Le Bessat - Le Grand Bois (700 - 1308 m)

Located 20 minutes from Saint-Étienne and one hour from Lyon, Le Bessat - Le Grand Bois sits in the heart of the Pilat Regional Natural Park between 700 and 1,308 meters altitude. A Nordic resort par excellence, this family-friendly area offers a pristine natural setting with hectares of pine forests and vast green spaces, ideal for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature lovers.

For cross-country skiing, the area offers 35 kilometers of groomed, marked and secured trails for both classic and skating techniques, including 1 green trail of 4.6 kilometers, 1 blue trail of 7.1 kilometers, 1 red trail of 9.2 kilometers and 1 black trail of 14.5 kilometers starting from the Croix de Chaubouret. All levels can enjoy a safe environment with daily grooming, featuring a beginner area at Le Tremplin for novices. The area is accessible via three entry points: Croix de Chaubouret, Le Tremplin at Le Bessat, and Trois Croix at Col de la République on the RD1082, open daily from 9am to 5pm depending on snow conditions.

Additionally, the area offers 13 kilometers of groomed and marked discovery trails reserved for snowshoeing, classic skiing, pedestrians and leashed dogs, with 4 routes ranging from 2 to 12 kilometers of progressive difficulty. A free toboggan area is available at Le Tremplin with a picnic room, perfect for families. The area also features a ludoski space at Croix de Chaubouret equipped with rope tows for alpine skiing instruction, as well as guided outings led by state-certified instructors and snowshoe orienteering courses.

Easily accessible by public transport from Saint-Étienne and Lyon, Le Bessat - Le Grand Bois represents the ideal destination for a nature outing with family or friends, featuring affordable rates and an authentic setting in the heart of the Pilat massif crossed by the GR7 and GR42 hiking trails.