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Circuit découverte : Le Salève

Road in Annemasse

62.9 km

Road

Easy

Departure

Annemasse
Difference in height

1369 m
Documentation
- GPX Trace
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

Accepted customers
- Individuals

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Points of interest

1 Observatory Viewing Point

2 L'Observatoire

3 Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Temple

4 West side of the Col de la Croisette

5 Le Grand Piton viewing point.

6 Le Grand Parc d'Andilly

7 Le Hameau du Père Noël

8 Maison du Salève

1 Observatory Viewing Point

Above the plain of the Genevois, an impressive view of Geneva harbour and its Jet d'Eau. The Jura in front of you.

2 L'Observatoire

At the summit of Mount Salève, the Observatoire offers you a traditional, simple but generous cuisine. Relax over a cup of real hot chocolate, just like you can at grandma's At the summit of Mount Salève and twenty minutes' walk from the cable car station, you will find what you need to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. In the sunshine or curled up on a sofa, you are guaranteed a relaxing time. And especially look out over the 360-degree view of our beautiful region.... Not to be missed!

3 Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Temple

Located on Mont Salève in Haute-Savoie, 25 mins from Geneva, the Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Monastery opened in September 2010 and was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 12 August 2011. Open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. The name given to it means ‘The Garden of the Wheel of the Dharma for Teaching and Practice’.

4 West side of the Col de la Croisette

This pass is an awesome steep gradient - just what climbers love! But don't forget to check out the vast panoramic view of the Geneva Basin and the Genevois area of Haute-Savoie, with the Jura range and the Crêt de la Neige in the distance.
Gradient: 10%

5 Le Grand Piton viewing point.

Le Grand Piton is the highest point of Le Salève offering a view mainly focused on the Genevois region and Jura. The tower was built between 1820 and 1830 by Claude-François Bastian, a wealthy notary and mayor of Frangy. Prior to the construction of this tower, this small plateau on the edge of the cliff, which features some of the Salève's finest lapiaz, was home to a 14th-century lookout post.
At the foot of the tower to the north-east, you can enjoy finding a cartouche engraved on the limestone with the names of Lord Byron and Lamartine.
Also on this site is Rocher de la Sorcière, a large limestone boulder popular with climbers, whose shape evokes a stern-looking old woman.

6 Le Grand Parc d'Andilly

It is in the middle of a magnificent forest that you will meet the scarecrows. These strange characters stay there all summer and invite us to discover their mysterious and entertaining world. Start by discovering a multitude of these chaps who share their daily life with us. Then, in the middle of hundreds of colourful flowers, all ages can have fun and a great laugh with a life-size game of snakes and ladders. Beware - the children are champions at this game. But revenge is possible with the giant Mikado! The day continues with lots of other discoveries: the giant and his rocking horses, the maze, a musical village…
A day out in a dreamy setting...
- 8 hectares of lush, green forest with a stream ""Le Nant Trouble""
- here and there shaded clearings and ponds
- home to some one hundred animals: pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, reindeer, geese, ducks...
Then it’s time for a show, with the owl contest or Amadeus, a musical show...
Snacks served in the tavern on-site or bring a picnic.

7 Le Hameau du Père Noël

Explore the home of Father Christmas and his elves, Mother Christmas, Father Whipper and the Attic of Dummies all year round! There is lots to do in this magical world at any time of year, but the magic of Christmas is always at the heart of everything. Father Christmas has chosen to live in Savoie and has opened his home to you. Find out about his daily life by visiting his workshop, kitchen and bedroom... Places that have until now been kept secret, but which are now unveiled before your very eyes...
A bit further on you enter another world, that of his twin brother, Father Whipper! Much nicer than he seems, he will also show you his clean and tidy home.
Finally, to complete the family, one of the Mother Christmases has opened the doors to her cottage to show you a third, feminine, world of Christmas.
Finally, the latest arrival, the Sandman has arranged an Attic of Dummies for Father Christmas which is completely dedicated to this childhood object.
To complete the magic, there is a crêperie and souvenir shop.
Open all year, don’t hesitate to check the opening times and seasonal events. Father Christmas, Mother Christmas and the Sandman appear regularly to meet you and tell plenty of stories.

8 Maison du Salève

Maison du Salève is a lively, friendly place where you can explore the history and heritage of the Salève mountain through exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, discovery trails, lectures, and even birthday parties. Located in the countryside at Présilly, Maison du Salève offers unusual activities connected to its exhibitions, including guided tours, workshops, lectures and nature trails. Walks suitable for people of all ages start from the Maison, including the ‘In the footsteps of the Carthusians’ discovery trail, the pilgrim route to Santiago da Compostela, and the Chemin des Convers, which takes you to summit of the Salève.

The Maison du Salève’s eco-boutique features local artisans, food producers and writers.