Hike to Le Môle
At the end of spring, I went on a hike to Le Môle, in the Chablais Alps above Bonneville.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
That day, I had actually planned to go hiking above Sallanches. However, there was a general failure with the train network in the area and I couldn’t have made it in time for the connecting LIHSA bus. So instead, once at La Roche-sur-Foron, I took a replacement bus and got off at Bonneville, a few stations further. Once there, I first made a detour to have a look at the river Arve and Pont de l’Europe, then started on the path. I first walked mostly on the paved road until a place called Les Gallinons, above Bonneville. I then entered the forest and took a trail through Le Pertus, in order to reach Chez Béroud, which is the usual starting point of the hike to Le Môle. There is a large car park, as well as a hostel open during summer. From there, I took a dirt road that led to the chalets at Le Petit Môle (Small Môle) and then a mountain trail until the summit of Le Môle (1863m). There was a great view from up there: The Chablais Alps, the Salève, Lake Geneva, the Bornes mountains and the Mont Blanc could all be seen. I ate lunch and headed to the cross at the second summit nearby. I then started on the steep way down to Marignier through Les Granges. I finally walked to the train station in order to take the train back to La Roche-sur-Foron and Annecy.
Above, looking at Montagne de Bellajoux while waiting for a connecting train (which never came) at La Roche-sur-Foron.
Above, highway bus station in Bonneville, looking at Le Môle.
Above, Pointe d’Andey.
Above, river Arve and Pont de l’Europe. The Colonne de Charles-Félix (Column of Charles-Félix) can be seen on the other side of the bridge.
Above, at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, in the center of Bonneville.
Above, Eglise Sainte-Catherine.
Above, one of the metal sculptures by Charles Stratos.
Above, Château des Sires de Faucigny, a medieval castle. It was recently restored and is open to visitors during summer.
Above, Le Môle, with Château Les Tours in the foreground.
Above, WW2 Memorial next to the road.
Above, short forest trail called Chemin de la Résistance.
Above, Chaîne du Bargy and Pointe d’Andey.
Above, Montagne de Bellajoux in the Bornes mountains.
Above, Bargy.
Above, start of the trail to Chez Béroud through Le Pertus.
Above, Vierge du Pertus, inside a cavity cut into the cliff.
Above, Vallée de l’Arve below.
Above, Le Môle.
Above, at Chez Béroud.
Above, start of the trail to Le Petit Môle. It follows a dirt road.
Above, Le Môle.
Above, at Chalets de la Ravire on Le Petit Môle (Small Môle).
Above, the bigger Môle above.
Above, cross above the valley.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, Bonneville below.
Above, Bargy.
Above, Pointe d’Andey.
Above, Rochers de l’Aigle, with the Salève in the background.
Above, Faucigny.
Above, the town of Cluses.
Above, Rionffer.
Above, on the path to Le Môle.
Above, other chalets on Le Petit Môle.
Above, Faucigny.
Above, Lake Geneva in the background.
Above, Tête de l’Ecutieux.
Abvoe, Pic de Jallouvre.
Above, Rochers de l’Aigle.
Above, Mont Blanc.
Above, Les Voirons.
Above, last stretch before the summit ridge.
Above, trail to the summit.
Above, Chablais Alps.
Above, cross on the other side.
Above, bench at the summit.
Above, Faucigny.
Above, Mont Orchez.
Above, Pointe de Perret and Pointe de Marcelly.
Above, Lake Geneva and Les Voirons.
Above, Pointe des Brasses.
Above, Pointe d’Andey and Montagne de Bellajoux. La Tournette can be seen in the background.
Above, Pointe Percée and the Aravis in the background.
Above, on the path to the cross.
Above, looking back towards the summit.
Above, cross at the top of the second summit of Le Môle.
Above, Cluses and Mont Blanc.
Above, on the way down to Marignier.
Above, Les Granges.
Above, looking back.
Above, Rionffer.
Above, steep trail down.
Above, Mont Orchez.
Above, Le Petit Môle below.
Above, chalets at Les Granges.
Above, Abondance cattle.
Above, Le Môle.
Above, Pointe de Marcelly.
Above, the forest trail down to Marignier was very steep and went on forever.
Above, in Marignier.
Above, tower of Église Saint-Maurice.
Above, Mont Orchez.
Above, river Giffre, flowing towards the Arve.
Above, train station in Marignier.
Above, back at La Roche-sur-Foron.
Above, waiting for the bus back to Annecy.