Eleven ponds trail

Dombes walk

Pond walks

Stroll among the Dombes ponds and succumb to the charm of their landscapes…

A walk along the edge of the ponds at Saint Nizier le Désert, alternating between dirt tracks and tarmac roads. There are two tricky sections (around 1.9 km on the road), but they’re well worth the effort to catch a glimpse of the egrets, herons, great crested grebes, ducks and swans.

Be aware that many ponds are under cultivation this year!

See on Visorando

Getting there

Walking route

by the ponds

12 km walk in St Nizier

Starting from the parking lot at the Nizière activity base in the village of Saint-Nizier-le-Désert.

Step 1

Go alongside the Laclet Pond and at the next intersection, turn right onto the D90 towards Marlieux and the traffic circle.

Continue straight ahead on the D90 road, still heading for Marlieux. When you reach the Clair Pond, turn right, towards “Les Petites Teppes-Les Cuirs” and continue to the Épansardières Pond intersection in the hamlet of Les Cuirs.

Step 2

Turn left, pass between two ponds then turn right. Continue along the Marcua, Neuf Léger and Jambre Ponds. The latter leads to a tarmac road. Turn right to reach the Lechères Pond. Follow it to the next intersection.

Step 3

Keep to the right and go around the pond. Then go alongside the Perchères Pond, turn right onto the D70B and continue to the Etang Neuf post. Turn right and continue to the hamlet of Trépet.

Step 4

Continue to Les Grassières. At Les Grassières farm, turn right between the farm and the barn. A few meters further on, turn left and walk alongside the hedge, then the Portery Pond to reach the northern corner of the Épansardières Pond.