Walk along the Arve river: From Annemasse to La Jonction in Geneva

Last fall, I went on a walk along the Arve river, from Annemasse (Haute-Savoie) to La Jonction in Geneva.

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

The Arve is a river that flows mostly in France, starting below Tête de Balme in the Chamonix valley. For the last few kilometers, it passes through Geneva on the way to La Jonction, where the river merges with the Rhône. I had already walked alongside it on the French side, in Chamonix or in Bonneville. This time, I walked the Swiss part. There is no standard trail like there is for the Rhône (Sentier du Rhône): Instead, there is a series of paths to take in order to reach the confluence and I had to cross the river a few times. In any case, the paths are mostly under shade or in parks so it is quite a pleasant walk.

In the morning, I took a train from Annecy to Annemasse. From the train station, I walked to the bank of the Arve river. I then started on the trail along the river, switching side from time to time to try to keep on the most pleasant path. Starting at Parc Noie-tes-Puces in Carouge, the walk was in the city, although even then, there were a few parts with a ground path along the river. Finally, I arrived at La Jonction, just in time for sunset. After that, I crossed the Rhône using Viaduc de la Jonction then headed for Quai du Seujet, where I waited for the LIHSA T72 bus back to Annecy.

Above, SNCF train station in Annecy.

Above, Église Saint-Joseph on the way to the Arve.

Above, Place des Marchés.

Above, Église Saint-André.

Above, Arve seen from Pont d’Étrembières.

Above, on a trail along the river.

Above, Petit Salève above.

Above, Monts Jura to the north, with a pumpkin patch in the foreground.

Above, crossing the Arve on Pont de Zone, looking towards Geneva.

Above, pond in Les Îles, a nature reserve in Étrembières below the Salève.

Above, still following the Arve.

Above, stone at the border with Geneva.

Above, vineyard.

Above, Pont de Sierne.

Above, a sign being eaten by a tree.

Above, arriving at the hydroelectric Centrale de Vessy.

Above, fish ladder.

Above, exhibition hall.

Above, in Centre Sportif de Vessy in Veyrier.

Above, Salève.

Above, below Pont de Vessy.

Above, crossing the Arve again.

Above, running tracks in Centre Sportif du Bout-du-Monde.

Above, Pont du Val d’Arve.

Above, Pont des Artisanes and Tour de Champel. The bridge was built recently for the CEVA trains.

Above, looking back at Pont des Artisanes from Pont de la Fontenette.

Above, crow at Parc Noie-tes-Puces.

Above, Pont de Carouge.

Above, sidewalk on Quai du Cheval-Blanc.

Above, cliffs of Salève.

Above, below Pont des Acacias.

Above, Pont Hans-Wilsdorf and Tour RTS.

Above, crossing the bridge.

Above, Oeil d’Arve by Arnold Goldschmid on Quai Ernest-Ansermet.

Above, below Pont de Saint-Georges.

Above, Passerelle du Bois-de-la-Bâtie.

Above, arriving at Pointe de la Jonction.

Above, Falaises de Saint-Jean on the other side of the Rhône.

Above, last rays of sunlight behind Viaduc de la Jonction.

Above, the grayish Arve water mixing with the Rhône.

Above, looking towards Quai du Seujet from Sentier des Saules.

Above, TPG bus depot.

Above, final crossing of the Arve on the way to Bois-de-la-Bâtie.

Above, the most direct path to Viaduc de la Jonction was blocked because of maintenance so I had to make a big detour.

Above, Alps seen from the viewpoint of Bois-de-la-Bâtie.

Above, I made a quick foray into Parc aux Animaux.

Above, Viaduc de la Jonction.

Above, Pont Butin.

Above, Arve and Pointe de la Jonction.

Above, giant rubber duck in the playground of Parc Cayla / Promeneur Solitaire.

Above, night in Rue de Saint-Jean.