Ain
Halfway between Lyon and Geneva, the Ain opens the doors to a land of a thousand faces: generous nature, breathtaking vistas, villages with character, authentic gastronomy, a history rich in emotion...
Whether you're a seasoned hiker, an occasional walker or an itinerant traveler, the Ain offers hundreds of signposted trails to suit all levels.
To the east, the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park invites you to discover this high-altitude territory, home to the highest peaks in the Jura massif, such as Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m) and Reculet (1,717 m). In this unspoilt nature reserve, hikes take in spectacular balconies with views of Lake Geneva and... Mont Blanc, for an experience that combines elevation gain and wonder.
And for a natural immersion in biodiversity, discover the Ain's 39 Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS), true refuges for flora and fauna.
Activities in the Ain
Attractions in the Ain
Highlights
From the village of Chaneins, set out to discover the sensitive natural area of étang Prêle and its ecosystem. Several castles, including Château ...
5 days of itinerant hiking between the Retord plateau and the Jura Mountains ridges.
Difficult route due to its distance and elevation gain, but allowing riding on different types of surfaces, with technical sections without danger.
The walk begins along the Gardon at the entrance of Vareilles. The heritage trail explains the history of the neighborhood up to Lac Bleu.
The Grand 8 de l'Ain Jura Sud is a classic for cyclosportifs. A 2-loop itinerary that takes in the greatest passes of the Bugey and Pays de Gex ...
Hike starting from Virieu-le-Grand leading to the impressive Clairefontiane waterfall.
Exceptional geological site of limestone rock. The ideal place to search for fossils! Fun and explanatory stations guide you in discovering the ...
A walking route between Saint-Marcel and the Grand Birieux Natural Sensitive Area. Don't forget your binoculars!
The Dombes and its thousand ponds offer visitors an unexpected landscape rich in birdlife. This hike leads you to the Vernange Sensitive Natural ...
Hike in the local nature of Valromey following a peaceful river, an emerald source and several local heritage monuments.
Discover the region
Steeped in unspoilt open spaces, the Ain has become one of the most attractive nature destinations, offering the perfect combination of outdoor activities: cycling, mountain biking, hiking...
Contemplation and hiking: soak up the natural landscapes of the Ain!
Enter the Ain department and lace up your hiking boots to discover the local treasures. On the mountain side, Ain is home to the highest peaks of the Jura Massif in the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, offering vast panoramic views of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. On the plains, the Ain is home to hidden treasures such as the thousand ponds of the Dombes and the Bresse bocage...
With 39 Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS), the Ain boasts an exceptional wealth of ecological, geological and landscape biodiversity. The upper Ain valley, the lakes of Haut-Bugey, the waterfalls of Bugey, forests and marshes, gorges and wild rivers... every step of the way brings you closer to a region where nature expresses itself to the full.
The Ain is a veritable paradise for hikers, with over 100 "top" routes to discover, ranging from simple 2 km strolls suitable for families to long-distance itineraries for experienced hikers.
To find and even create the itinerary you're looking for, go to ain-outdoor.fr.
Micro-adventure: go roaming!
Want to get away from it all? Try a micro-adventure for a weekend (or more) and discover the Ain in a whole new way.
On routes of 45 to 60 km spread over three days, you can explore a mosaic of landscapes: Cerdon vineyards, the Grand Colombier massif (1501 m), panoramic views of the Rhône valley and the Alps, typical Bugey hamlets and Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS)...
Pack your backpacks and set off on a 3-day tour of Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS)!
Extend your adventure over several days!
Keen walkers will also be delighted by the GR® and GR® de Pays trails, which offer 3- to 7-day loops through the southern slopes of the Jura massif, as well as the famous routes to Santiago de Compostela and Assisi. These routes are rich in meaning, and will take you far beyond the borders of the département.
A train's reach: set off on an adventure from a station platform!
Thanks to a network of well-connected stations from Lyon and Geneva (or elsewhere!), all you need is a train ticket and a pair of shoes to escape to the Ain. Once off the train, selected itineraries start less than 45 minutes' walk from the station. Solo, duo or family, set off on a half-day loop or a multi-day adventure, all using soft mobility.
On the program: country lanes in the Val de Saône, forest paths along the Rhône, climbs to the heights of Bugey or the Retord plateau, to the grandiose panoramas of the Grand Colombier... A diversity of landscapes accessible in complete freedom, without a car!
