A walk through history

The Salève is a must-see mountain of the Genevois region and the perfect place to explore as it is so easy to reach. This mountain is known as the ‘Geneva Balcony’ and the views from the top are breathtaking. From the various viewpoints at the peak, you’ll be able to see the Alps, Jura, Lake Geneva and Lake Annecy.

#Cablecar

From the base of the mountain, you can take a moment to admire the Salève mountainsides and the shades of yellow and beige at the limestone rock quarry. A little further up is the cliff that has been proudly watching over the region for thousands of years. And then at the peak is the cable car station where you’ll be disembarking.
What are you waiting for?! It’s time to head to the ticket office and get your pass. Take a moment to have a good look at the machines used to carry the cable car cabins up and down in 4 minutes. Impressive isn’t it?
When your cabin arrives, climb aboard and get ready for the ride. Will you sit facing the mountains or the landscapes? There’s no right answer to that question because the scenery all around is incredible, and there might be some surprises hidden on the mountainsides. If you look carefully, you might just see a chamois roaming about. Keep your eyes peeled!
When you get to the peak, go and explore the areas that were renovated in 2023. There’s an exhibition there where you can learn all about the Salève. Admire the 360° views from the André Rebuffel terrace! Defy gravity on the Grande Varappe wall with an instructor from the Bureau de la Montagne du Salève. And the ‘Esplanade du Léman’ is a great place for a picnic.

#Monnetier-Mornex

Once you’ve finished your picnic, your exploration can really begin. You’ll be setting off along the oldest trail in Salève: the Pas de l’Echelle trail. Before reaching Monnetier-Mornex, you’ll need to follow the narrow track through the forest. You’ll go past a quarry and then you’ll catch a glimpse of the first houses, if you haven’t already heard the church bells ringing in the distance.
Wander around the narrow streets of the village, just like some well-known people have before you. German composer Richard Wagner and English writer John Ruskin both stayed in Mornex, as did the sculptor from Geneva John-Etienne Chaponnière and Impressionist painter Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, who painted ‘Mornex’. In the 19th century, this valley between Grand and Petit Salève became a popular place for tourism in the Genevois region because of the sunny weather and ideal altitude.

#Historicruins

It’s time to move on to the next part of your exploration. Pass in front of the entrance to the Château de Monnetier, also known as the Château de l’Ermitage. This construction on the edge of the cliff has been watching over the Genevois plain for almost five centuries. This is just a sneak preview of what’s to come in the next part so look out for ruins of the past that you might see along your way! This is the route that the farmers of the Salève would once have taken to sell their products on the markets of Geneva. A great number of writers and scientists have also walked these paths, including Alphonse Lamartine in around 1820. From 1892 to 1935, it was also possible to take a train up to the top of the Salève. This rack railway went to Etrembières, Veyrier and Treize-Arbres. Competition from the Salève Cable Car meant that the railway ceased operation in 1935. You’ve not got the choice now, you’ll have to go up the steps, some of which have been sculpted directly into the rock, to reach the base of the valley and the Cable Car lower station.

An ideal outing for sporty visitors who are also interested in local history and historic buildings!

* It is also possible to hike up to the top and use the Cable Car to get back down.