From Bois de Chancy to the banks of the Rhône

A family walk in the Chancy woods (Geneva, Switzerland) leading to the banks of the Rhône. There are some lovely surprises to discover along the way, such as a suspension bridge, views of the Jura and Vuache mountains, and streams. The perfect hike for hot summer days!

Details

1017025
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 142 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 141 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 429 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 332 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from one of the car parks just after the customs post (Route de Valleiry).

(S/E) Take Chemin des Crevasses (a gravel path through the forest) towards the west.

(1) When Chemin des Crevasses turns right, take a dirt track on the left leading to a wooden hut. It winds through the forest and descends gently towards Le Longet. At the first crossroads, continue straight ahead and at the second crossroads, turn right (the path descends to Le Longuet). A suspension bridge appears to cross Le Longuet! Cross the bridge and continue along the path. When you reach the next crossroads, turn right towards the north (do not take the stairs in front of you).

(2) Once you reach the end of the path, turn onto the trail behind you, which climbs through the forest towards the south.

(3) When you reach the end of the path, take a sharp right turn (you will see the Rhône!). At the next junction, turn left (the path continues downhill). After this wide path, you will come to a small road; continue along this road.

(4) Turn onto the path on the left that crosses the fields and leads to the Rhône.

(5) At the crossroads, turn right along the banks of the Rhône. Continue along the Rhône. When the path ends at a small beach, climb back up to the road using the steps on the right. Continue along the road ( watch out for fast-moving cars at this point!) until you reach the crossroads with the departmental road (Route de Valleiry) and turn right. Continue along the road (watch out for fast-moving cars at this point!).

(6) A wide path will then appear on the right. Take it and continue until you reach the first crossroads

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 427 m - Car park just after the customs office
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 424 m - Dirt track on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.42 - alt. 397 m - Left hairpin bend
  4. 3 : km 1.83 - alt. 418 m - Turn right downhill
  5. 4 : km 3.14 - alt. 343 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.32 - alt. 335 m - Turn right at the edge of the Rhône
  7. 6 : km 4.97 - alt. 401 m - On the right, path leading into the forest
  8. S/E : km 5.92 - alt. 427 m - Car park just after the customs office

Notes

Please note: if there has been heavy rain in the days leading up to your hike, the path may be very muddy. Be sure to wear sturdy, waterproof footwear.

Worth a visit

Things to see during the hike:
- the suspension bridge, Longet stream,
- the banks of the Rhône,
- the views of the Jura and Vuache mountains.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27680916

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We skipped point 2 without realising it, but the climb up the stairs was very steep. We probably diverged just after the footbridge..
The descent to the Rhône (via a tarmac path) is a little uninteresting.
The section along the riverbank is very pleasant and relaxing.
However, the end of the route on the main road is absurd and dangerous!
Given the existing paths, the end of the circular definitely needs to be reviewed

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User 27294974
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to enjoy with the family.

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Grecorix
Grecorix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant Sunday stroll. The forest is beautiful and it is possible to take a dip in the Rhône in summer (beware of the current).

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didrobin
didrobin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk

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val31200
val31200
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant trail through woodland. Be careful, however, when the weather is wet, as the path is slippery, especially on the steep sections from the crevasses path at the Bouchets car park. Additional signs are sometimes necessary, especially when you want to take other marked paths, so think about using your GPS with your mobile phone. Nice to see the border markers between Switzerland and France. Probable mushroom spot....

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Crideva
Crideva

Please note that the footbridge is under construction for several months and cannot be crossed. See SwitzerlandMobility for more details,

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Pitouille
Pitouille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for the walk, a nice area that we didn't know. Indeed the only drawback is the little passage on the main road...l with children. There is a way to fork right at the bend (earlier, to walk along the road for less time) and you can retrace your steps to point 1 along a parallel path but lower down.
Thank you

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paul022
paul022

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk with plenty of opportunities to take other routes. A leisurely Sunday stroll.

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palayodo
palayodo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short hike accessible to all and very pleasant in fine weather.
Thank you RB for sharing it.

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jgallo
jgallo

We leave and arrive from the car park on the route de Chancy to avoid this dangerous stretch.

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dobb
dobb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nice easy walk, beautiful woods, picnic along the Rhône
The only downside is the partial return by road: cars do indeed drive fast! Fortunately, this section is fairly short!

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jgallo
jgallo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Interesting tour. Allows you to discover the border markers between Switzerland and France.

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enrouement
enrouement

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The banks of the Rhône are beautiful. In the forest with its many footpaths, it's a good idea to have your smartphone with you.

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Galwenn
Galwenn

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely and very quiet during the week, perfect with my dogs. The stopover on the banks of the Rhône was appreciated by all.

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Nouseron
Nouseron

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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