On the shores of Lake Geneva between Amphion and the Dranse Delta

Start at the Amphion landing stage, on the D1005, between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains. Park in the small car park at the landing stage (around ten spaces) or in the car park along the D1005 before the landing stage when coming from Évian.

Yellow signposting

(S/E) Facing the lake, turn left and weave your way between a house bearing the sign ‘Amphion-les-Bains’ on your left and the small Port de la Rive on your right. You’ll come to a small beach closed to the public; turn left and go under a porch. Turn right, walk past a building and turn right again to reach the quay. Walk along the right-hand side of the Port d’Amphion.

(1) At the junction at the harbour entrance, carry straight on along Rue de la Plage (a dead end) and walk alongside the lake. At the end of the street, go through a metal gate to reach Amphion beach. Walk along this pebble beach.

(2) At the end of the beach, enter the Parc du Miroir. Continue to walk alongside the lake, passing a small building on your left named after the novelist Anna de Noailles (1876–1933). Then enter the Parc des Tilleuls (cedars, sequoias and other beautiful trees) and continue along the lake.

(3) Walk past the private harbour at Le Mottay and note a chapel on your left. Go round a small harbour and return to the lakeside.

No signposting

Ignore the yellow arrow indicating a left turn; carry on straight ahead, walking between a high wall on your left and a low wall on the lakeside.

(4) Enter the Dranse Delta Park (labelled ‘Parc de Port Pinard’ on the map). Go straight on along a gravel path running parallel to the lake and ignore the turn-offs to the left.

(5) Head for the pebble beach and carry on straight on until you reach Port Pinard (the Dranse dredging company). Retrace your steps.

(5) Turn right, then left, following the path. When you reach a fisherman’s hut, leave the gravel path and take a wooden jetty on the left. At the junction, continue along the jetty opposite and cross a bridge over a reed bed. As you come off the bridge, first turn right then left to join the gravel path beyond a lawn (it is also possible to cross the lawn directly). Follow this path to the left and head for the park entrance.

(4) Then turn right and take the path between the two walls again.

Yellow markings

Continue along the lake and, following the route in reverse to the one taken on the way there, return to the Amphion jetty (S/E).

Good walking shoes are sufficient for this short walk, which follows well-maintained paths and tarmac roads.

Bar-restaurant opposite the Amphion landing stage (S/E). Lakeside restaurant between (1) and (2). Toilets near the mini-harbour between (3) and (4).

Summer tips:
- At this time of year, the car parks near the Amphion landing stage fill up quickly: it’s best to go for a walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- A swimsuit and a beach towel are recommended if you wish to take a dip.
- Swimming is supervised at Amphion beach; it is permitted (except on private property!) but unsupervised elsewhere.

The parks you pass through are sensitive natural areas; please follow the guidelines. In particular, dogs must be kept on a lead.

The route is straightforward, but a detailed map is always useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

Additional information:
This walk can be combined with the ‘Sur les hauteurs d’Amphion’ walk, which has exactly the same starting and finishing points.

The author has completed this walk three times: the first on 29 October 2018, and the most recent on 23 July 2021.

- A pleasant walk along the shores of Lake Geneva, with views of the Swiss coast.
- Several information boards along the route.
- Parks with beautiful trees, notably the Parc des Tilleuls between (2) and (3).
- Parc du Delta de la Dranse (4).
- Port Pinard, after (5).