What if your next breath of fresh air started on a station platform? From Lyon or Geneva, set off on a car-free adventure with our selection of hikes accessible by train. In less than an hour by ...
A breath of fresh air: hike along the river!
Rich in lakes, ponds, rivers and other bodies of water, Ain is the department with the most freshwater in mainland France. It is bounded by the Rhône (to the east and south) and the Saône (to the west). The River Ain crosses the department from north to south, dividing it into plains and mountains...
Contemplating waterfalls
Between the Glandieu waterfall, accessible via ViaRhôna, the Cerveyrieu waterfall, the department's most remarkable 60 m waterfall, and the Charabotte waterfall, classified as an "Artistic Natural Monument", the Ain region, and in particular the Bugey Sud region, offers breathtaking natural spectacles, punctuated by the clash of water against rock.e "Monument naturel de caractère artistique", the Ain region, and in particular the Bugey Sud region, offers breathtaking natural spectacles punctuated by the crash of water against rock.
Admire the wild rivers
Renowned for its vast natural spaces and beautiful landscapes, the Ain also stands out for the quality of its environment.
Five of the thirty French rivers with the"Rivières Sauvages®" label are in the Ain(the Valserine, Dorches, Vézéronce, Arvière and Pernaz). These rivers offer a wide range of activities, whether on foot, by bike or in a canoe for thrill-seekers.
Swimming in a natural lake
And to take it a step further, trade in your sneakers for handlebars!
The Ain is not just a hiking region, it's also a cycling destination par excellence, with over 4704 km of signposted mountain bike, gravel and cyclo routes.
The 3 mountain bike / gravel areas
- France's 3rd-largest mountain biking area in the heart of the Ain mountains: resolutely positioned for "mountain biking pleasure", theVTT-FFC Ain-Forestière is a paradise for nature lovers and contemplative hikers. With almost 1,500 km and 100 signposted trails at altitudes of between 300 and 1,500 m, it delivers on its promise of escapism through typically Jura northern landscapes.
- L'VTT-FFCT Revermontoffers a playground of over 600 km (31 trails) for mountain bikers, from the most technical to the most accessible.
- L'VTT-FFCT Montrevel-en-Bresseis located in the heart of the Bresse region around the Plaine Tonique leisure park, a 140-hectare site with five interconnected lakes and a 4-star campsite. 900 km (28 trails) of easy circuits, accessible even to families, let you discover all the charm of Bresse.
Bike routes
From simple strolls to major itineraries, from positive gradients to gentler routes, the Ain has something for every cycling adventure plan, allowing you to explore its landscapes while enjoying the activities and sites to visit.
1,704 km of signposted routes :
- La Voie Bleue® On its southern section, from Mâcon to Lyon, this itinerary runs for over 80 km along the banks of the Saône river, offering the chance to experience the guinguette spirit in one of the many restaurants. A safe itinerary with no gradients, accessible to all.
- L'Ain à Vélo® Whether you're looking for a multi-day tour or a bike ride lasting just a few hours, this network of itineraries, currently under development, offers a variety of little-traveled routes to discover the tourist attractions and natural heritage of the Ain region.
- ViaRhôna® The Léman - Lyon section of ViaRhôna® (Euro Vélo 17 from Léman to the Mediterranean) flirts with the Ain département over more than 250 km through the Savoie and Bugey regions, offering surprising natural discoveries: vineyards, lakes, marshes... And for gourmets, take advantage of your trip through Bugey to discover its AOC vineyards!
- Visit Grandes traversées du Jura GTJ® (Jura Crossings) The GTJ® are a collection of itineraries designed for cyclosportifs! In the Ain region, the GTJ® cyclo stages start from the Valserine valley to Valserhône, before tackling the Col de Cuvéry ascent to reach the Plateau de Retord.... The route promises breathtaking panoramas.
To find the cycling route that suits you best, explore the website ain-outdoor.fr.
Challenge the region's mountain passes
Pass hunters and keen cyclists will find something to suit them with 18 proposed climbs in the Ain mountains, with the added bonus of the Grand Colombier (1501 m). Each climb offers a unique experience, rewarded at the summit by spectacular 360° panoramas of the Alps or the peaks of the Jura Massif.
L'AIN DESTINATION VELO A 360° 18 cycling passes stretching from Revermont in the west to Bugey and Pays de Gex, with as many exceptional panoramic views from the summits! This unique collection is ...
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