The Dranse Delta Nature Reserve

de fr

Formed by the confluence of the Dranse d'Abondance, the Dranse de Morzine and the Brevon, the Dranse flows into Lake Geneva at the border between the municipalities of Thonon-les-Bains and Publier. A nature reserve has been created around the small delta it forms, which is home to many birds and a diverse range of flora. This short walk takes you through the reserve to the mouth of the Dranse.

Details

n°115750
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 382 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 373 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Mouth of the Dranse
Lake Dranse
Dranse Delta Nature Reserve
Dranse Nature Reserve

Description of the walk

Parking is available in the nature reserve car park in Saint-Disdille. To get there, leave the N5 (Thonon-Amphion) at Vongy and follow the signs for "Parc de la Châtaigneraie". When you arrive in Saint-Disdille, the car park is on the right (signposted).

(S/E) At the nature reserve information sign, take the gravel path that starts behind a barrier. Make two short turns downhill, then continue straight ahead with a campsite on your right and the private estate of Port Ripaille on your left.

(1) A sign indicates the entrance to the reserve. The path bends to the right, along wooden barriers. At the fork that follows immediately, take the right-hand path and you will quickly reach the bird observatory.

(2) Retrace your steps and, at the fork, turn right. After a few metres of winding, the path turns east and then bends left to head north. Stay on the main path, ignoring the tracks branching off to the sides. Reach the mouth of the river and turn left onto a path that winds through the vegetation to a small pebble beach.

(3) Return via the same path to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 382 m - Nature reserve car park
  2. 1 : km 0.58 - alt. 376 m - Delta Nature Reserve - Dranse (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 0.73 - alt. 376 m - Bird watching station
  4. 3 : km 1.3 - alt. 373 m - Mouth of the Dranse in the - Lac Léman
  5. S/E : km 2.6 - alt. 382 m - Nature reserve car park

Notes

Simple trainers are sufficient for this short hike.

Car park opening hours:
- from 1 October to 31 March, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- From 1 April to 30 September, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Recommendations:
- The Dranse Delta Nature Reserve is a protected area with restricted access. Dogs are not allowed. Please follow the recommendations on the information signs.
- Swimming is prohibited in the Dranse and is unsupervised elsewhere.

Detailed map useful (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed twice by the author, the first on 25 April 2015, the second on 18 July 2017.

Worth a visit

Don't hesitate to take your time to observe, listen, etc. The bird observation post is located on the edge of a pond, which is a popular nesting site.

At the mouth of the Dranse, there is a unique atmosphere and beautiful views of the Swiss and French shores of Lake Geneva. For many years, a dredging platform was moored off the mouth of the river, but in July 2017, it was no longer there.

Nearby: Ripaille Castle (see the hike published on the website).

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
titi06480
titi06480
• Edited:

Apart from the bird observatory, not much of interest.

Machine-translated

mamaumamar
mamaumamar
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We took this walk, which takes place in a very pretty setting, with lots of welcome shade during hot weather. We arrived at the beach with a lovely view of the lake, which was very clear, and a view of neighbouring Switzerland.
To start the walk, you should specify that you want to go to the car park at the entrance to the reserve.

Machine-translated

goldwings
goldwings
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk in a natural environment. Don't miss the bird observatory, a magical experience that immerses you in the birds' world. At the end of the walk, you can prolong the pleasure by taking the pebble beach that opens up on the left.

Machine-translated

Béatrice.J
Béatrice.J

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk, which can be extended a little by turning right along the campsite fence. You will come to a small path; turn right, still following the campsite, and this path will take you to the banks of the Dranse at a point where it is quite wide, offering a lovely view. Return along the same path, keeping to the right, to reach the bird observatory.A pleasant spot where you can still see birds.

Machine-translated

eglantine83700
eglantine83700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant walk

Machine-translated

CatherineBu
CatherineBu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A magnificent walk and an almost magical arrival at the delta!

Machine-translated

Kélig07
Kélig07

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

A little disappointed by this hike.
I did this short walk at the end of the day, after a lovely hike in the Chablais.
The arrival via an industrial area isn't really great. The car park is easy to find and well shaded. The route is very simple. Just walk along a large campsite (a few information boards) and continue along the path.
There are only two viewpoints over the Dranse. The bird observatory is very basic, with no explanations. I've seen others that are more pleasant and better suited to birdwatching. The second viewpoint is at the mouth of the river. There's a beautiful view of the lake. Swimming is prohibited in this area. Between the two, there's a small path through the forest that's not very interesting...
A pleasant walk, but nothing more... Worth doing if you don't need to make a detour.
Accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Machine-translated

Netra
Netra ★

Hello xmarando, and thank you for your comments!

