Hiking around Geneva

City of Geneva is surrounded by majestic mountains offering escape from busy city, worth visiting - you are at the perfect hub for hiking. The easiest destination is Saleve, which is right at the south of Geneva, where You can even climb (600 attitude meters) or come up and walk around.

Another close hiking paradise are Jura mountains west from Geneva.

Only one hour drive by car towards south-east are French Alps, biggest mountains in Europe, with dozens spots to go and hundreds hike trails. Among them all stand proud Mont Blanc (4810), the biggest mountain in Europe.

Tips:

• Some touristy places, such as Chamonix, are served by airport shuttles, for most destinations you will need a car. Rent a car here.
• Never get lost! Suggested application for car navigation is Navigator, which after downloading map data works offline. Smartphone application MAPS.ME come with most up to date maps (also works offline) and also covers all the hiking trails.

Mont Salève

The Saleve mountain is a popular tourist and sport lovers destination for a day trip as it is located only 12km south from Geneva.

Hike up to Saleve takes about 4 hours, while for those not favouring steep climbing it is also possible to take a cable car or drive a car up to the top of Saleve and then walk around the plateau, where there are plenty marked hiking trails - starting right after exiting the cable car.

Hikers will be rewarded by spectatular views overseeing Geneva and Geneva Lake. Restaurants at Mt. Saleve provides great refreshment.

La Clusaz

La Clusaz, one hour from Geneva, is popular skiing resort in winter and great hiking spot in summer months. Huge mountains and beautiful nature create nice scenery with many hiking trails.

Parking: Park the car right at the end of Les Confins willage, at
4997 Route des Confins, 74220, La Clusaz, France
GPS: 45.921419, 6.481468
Which is long wide road with plenty of parking place.

Activities: Golf, Mini Golf,

From parking lot above, there is gentle and very easy walk to Cottage named Chalet de la Bombardellaz (1608m), with it's restaurant serving meals, warm and cold drinks. If You are looking for challenge climb up hiking trail to Lac de Tardevant (2160).
Plenty of other market trails as well, and in nice days, quite a lot of tourists around.

Sur Cou

If you want to go deep into mountains but not as far as alps, try Sur Cou hiking trail. Come by car to this free parking lot:

Route du Boissonnet, Saint-Sixt, France
GPS: 46.027440, 6.323975

Where is also a bar and restaurant playground for children as well as big slide. Little under the parking lot (on left side) starts road going up the short hill going into forest, where starts the marked hike trail. Another option for parking is at 46.009844, 6.342178 which is closer to hiking trail start.
The difficulty is high as trail goes steep uphill, but views overseeing majestic rocky mountains are worth it.
On the open meadows on the top of the hill you might spot herds of cows - keep the dogs on the leash!
Mountain Chalet in the halfway, at 46.009844, 6.342178 serves food and refreshements.

For longer trips, check out our weekend trips section.