Malseroud marsh and pond

An easy hike to discover the wealth of biological species (fauna, flora) in the river, pond and wet meadows.

Follow the yellow markers and the crossroads :
FITILIEU > Château de Donat > Les Bruniaux > FITILIEU

Access via Les Abrets-Fitilieu train station (+2km round trip).

Take a narrow country road through the forest, then a wide track through more open countryside to reach the marshes, where you will pass alongside the river Bourbre on your left. The track is often shaded at this point. You pass a number of farms and arrive at the ‘Château de Donat’.

Take the path to the right and turn left to see the beautiful brick tower, the last remaining evidence of the residence built around 1870.

Continue as far as the Malseroud pond, classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. This wetland area is ideal for observing birds (coots, grebes, herons), dragonflies, frogs and more. You can walk around the pond. An educational booklet is available from the Tourist Office and at www.tourisme-valsdududauphine.fr. Dogs must be kept on a lead around the pond to preserve the tranquillity of the species.

On the way back, the paths and small country roads wind through cultivated fields and small copses to take you back to ‘Les Bruniaux’. Then cross the village to return to the start.

This loop is very pleasant in summer, but not recommended in the wet season (November to April), as the paths through the marshes are often muddy.