I agree with you, it would be better to be able to do a circular. The first time I did this hike, I tried, but there are two obstacles...

To the east, there's the Dranse River, which is impossible to cross here (!). To the west, following the lake, you come to the small marina, and there you end up on private property...

Machine-translated

xmrando
xmrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The only thing I find regrettable is that you can't do a circular, particularly along the lake on part of the route.

I suppose it's not possible yet, but one day it will be, and that will be great.

The location is very pleasant.

Machine-translated

Netra
Netra ★

Hello mike74, and thank you for your comments.

The itinerary is short and fairly simple: in what way is the description "very disappointing", and in what areas could it be improved?

Machine-translated

mike74
mike74

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

pleasant stroll

Machine-translated

whypprjq
whypprjq

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Mainly intended for birdwatchers in spring, autumn and winter.

Machine-translated

bibi
bibi ★

Thank you for your feedback. You say that the description is average. How can we improve it? Thank you for your help.
Kind regards

Machine-translated

elinelucas
elinelucas

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Apart from arriving at the delta, not much of interest.

Machine-translated

Josy C.
Josy C.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk after lunch at Château de Ripaille

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking On the shores of Lake Geneva, Ripaille Castle

Visorando member
Au bord du Léman, le Château de Ripaille
↔5.51 km ↗+21 m ↘-20 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Thonon-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie)
The Château de Ripaille, former residence of the Dukes of Savoy, is well worth a visit. This short hike offers an original way to get there, following the shores of Lake Geneva as closely as possible. It's a great way to combine the pleasure of walking with that of culture and heritage!

Walking The Vineyards of Marin

Visorando member
Les Vignes de Marin
↔5.74 km ↗+164 m ↘-164 m ◔2h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Haute-Savoie
The Marin vineyard is one of three vineyards on the French shore of Lake Geneva. This hike takes you through the vineyards, along the Dranse river and up to higher ground to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Lake Geneva.

Walking The old mills of Maravant

Visorando member
Les anciens moulins du Maravant
↔7.68 km ↗+122 m ↘-115 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Haute-Savoie
A varied hike that combines peaceful paths through meadows with trails with a slight incline. You will pass through a heavily wooded area where old water mills once stood, the remains of which are now difficult to make out. Extensive panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains punctuate this route.

Walking From Thonon-les-Bains to the Châteaux des Allinges

Visorando member
De Thonon-les-Bains aux Châteaux des Allinges
↔13.50 km ↗+390 m ↘-382 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Thonon-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie)
Two hikes in one! A pleasant walk that takes place mostly under trees (oaks, beeches and chestnuts), leading to the Châteaux des Allinges, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Geneva on one side and the Pre-Alps on the other. If the climb to the castle puts you off, you can cut the hike short without enjoying the view from the castle ruins.

Walking The Chapel of Champeillant and the Oratories of Champanges and Féternes

Visorando member
La Chapelle de Champeillant et les Oratoires de Champanges et Féternes
↔11.74 km ↗+225 m ↘-219 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Champanges (Haute-Savoie)
A walk on the Gavot plateau, along paths and roads with very little traffic. Beautiful panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Chablais massif as far as Mont Blanc. Small chapel in Champeillant and oratories along the way.

Walking Balcony above the Dranse river at the start of the hike in Armoy

Visorando member
↔6.63 km ↗+192 m ↘-190 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Armoy (Haute-Savoie)
A short hike that ends at a dead end... This is an opportunity to venture into a little-visited forest and walk along the slopes overlooking the Dranse River above its gorges. Expect to find damp vegetation where moss grows freely.

Walking A balcony-like path above the Dranse, starting from Féternes Vieux

Visorando member
En balcon au-dessus de la Dranse au départ de Féternes Vieux
↔4.02 km ↗+133 m ↘-132 m ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Féternes (Haute-Savoie)
A short hike, mainly through woodland, offering a beautiful view of the Dranse valley and the Jura Mountains. Several other points of interest enhance the route: a chapel, an imposing lime tree, the remains of a tuff quarry, a cup-marked stone and a wayside shrine.

Walking The Oratory of Perron

Visorando member
L'Oratoire du Perron
↔11.03 km ↗+123 m ↘-127 m ◔3h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Larringes (Haute-Savoie)
The Perron oratory was built on a hillock that is the highest point of the Plateau de Gavot (910 m). From this small summit, as well as from much of the route, you can enjoy extensive views of the northernmost peaks of the Chablais (Mémises, drystone shelter, Oche, Ouzon, Billiat). A family hike that follows paths or small roads with very little traffic.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.