Hike to Salève: From Col du Mont Sion to Etrembières
Earlier this year, I went on a hike to Salève, a mountain in the Jura that overlooks the south-west side of Geneva but is actually located in Haute-Savoie. There are many trails to reach the plateau at the top of Salève and walk on once up there. For myself, I decided to cross the mountain along its length, starting from Col du Mont Sion and finishing at Etrembières.
I took this hike report as an inspiration but, in the end, I walked the following path (download KML):
Starting in Annecy in the morning, I took a LIHSA bus to Geneva (T72 line) and got off at the “Saint-Blaise Mont-Sion” stop, in front of the Hameau du Père Noël (Santa Claus Village). From the Col du Mont Sion, I started walking up towards Saint-Blaise in order to find a trail to get to the plateau. After some time in the forest, I reached a pasture and kept going up, to Plan du Salève. There was a great view from there: Bornes mountains and Mont Blanc on one side, Jura on the other. Soon after, I arrived at the Grand Piton. At 1379m, it is the highest point of Salève. Geneva and its lake could be seen from the summit. Then, I kept walking through pastures until Col de la Croisette, where I took a trail called La Corraterie: It is a narrow path at the foot of cliffs. Very impressive. I then made my way towards the cable car station. There were a lot more people there. Finally, I started on the descent: I first walked down to Monnetier, then took the “Sentier des Voûtes” trail to reach the Château d’Etrembières (Etrembières Castle).
Going back to Annecy was a bit involved: First, I had to take a local bus to “Veyrier Douane” where I crossed into Switzerland, then boarded a TPG bus to the center of Geneva. Finally, I took a LIHSA bus to Annecy.
Above, at Col du Mont Sion.
Above, Christmas tree at the Hameau du Père Noël.
Above, snow on the Jura mountains.
Above, contrails.
Above, Saint-Blaise.
Above, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman).
Above, pasture.
Above, Bornes and Bauges mountains.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, Plan du Salève.
Above, Grand Crêt d’Eau.
Above, Grand Piton.
Above, on the ascent to the Grand Piton.
Above, limestone pavement.
Above, Tour Bastian, a watchtower.
Above, view of Lake Geneva and the rest of Salève from the tower.
Above, city of Geneva.
Above, Crêt de la Neige (Jura).
Above, back to walking on pastures, looking towards Chavanne.
Above, some snow left.
Above, at Col de la Croisette.
Above cliffs of La Corraterie.
Above, Trou de la Tine from above.
Above, on La Corraterie trail.
Above, Trou de la Tine from below.
Above, Trou de la Tine from the trail.
Above, the left side of the trail.
Above, painted flag of Savoie facing Geneva.
Above, looking back at the Grand Piton.
Above, at Col de la Grande Gorge.
Above, viewpoint on the Alps.
Above, Les Voirons.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, Le Mole.
Above, telecom antenna.
Above, Salève observatory.
Above, Pays de Gex.
Above, Geneva.
Above, Schedrub Choekhor Ling, a Tibetan buddhist monastery.
Above, cable car station.
Above, on the way down to Monnetier.
Above, in Monnetier, with the Petit Salève in the background.
Above, on the Sentier des Voûtes.
Above, Jet d’Eau.
Above, narrow path.
Above, Château d’Entrembières.
Above, the cliffs of Petit Salève.
Above, the cable car station seen from “Veyrier Douane”.
Above, Horloge Fleurie in the Jardin Anglais in Geneva.
Above, Jet d’Eau.
Above, Pont du Mont Blanc.
