Hiking

HIKING SALEVE

Salève is a hiking hotspot in Haute-Savoie and an unforgettable playground for anyone who loves mountain landscapes. From Sunday walkers to keen ramblers, there are countless routes so everyone can find the right hike for them. That said, you must be prepared for your hike.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A unique site between the city and mountain
  • An activity suitable for all ages
  • Our professional paragliding team

A. PAS DE L’ÉCHELLE TRAIL

A sporty hike with history ! This hike is the perfect way to get an insight into the exciting history of Salève and its cable car. Start at the lower station and go up a staircase with 119 steps carved into the rock. Walk up to the top on paths that the electric rack railway once used. The rack railway took residents and tourists from Geneva to the top of Salève between 1893 and 1935. When you reach the cable car’s upper station, you can drink in views of the Geneva area, Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains.

NB : Not suitable for families with young children. This is a steep route, it is not suitable for everyone. Slippery paths when wet.

INFORMATION
  • Difficulty : Expert
  • Elevation : +665 m (432m > 1097m)
  • Duration : 2.5 hrs
  • Distance : 5 km

Photos for reference only

B. OBSERVATORY TRAIL

A family outing suitable for little ones. Experience unspoilt nature among the meadows and forest on Salève. Feast your eyes on breathtaking landscapes between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc as you explore the marked trails. You may even run into some of the local residents: cows, sheep, donkeys etc.

NB : Several footpaths start at the Observatory so you can continue your adventure.

INFORMATION
  • Difficulty : Easy
  • Elevation : +153 m (1097m > 1250m)           
  • Duration : 30 min
  • Distance : 1.7 km

Photos for reference only

144. SALÈVE TRAIL

Start at Pont de Sierne bridge (Geneva) and cross the border to hook up with the Pas de l’Échelle trail. Visit schweizmobil.ch for further information

INFORMATION
  • Difficulty : Challenging
  • Elevation : +780m
  • Duration : 2 hr 40
  • Distance : 7 km

RECOMMENDATIONS

Call 112 for emergencies
Wear appropriate footwear
Respect private property and farmland
Do not feed the animals, keep dogs on a lead
Do not pick the flowers, just enjoy them
Take your litter home with you
No fires or wild camping

Things to see and do