Ascent and tour of Les Mémises from Thollon

Departure from the large car park at the Mémises cable car, Place de la Station, along the D24 at the top of Thollon, just before the lower station.

Signposts are present at major intersections.

(S/E) Follow the D24 road, continuing along the access road for cars, and turn right onto a steeply sloping street towards the cable car. Shortly before the cable car, turn right and pass between two buildings. Immediately pass a large car park on your right, then a large building. Pass under the cable car line and walk along a housing estate on your left.

(1) At the intersection at the top of the housing estate, there are two options:
- For a shorter version, cutting out the eastern part of Les Mémises, turn right and pass under the cable car line again. At point (14), turn left and go up the stony track that zigzags under the cable car line to its upper station. Rejoin the main route at (7). This is not the recommended option as the climb is monotonous on hard ground.
- Alternatively, as shown on the map, take the left-hand path, which enters the forest. Continue straight ahead, climbing gently up the mountainside.

(2) Join a track and follow it to the right towards the Chalets de Corniens. The track climbs gently to the south-east and then continues east-south-east, overlooking Lake Geneva (with beautiful views at various points).

(3) After the Ruisseau du Locum (named after a small village that can be seen at the bottom by the lake), the track climbs in a few steep bends. Continue south and note the sound of the stream on your right as you get closer. Cross a cattle fence through a turnstile.

(4) At the fork that appears shortly afterwards, turn right towards La Frasse. Cross a stream and reach the lower station of the La Frasse chairlift. Follow a track that climbs up the valley, staying parallel to the chairlift line. At the top, make a few turns and pass under the line three times. This will take you to the upper station of the chairlift.

(5) Turn right onto a path in the middle of a meadow (leave the track). Go through the opening in a barbed wire fence and immediately turn left (yellow arrow signpost, red and white markings). Pass three small electricity pylons on your right, climb up and enter a spruce forest. Continue climbing to the eastern summit of Les Mémises (metal cross).

(6) Continue westwards along the ridge and descend, gently at first. Pass a paragliding launch site and descend more steeply. You will come to a track at the foot of an antenna; follow it to the right until you reach the upper cable car station.

(7) Go around the station on the left and cross the terrace of a mountain restaurant. Follow the ridge due west towards Pic des Mémises. Pass two small chalets and climb gently. Shortly before the summit, the slope becomes somewhat steeper and the path becomes stony. Reach the summit of Pic des Mémises (antenna, monumental cross).

(8) Continue south-west, along or slightly below the ridge.

(9) At the western end of the ridge, descend a very steep path on the left. This will take you to the Col de Pertuis.

(10) Then turn right towards Creusaz. Descend the northern slope via a winding, stony path.

(11) At an intersection, turn right towards Bois de la Corne. The path continues to wind down, passing a drinking trough, then descends steeply to a clearing on the edge of Bois de la Corne.

(12) Turn right towards Thollon and pass a drinking trough on your right. The path enters a beautiful beech forest and remains at a fairly constant altitude.

(13) At the edge of the woods, you will come out onto meadows with a beautiful view of Lake Geneva. Continue north-northeast, cross a cattle fence and re-enter the woods. Begin the descent, staying on the main path. Near the cable car line, join the wide track that descends from the Thollon-les-Mémises station.

(14) Follow the track to the left, descend and pass under the cable car line.

(1) At an intersection taken at the start of the hike, turn left. Pass under the cable car line again. Join the access road to the lower station and follow it to the left and downhill. You will soon reach the D24 and the car park where you started (S/E).

Hiking boots are required. The moderate altitude and proximity to Lake Geneva do not mean you can dispense with warm clothing and rainwear.

Water sources upstream of and in the Bois de la Corne clearing (12). Bar-restaurant at the upper station of the cable car (7), open in summer.

The path descending from the Col de Pertuis is north-facing. As a result, it remains wet for a long time after rain or snowmelt and can be slippery.

As this route follows ski slopes, it is not accessible in winter when the Thollon-les-Mémises ski resort is open.

A detailed map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

- Splendid panoramic views of Lake Geneva.
- Beautiful views of the north face of the Dent d'Oche and the Pic de Borée.