix-les-Bains > Saint-André-le-Gaz > Lyon Part Dieu > Ambérieu-en-Bugey
- TER line 3 : Saint-Gervais – Evian – Genève > Bellegarde > Culoz > Ambérieu-en-Bugey > Lyon Part Dieu
- TER line 30 : Mâcon > Bourg-en-Bresse > Ambérieu-en-Bugey
Saint-André-le-Gaz: 19 km from Morestel
- TER line 54 : Chambéry > Lyon
- TER line 62 : Grenoble > Saint-André-le-Gaz
- TER line 4 : Annecy > Aix-les-Bains > Lyon
- TER line 1 : Grenoble > Bourgoin-Jallieu > Lyon
Tourist Offices:
- Pérouges Bugey Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)9 67 12 70 84
- Bugey Sud Grand Colombier Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 79 81 29 06
- Les Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office in Morestrel Tel. +33 (0)4 74 80 19 59
- Vallée Bleue leisure centre information point Tel. +33 (0)4 74 88 49 23
Don't miss:
Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey: a medieval village with castle
Morestel: a well-flowered historic town that has traditionally attracted painters. It’s a lively place, with numerous historic buildings, shops and exhibitions.
Grottes de la Balme: these conceal stalagmites and stalgatites as well as natural bassins of water. A Balcons du Rhône heritage site.
La Vallée Bleue: a big outdoor sports and recreation centre at Montalieu Vercieu
Briord: with a Roman aqueduct
Serrières-de-Briord: for Le Point-Vert outdoor sports and recreation centre
Markets:
Sault-Brénaz: Thursday morning
Morestel: Sunday morning
Refreshments
We cycled June and passed a few refreshment stops on route although did take a sandwich. The towns we cycled through had French opening hours so shops shut at 12. The Grottes well worth seeing.