Retenue du Dorlay, a region in the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes of France, offers diverse landscapes for outdoor activities. The area is defined by the Dorlay River, a tributary of the Gier, and the serene 20-hectare body of water formed by the Dorlay Dam. This setting provides varied terrain, from lush river valleys to higher elevations, suitable for several sports like road cycling, hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
133
Routes
4.6
(238)
Average rating
2579
People visited

4.7
(33)
233
hikers
19.1km
06:26
960m
960m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(13)
47
hikers
17.1km
05:55
890m
890m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.9
(10)
33
hikers
5.60km
02:09
370m
370m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.3
(22)
182
hikers
11.0km
04:02
660m
660m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
19
riders
35.7km
01:52
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(4)
179
riders
75.5km
04:10
1,560m
1,560m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.8
(4)
122
riders
49.6km
02:42
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

3.7
(6)
77
riders
48.9km
02:47
990m
990m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(1)
32
riders
24.8km
02:24
790m
790m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(7)
60
riders
48.0km
03:21
870m
870m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
23
riders
50.9km
04:59
1,240m
1,240m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

19
riders
27.5km
02:47
870m
870m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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23
runners
16.9km
02:07
550m
550m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
11.3km
01:30
310m
310m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
29.6km
03:55
1,120m
1,120m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

17
runners
13.4km
02:05
820m
820m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
21
riders
26.7km
03:02
980m
980m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(6)
48
riders
30.4km
03:24
1,160m
1,160m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
25
riders
24.1km
02:50
1,030m
1,030m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(2)
9
riders
33.3km
03:17
980m
980m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
10
riders
36.9km
03:13
990m
990m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
108km
08:37
2,450m
2,450m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
63.7km
05:08
1,260m
1,260m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Retenue du Dorlay offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region has 7 routes available, with an average rating of 4.55 stars from more than 72,000 visitors.
Yes, Retenue du Dorlay features road cycling routes that wind through the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat. Information on these routes can be found in the guide Road Cycling Routes around Retenue du Dorlay. The varied topography provides diverse cycling experiences.
The region offers numerous hiking trails with varied difficulty levels. Hikers can explore routes leading to natural features like the Cascade du Saut du Gier. Guides such as Waterfall hikes around Retenue du Dorlay and Easy hikes around Retenue du Dorlay provide more details.
Mountain biking is a popular activity in Retenue du Dorlay, particularly within the Pilat massif. The area offers a network of trails with diverse conditions, including technical sections. More information is available in the MTB Trails around Retenue du Dorlay guide.
Yes, Retenue du Dorlay offers family-friendly options, particularly for hiking. The guide Family-friendly hikes around Retenue du Dorlay highlights suitable routes. The serene environment around the Dorlay Dam is also conducive to leisurely family outings.
Key natural features include the Retenue du Dorlay (Dorlay Dam) itself, a 20-hectare body of water, and the Cascade du Saut du Gier waterfall. The Croix du Collet is a notable col in the Pilat, offering views and serving as a meeting point for outdoor enthusiasts. The Chirat Rochat provides views of the Pilat and the Rhône Valley.
The region has a rich industrial heritage, particularly in textile production. The Maison des Tresses et Lacets (House of Braids and Laces) is a museum showcasing this tradition and offering insight into local savoir-faire. Historical industrial buildings and hydraulic installations can still be seen along the Dorlay River.
Retenue du Dorlay is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 72,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The available routes have an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Komoot offers several guides for cycling in the area. These include Cycling around Retenue du Dorlay, Traffic-free bike rides around Retenue du Dorlay, and Gravel biking around Retenue du Dorlay. These guides cover various cycling styles and routes.
Information about the Retenue du Dorlay region can be found through the official channels of the surrounding regional park and municipality. The Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat's official website is www.parc-naturel-pilat.fr. The Mairie de La Terrasse-sur-Dorlay also provides local tourism information at www.la-terrasse-sur-dorlay.com.
Yes, Retenue du Dorlay offers routes suitable for jogging. The guide Running Trails around Retenue du Dorlay provides specific information on these trails. The natural environment around the dam is ideal for running.
Yes, some trails in Retenue du Dorlay are accessible via public transport. The guide Hikes from bus stations around Retenue du Dorlay details routes that start near bus stops. This allows for car-free exploration of the region.

