Walk : St-Gingolph             route map

 

Description

 

GR5 is the trans-European long distance walk from Amsterdam to Nice. This section is from the shores of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) in Switzerland heading south through Haute Savoie to the Abondance valley in France.  This area is the Pre-alps, greener and lower than the high alps of the Chamonix area, which are few days walk further south. Maximum altitude is 1915m.

Duration

about 8 hours

Suggested Itinerary

 

From the steamer landing stage at St-Gingolph, walk for an hour or so to the village of Novel and stay the night.  Continue the next day along GR5 to the village of la Chapelle d’Abondance

Airport

Geneva

Accommodation at start

Hotel Du Clozet, 74500 Novel, tel +33 (0)4 50 76 72 80

also Chambres d’hote at Restaurant Le Grammont, 74500 Novel, tel +33 (0)4 50 76 73 68

Alternatively, there are several hotels in St-Gingolph

Transport to start

Lake steamer or trains to St-Gingolph. Train times at SBB; boat times at CGN

Route

 

Follow the red-and-white waymarkers of GR5 from St-Gingolph (alt.386m) up to Novel (960m, food and lodgings) and then onwards to the highest point at Col de Bise (1915m). Drop to Chalets de Bise (1502m, food), climb up and cross Pas de la Bose (1816m) and descend to la Chapelle d’Abondance village (1021m).

Waymarking and terrain

Excellent waymarkings.  Good paths over grassy hills.  Wonderful views.

Transport from end

Bus from la Chapelle d’Abondance to Thonon-les-Bains. Train from there to Geneva airport, changing at Annemasse and Geneva Eaux Vives.  Bus timetable (2005) here.  Train times at SNCF

Accommodation at end

Several hotels in La Chapelle d’Abondance

Maps

IGN 1:25,000 3528ET shows details of the whole route

Comments

 

A glorious walk for a summers day.

 

 

On the Lac Leman steamer

 

Novel village

 

Col de Bise

 

Chalets de Bise

 

Descending towards la Chapelle d’Abondance

 

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