Panoramic views of the Salève

Author's update on 11/10/2024:
- Minor corrections to the route,
- Repositioning of the point (1)
- Removal of annotations related to cable car works (the cable car has been reopened and operating steadily since December 2023),
- Addition of an article on the cable car in the "During the hike" section

The hike starts from the Orjobet car park at a place called Le Coin (D48 road leading to Salève).

(S/E) Cross the D45 and take the path towards the Grotte d'Orjobet. At the fork that soon appears (reservoir), turn right (follow the yellow arrows). Climb steeply.

(1) Continue straight ahead (west, yellow arrows). After a winding path with a few steep slopes, you will arrive at a beautiful viewpoint.

(2) Cross a footbridge to reach the Orjobet Cave and walk through it via an access point with a few high steps. At the exit, continue along the path and, not far away, turn left at the^first fork. A little further up, you will join another path (marked in white and red) without even noticing. The path passes at the foot of a cliff and joins the Trou de la Tine.

(3) Continue straight ahead. After an uphill section in the undergrowth, follow a long ledge at the foot of a cliff (be very careful). Along the way, pass under the Croix de Savoie.

(4) You will then walk through a wooded area before reaching a large meadow slightly higher up. Continue straight ahead at the^first fork towards the cable car (upper station). You will reach the D41A road.

(5) Continue straight ahead to the left along the edge of the forest^. Continue to follow the^GR® trail^. Further down, you will come to the road. Follow it for about 50 metres, then take a path on the left that leads away from it (follow the red and white markings). Not far away, turn left, leaving the^GR® trail, to reach some beautiful viewpoints just ahead. Then continue along the path, which rejoins the^GR® trail, to arrive at the Panorama de l'Observatoire. This is another beautiful viewpoint in a wide open space.

(6) Return to the path, which approaches the road once again. After passing a Buddhist monastery and a paragliding take-off area, you will reach the Mont-Blanc Panorama. The path then descends more steeply and crosses a road (RD41a) twice. You will arrive at the cable car station and then the road.

(7) Cross the road at the hairpin bend (take care) and take a path (no signposts) heading south-east. At a signpost (detour), turn right uphill and then fairly quickly to the left. Further on, at a junction (known as Pré Berger), continue straight on along Chemin de la Grange Passet (follow the sign for Grange Gaby). You will soon reach a crossroads.

(8): Turn right onto the path, which is marked by a few steps. After passing under a bridge, you will reach a small road. Continue straight ahead for less than 100 metres, then turn left, following the signs (yellow arrow). After a short climb, you will reach a wider path. Continue straight ahead to arrive just before Grange Gaby at the start of a trail.

(9) Take this path on the left, going downhill and then uphill. Shortly after a small pond on your left, look for the start of a moderately visible path on your right (no sign) and follow it uphill. A little higher up and not far away, you will arrive at the Rochers de Faverges. This is a rather special place.

(10) Turn left and follow the signs. Join the road (RD41a) and cross (with caution) at a place called Panorama sur les Alpes. (There is an orientation table and a beautiful view of Mont Blanc). Continue straight ahead westwards on the path that winds across the plateau in a fairly open area until you reach a junction with another path.

(11) Continue left towards La Croisette to the south. Shortly afterwards, the slope becomes steeper and joins the bend of a small road (Chemin des Crêts).

(12) Do not take the road, but turn right onto a direct path (no sign) to join a trail after a few dozen metres. Turn left (white-red^GR® markings) to join the Chemin des Crêts and the D41A. Continue almost straight along the road for a few metres, then cross it at the Bouillette car park, leaving Chemin de Bachal au Moine on your left and following the marked path southwards. You will arrive at a large road junction (La Croisette).

Alternative route: I also suggest an alternative route for the return leg: click on the following link = Salève - Alternative return route

(13) Follow Route de la Croisette (D45) to the right downhill (watch out for traffic). When you reach the edge of the forest, continue for about 150 m. Then take a path on the left downhill (no sign). At the intersection that immediately follows, turn right. After a steep descent, you will reach the D45. Go left for about ten metres, then take a path on the right (be careful, the entrance is hidden by a safety barrier). After a few steep slopes, cross the road twice more, then further down, you will reach it again. Walk carefully along it for about 600 m (there are some nice views).

(14) At a hairpin bend, leave the road and continue straight ahead on a path (marked with yellow arrows). After a gentle descent, you will come to the crossroads you took at the start of the hike.

(1) Continue straight ahead (do not take the path you took on the way up with the yellow arrows). A little further down, rejoin the path you took on the way up (reservoir) and follow it to the right to return to the starting point (S/E).

The starting point can be viewed on Google Maps: click here

Good hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended.

Nature has a hard time digesting your rubbish. Take it with you!

Overall, the route is fairly busy. The sections between the points (7) (cable car) and (10) (Rochers de Faverges), then the section after the point (13) (la Croisette) are quieter.

The route is generally in good condition. Please note that the route shown differs slightly from the map background for access to the Grotte d'Orjobet (point (2)): it does not correspond to the IGN map but is consistent with the OSM (OpenStreetMap).

From (S/E) to (2) orange difficulty
There are a few steep slopes on a route that should not pose any problems.
Marked with yellow arrows + signposts.

From (2) to (3) orange difficulty
The crossing of the Grotte d'Orjobet is moderately wide, where it is not necessarily easy to pass other people, and the path has some steep steps. The route then continues as described above.
Yellow arrows mark the route until the^first fork, then there are no markings on the section to the left. After meeting another path, the route is marked again (in white and red^GR® Balcon du Léman).

From (4) to (5) blue difficulty
Much of the route follows a ledge where a minimum ofcaution is required.
White and red markings -^GR® Balcon du Léman + signposts.

From (5) to (8) green difficulty
The route is fairly easy
White and red markings -^GR® Balcon du Léman + signposts.

From (8) to (9) green difficulty
The route is always easy.
There are no markings or signs at the start of the section.

From (9) to (10) blue difficulty
The route is generally easy, except for the path leading to the Rochers de Faverges, where the trail is moderately visible.
Marked with yellow arrows all along the way, except for the last short section leading to the Rochers de Faverges.

From (10) to (11) green difficulty.
The route is easy.
Marked with yellow arrows.

From (11) to (12) green difficulty
The route is easy.
No markings and almost no signposts.

From (12) to (13) blue difficulty
The slope is a little steep until the trail junction, then the path is easy.
No markings or signs at the start of the section, then white-red markings. Balcon du Léman

From (13) to (14) green difficulty
Beware of traffic. Some steep slopes.
No markings or signs

From (14) to (S/E) blue difficulty
The route follows slopes that are not overly steep.
Markings with yellow arrows and signposts until the fork in the path leading to the Grotte d'Orjobet, then no markings on the section of path taken afterwards.

Le Salève: this is a mountain in the Pre-Alps, although geologically it belongs to the Jura range. It runs south-north on the outskirts of the Geneva conurbation. For more information, click here.

Orjobet Cave: read here.

Salève Funicular: read here.

Salève cable car: inaugurated in 1932, it permanently replaced the funicular railway in 1935. It has been modernised on several occasions, most recently between 2021 and 2023. For more information, click here to access the Wikipedia article. To access the operator's official website, click here.

Rochers de Faverges: read more here and also here.