Grand tour Pic de Borée, Mémises and Mont César

Parking at the top of Creusaz, in a car park (marked on the IGN map) near a restaurant. Access from Bernex.

Directional signs at major intersections

(S/E) Go up to the top of the car park, pass through a turnstile, turn right and follow the path that climbs diagonally across the pastures to the Rasse chalets. Enter the forest (yellow and blue markings). The path skirts Mont César to the south, initially at a fairly constant altitude or slightly downhill, then leveling out. After a steep section, you will arrive at a stream at a place called Sous l'Échelle.

(1) Turn right, cross the stream and follow the main path towards Sur les Prés (yellow and blue markings). At a flat spot (chalet on the right), turn left and climb up a path that winds through the woods. Pass a drinking trough and you will reach the Chalet de Sur les Prés.

(2) At the signpost, follow the signs for Col de Neuvaz and Pic de Borée to the right and descend slightly. At the next junction, turn left towards Col de Neuvaz and climb back up.

(3) At the next junction, turn right and descend towards Neuvaz dessus. Pass some ruined chalets (red and white markings). Climb steeply and go around a promontory to the west. You will come out at the foot of a large sloping pasture, near the Chalets de Neuvaz dessus (abandoned).

(4) Climb north-east up the grassy slope (signpost; do not go to the Chalets de Neuvaz above). Contrary to what the IGN map suggests, there is no path: you will have to find your own way up the switchbacks. The pasture is bordered on the right by a fence (barbed wire), which you will reach at the top of the slope.

(5) Walk along the false flat until you are directly below the Pic de Borée on a ridge ( the ridge is narrow in places). A final short but steep climb brings you to the summit.

(6) Follow the ridge eastwards and, shortly afterwards, turn left into a corridor (equipped with a rope or not, depending on the year). Be careful on the descent if the ground is wet. You will reach the arrival station of a chairlift.

(7) Go around the right side of the chairlift arrival point, then leave the arrival point of a ski lift on your left. Head north into a valley (the "Les Fées" ski slope in winter) and take a clear grassy path between two small woods. Then turn left into a grassy corridor that leads to the Chalets des Mémises. Continue north until you reach the Frasse chairlift.

(8) Continue north and cross a fence using a wooden plank as a step. Then turn left, follow the fence and keep the electricity pylons on your right. Enter the woods and climb to the eastern summit of Les Mémises (metal cross).

(9) Continue west along the ridge, pass a paragliding launch site and reach the arrival point of the Mémises cable car.

(10) Go around the cable car station on the left (south). Follow the ridge west towards the Pic des Mémises. Pass two small chalets on your left and reach the Pic des Mémises in about 20 minutes (monumental cross, telecommunications pylon).

(11) Continue west along the edge of or slightly below the ridge.

(12) At the western end of the Montagne des Mémises, take a steep path on the left that descends to the Col de Pertuis.

(13) At the pass, turn right and after a few steps, take a narrow path on the left that climbs up to the ridge and the summit of Mont César. Allow between 10 minutes and 15 minutes for this short climb. Be careful not to venture further west: there is a fault between the summit (grassy and comfortable) and the jagged pinnacles that are clearly visible.

(14) Retrace your steps back to the Col de Pertuis.

(13) At the pass, turn left and descend the north slope via a winding, stony path.

(15) At a bend, a sign on the left indicates the way back to Creusaz. As this return route is very steep, we recommend taking the path on the right towards Bois de la Corne and Thollon. This path continues in a series of hairpin bends, passes a drinking trough (water) and joins a clearing on the edge of the Bois de la Corne.

(16) From the clearing, take the path on the left, which passes through woods and pastures and quickly rejoins Creusaz (S/E).

Hiking boots and equipment are essential. Bring water before arriving at the Chalets de Sur les Prés and at the bottom of the descent from the Col de Pertuis before (16). In summer, water and food are available at the arrival station of the Mémises cable car (10).

Warning:
The Creusaz car park is the starting point for several relatively popular hikes. In summer, it is not uncommon for the car park to be full by late morning. During this season, it is therefore advisable to set off early in the morning.

Shorter variants:
- From the Frasse chairlift (8), go directly to the cable car station (10) without passing by the eastern summit of Les Mémises, taking a gently sloping trail that branches off to the left along the artificial lake.
- From the cable car station (10), on the west side, go directly to the Col de Pertuis without passing by the summit of the Pic des Mémises, taking the wide path that branches off to the left of the path leading to the summit.
- At the Col de Pertuis (13), do not climb Mont César, but descend directly to the Bois de la Corne (16) and Creusaz.

A 1:25,000 map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed twice by the author, the first time on 28 July 2004 and the second on 22 July 2008.

Varied route: forest, mountain pastures, high ridges.
Splendid panoramic views of Lake Geneva, particularly from the Pic de Borée and the Pic des Mémises, and all along the ridge of the Mémises.
Beautiful view of the Chablais from the Pic de Borée.