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Access: from Geneva/Annemasse/Chamonix/Bellegarde, take the A40 to the Saint-Julien-en-Genevois exit, then follow the D1201 towards Cruseilles. You’ll soon spot a sign for “Maison du Salève” just before the Col du Mont Sion. At the roundabout, turn left onto the Route de Pomier to reach the Parking des Promeneurs (Caution: bumpy track, large potholes in places, drive at walking pace).
(S/E) Here you have two paths to choose from; take the one heading north-east, called "Chemin des Petites Croix". Enter the forest directly via a slight incline and you will then see a path branching off to the right with a Red Cross painted on a tree.
The path soon becomes quite steep, but you can take a fork to the right to make the slope gentler. Keep following the Red Cross markings carefully. You will then reach a large boulder, which you should go round by passing in the middle and then veering to the right (caution: slippery path). Pass in front of a wayside shrine and enjoy an unobstructed view of the Jura. After a long straight stretch, you will reach a junction.
(1) Turn left to continue along the Chemin des Petites Croix. Still in the forest, the slope levels out until a bend offers an unobstructed view of Lake Geneva. Continue climbing, then take the path on the left as you leave the forest.
You’ll soon reach a track where you’ll have a magnificent view of the Jura, Lake Geneva and the northern slopes of the Salève. You’ll soon spot the Thuile farm.
(2) Just before the farm, follow the signs for “Le Grand Piton”, which you reach via a long, straight stretch with a very gentle gradient. Head to the Col des Pitons car park.
(3) Continue to the left to reach the summit of the Grand Piton.
(4) Take the same path back to the Col des Pitons.
(3) Cross the D41a road, head straight ahead and follow an almost level path to the Grotte du Diable.
(5) Head straight up and keep to the left of the path until you reach the car park of an old abandoned restaurant. Cross the road, take a small path opposite through the middle of the forest, which quickly veers to the left. Continue along this path to reach a car park near the D41a road.
(6) Turn right onto a path that veers right and heads downhill. You will soon reach a water reservoir; continue downhill to your left until you reach the sign: Sous Plan du Salève. Head towards Chalet des Convers and arrive at these chalets.
(7) Head off to the right, entering the pasture on the north side (a marker in the middle of the pasture shows you the way to go; be careful as the yellow arrow is very faded); if in doubt, you’ll spot the path ‘cleared’ by hikers. Enter the woods where you’ll find the trail again, with a small chalet on the left. The descent isn’t very steep but remains tricky in places due to the smooth stones. You’ll reach the junction where the via ferrata starts, roughly halfway down the descent.
(8) Continue the descent through the trees along the winding path until you reach the Promeneurs car park (S/E).
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