Geneva to St Genix-sur-Guiers

Bienvenue à Genève! Sitting on the western shore of Lake Leman, Geneva is home to the UN, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, and the world’s tallest fountain Jet d’Eau. Take time to explore the traditional old town, wander through the many museums and art galleries and indulge in some fondue or fish freshly caught from the lake.

Starting out, you will walk through the suburbs of Geneva before hitting the countryside and crossing the border from Switzerland into France. Continue through the Rhone-Alpes region and into the village of Beaumont before reaching your stop for the night at the sleepy village of Col du Mont Sion.

The walk today will be over the gently rolling countryside typical of the Rhone-Alpes region. Weaving past lush green fields and densely packed forests, the walk today is pleasant before a gentle ascent up to the picturesque hilltop village of Chaumont for a night’s rest.

Today you will continue towards the Rhone River. You will be walking over rolling green hills interspersed with quaint Alpine villages such as Desingy. Just beyond this placid section of the trail is Rhone Seyssel. Take a break in this bustling town before your last stretch of the day to Motz.

At this stage the Rhone is now a wide river that flows beside you along crop fields and the occasional forest track. Arriving into the small village of Chanaz, you are now in the Savoie Department. This lively little village is nicknamed Little Venice for its waterways. You can soak up the relaxed atmosphere and perhaps enjoy an evening meal on the water’s edge.

Another pleasant day of your walking holiday awaits you along the left of the Rhone River. There are some mild climbs from the river to rolling farmland and small forested patches. Today you will start to see vineyards on the surrounding fields, as well as passing through some small villages. You will walk back down to the Rhone again as you come into Yenne.

Today you will leave the valley as you climb up the forested Mont Tournier. The majority of today will be on this ridge, along forest paths. You will know you are getting close to your destination for the night when you start to gently wind down through mountain villages to St Genix sur Guiers. Delve into locally produced wines and cheese and celebrate finishing this section of the Geneva Way pilgrimage.

Today we say Au Revoir and hope to see you on the next section of the Geneva Way. If you want to stay on to explore this small town, we recommend trying the cake (Gâteau de Saint-Genix), filled and decorated with pink pralines, for which St Genix sur Guiers is known.