Explore the Dauphiné Heritage:
Discover the rich mining and industrial history of the Matheysine region through our self-guided walking tours. Download free GPX tracks and maps to explore historic trails, miner towns, and alpine landscapes at your own pace. (Note: Detailed background articles are in French).
Nestled between alpine peaks, high-altitude lakes, and valleys steeped in history, the Dauphiné region is best explored on foot. Beyond the main thoroughfares and postcard-perfect views, the true spirit of our region is found along local paths, old railway lines, or the quiet streets of former mining towns.
Our heritage trails are designed to guide you step-by-step through this local history. Whether you are learning about the layout of an old working-class neighborhood, deciphering the remains of an industrial site, or admiring small rural landmarks like fountains, historic washhouses, and chapels, each route invites you to observe what time has left behind.
Lace up your hiking shoes, grab your camera, and let us guide you through history.
1. Why explore our discovery trails?
Our routes are more than just hikes: they are open-air cultural journeys.
Heritage on a human scale: We focus on accessible loop trails, designed for families and curious walkers alike, to discover the local heritage often missed from the road.
Where nature and history meet: Each trail connects preserved natural areas to major historical points of interest (industrial ruins, religious buildings, and vernacular architecture).
A slow travel approach: Taking the time to stop at an interpretive sign, read the landscape, and understand how a village has evolved over the centuries.
2. The Interactive Map: Find your next hike
Select a route on the map to view its details (distance, elevation gain, duration), see its path, and access the detailed article containing the step-by-step historical guide.
Note : Le mot « hike » (randonnée) a été choisi pour « balade » car les notions de « circuit » et « dénivelé » (elevation gain) correspondent généralement à cette activité en anglais américain. Si le contexte concerne des promenades plus urbaines ou plates, vous pouvez remplacer « hike » par « walk ».
3. Focus: The Mining Heritage of Matheysine
For more than a century, the Matheysine plateau was the beating heart of anthracite mining in the Dauphiné region. This industrial activity deeply shaped the landscapes, urban development, and social fabric of the local communities. Our first two tours take you in the footsteps of this working-class saga.
Susville Circuit: Between Mine Shafts and Worker Housing Estates
| Feature | Susville Itinerary Details |
| Theme | Discovering mining housing and the paternalistic organization of the mining company |
| Starting Location | Town of Susville (hamlets and former mining estates) |
| Distance | Approx. 2.8 miles (4.5 km) |
| Duration | 1 hour 45 mins to 2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy (family-friendly) |
| GPS Coordinates (Parking) | Latitude: 44.929944 / Longitude: 5.774174 |
| Major Points of Interest | • La Cité du Villaret: Worker housing urban planning, rows of miners’ cottages, the former school, and community spaces. • Puits des Rioux (Rioux Shaft): A monument to the local technical history of mining. • The Natural Heritage of La Jonche: A mountain stream once harnessed to meet the needs of the mining industry. |
| GPX Track | Full track available for download |
La Motte d’Aveillans Trail: The Cradle of « La Mine Image »
| Feature | La Motte d’Aveillans Trail Details |
| Description | La Motte d’Aveillans holds a unique place in mining history, hosting the region’s primary underground memorial site. This loop invites you to discover the daily lives of the « gueules noires » (coal miners), both above and below ground. |
| Distance | Approx. 3.2 miles (5.2 km) |
| Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Parking Coordinates | To be determined |
| Key Points of Interest | • The « La Mine Image » site: A historic underground museum set inside former mining tunnels.
• La Cité de la Motte and its church: Featuring characteristic 19th-century architecture linked to the development of the mining concession. • Railway remnants: Traces of the famous La Mure Railway (SGLM) line, one of the first electrified railway lines in the world used for transporting coal. |
| Downloads (GPX) | • Route / Trail map… |
Circuit d’Oris en Ratier une mine oublié
Circuit de Puteville La Pierre Percée
4. How to make the most of our guides and GPX tracks?
To ensure your exploration goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips:
-
Downloading the tracks: On each trail page, you will find a link to download the GPX file for free. You can then import it onto your smartphone or GPS hiking watch.
-
Reading the landscape: Our detailed articles include historical photos to help you compare today’s landscape with how it looked in the early 20th century.
-
Respecting the sites: Some ruins or historic neighborhoods are located near private residences. Thank you for respecting the peace and quiet of local residents as you pass through.
5. Calling all enthusiasts! Let’s enrich our heritage trails together
Showcasing our heritage is, first and foremost, a collective human adventure. Do you know of a forgotten historical trail? Do you have family stories or old photographs of Susville, La Motte d’Aveillans, or other towns in the Dauphiné region?
We are looking for:
-
Suggestions for new heritage walking trails in the area.
-
Period documents (vintage postcards, firsthand accounts from miners or local residents).
-
Enthusiasts ready to help write historical profiles or share GPX tracks.
Contact us to get involved in the project or to suggest a trail!
6. Frequently Asked Questions: Preparing for Your Discovery Tour in Matheysine
1. What do the Matheysine discovery tours consist of?
These themed routes are designed to help you explore the natural heritage and mining history of the Dauphiné region. Each discovery trail is completely independent, allowing you to explore them separately, at your own pace, and based on your interests, with no obligation to complete them in any specific order.
2. What are the major historical landmarks to see on these routes?
Depending on the self-guided tour you choose, you can discover:
The Giroud School-Gallery in Susville (miners’ apprenticeship).
The Clos Mine in Pierre-Châtel (hillside gallery and its slag heap).
La Pierre Percée in Pierre-Châtel (a natural arch listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Dauphiné).
The Oris-en-Rattier Mines (artisanal mountain mining).
The La Mine Image Museum in La Motte-d’Aveillans (reconstructed underground galleries).
3. What is the difficulty and duration of these routes?
The overall difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. Since each route is independent, each has its own guide sheet detailing its estimated duration (from a few minutes of observation to several hours of walking) and specific distance to help you plan your customized outing.
4. How do I get the GPX tracks for the different hikes?
You can directly download the GPX track for each individual route from the dedicated sections on our page:
Oris-en-Rattier GPX Track
La Motte d’Aveillans GPX Track
Susville Track
5. Can you enter the old mine tunnels visible along the trails?
No. For obvious safety reasons, all the historic outdoor mine tunnels (such as those at the Mine du Clos or in Oris-en-Rattier) have been permanently sealed and secured. Additionally, they are frequently located on private property. The only site where you can walk through actual, secured, and developed mine tunnels is the La Mine Image museum in La Motte-d’Aveillans.
6. How are departures organized, and where can you park to start a tour?
Since each discovery trail is an independent route, each has its own dedicated starting parking lot. Access information and GPS coordinates are provided on the details sheet for each itinerary. For example, for the trail leading to Pierre Percée and the Mine du Clos, parking and the starting point are located at the parking lot in the hamlet of Puteveille.