The water paths

This easy walk to explore the ponds offers unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. The circuit mainly follows paths alternating between small woods and farmland.

ROUTE

After passing through the village of La Chapelle de la Tour, you will reach the Petite Commune educational pond, an ideal place to take a break and have a picnic, with plenty of shade and two tables.

Then continue on to the Feuillée pond, classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. This site, consisting of wet meadows, ponds, reed beds, and wet woodlands, is home to the marsh copper butterfly, a protected species, as well as two protected plants, the marsh peucedan and the loose-flowered orchid.

Take the path that leads to the Bois de Salérieu. Towards Le Rompay, you can enjoy a panoramic view (from left to right: the peaks of Bugey, Monts du Chat, Chartreuse).

The circuit then follows the dyke of the former large Dolomieu pond, which was drained during the Revolution. After passing the hamlet of Le Dran, you return to the village via a forest path (often wet from November to May) which provides a little coolness in summer. You then pass close to the former water catchments that supplied drinking water to La Tour-du-Pin.

Once you reach the bottom of the village, the hike ends with a 300m climb before returning to the car park.

For the curious, it is possible to climb to the top of the church tower to admire the landscape (contact the town hall in advance).


WAYMARKING AND SIGNPOSTING

From the car park, follow yellow signs and the following signposts:
Petite Commune > Etang de la Feuillée > Bois de Salérieu > Croix Droguet > Le Rompay > Les Communes > retour LA CHAPELLE DE LA TOUR
From the parking lot, take the time to admire the pretty communal oven before enjoying the panoramic view of the Vercors and Chartreuse mountains. Don't forget to take a look at the unique church with its square tower.