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GR®5 Balcon du Léman: La Vernaz - Novel
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Description
The Balcon du Léman invites you to discover the mountains overlooking Lake Geneva. This linear itinerary runs from Bioge (La Vernaz) to Novel and offers magnificent views of the lake and the Chablais mountains.
This stage of the GR5 of the Balcon du Léman will allow you to discover different points of view on the lake, but also on the mountains of Chablais like the Dent d'Oche and the Mont de Grange.
The start is at La Vernaz, you will start to climb in the undergrowth in the direction of the village of Chevenoz.
You will then reach a ridge that will lead you to Mont Baron. At the top of Mont Baron, you will see Mont Blanc.
You will come down to the Col des Boeufs, then you will reach the tête des Fieux, with a view of Bernex and its ski area and the Dent d'Oche.
You will then pass near the Pointe de Pelluaz and reach the Lac de la Case, at the foot of the imposing Château d'Oche.
Enjoy this cool moment!
You will then descend to the Chalets d'Oche mountain pasture.
Once at the chalet, you can make a stop. A drinking water basin is available and a cheese sale is offered by farmers.
You will then cross the Rebollion and Neuvaz passes.
The descent will take you to the heights of the village of Novel, the smallest village in Haute-Savoie.
Variation: From the Neuvaz pass, you can go through the Mémises mountain and the Pointe de Cormiens to reach Novel.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 01/04/2026 to 01/11/2026
Additional information
Open period
From 01/04 to 01/11.
Accessible outside the snowy period and depending on the weather conditions. Please check with the Tourist Office beforehand to find out the current access conditions. Recommended season: spring - summer - autumn.
Updated by
Communauté de communes Pays d'Evian Vallée d'Abondance - 03/12/2025
www.cc-peva.fr
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Environments
Lakeside or by stretch of water
Close to GR footpath
Mountain view
Forest location
Lake view
Mountain location
Village centre
Contact
Phone : 04 50 73 60 72
Email : info@ot-peva.com
Website : https://leman-mountains-explore.com
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Grit
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
On sale in the tourist offices of the pays d’Évian.
Map references :
TOP 25 N°3528 ET Morzine Massif du Chablais Les Portes du Soleil
Location complements
Departure : Bioge (La Vernaz village)
Arrival at the car park in the hamlet of La Planche, Novel.
Tricky passages
At the Rebollion pass, be careful: presence of scree and passage with cable.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
0/ Departure from Bioge at "La Vernaz.
1/ Before the EDF hydroelectric power station, head towards Les Chênes and La Plantaz.
2/ Pass through the hamlets of Chez Les Girard and du Mérou. Take the path down into the forest towards "Chevenoz".
3/ Then climb towards "Mont Baron".
3/ At the summit, descend towards "Col des Boeufs". At this pass, continue straight on and you'll reach the top of the "L'arête" ski lift. Take the path that climbs slightly to the right, and after a few hairpin bends, you'll reach the top of the "Petit Combet" chairlift. Continue up to "La Tête des Fieux".
4/ At the top, head for the "Col de La Case d'Oche". You'll pass under the Pelluaz chairlift. At the pass, take the path leading to Lac de La Case. At the lake, take the left-hand path down to the "Chalets d'Oche".
5/ Take the path on your right and continue as far as "Col de Rebollion". Descend the pass (take care, as there are scree slopes and a cable route). Take the path along the ridge towards the Col de Neuvaz.
6/ At the "Col de Neuvaz", take the path down to the right towards the "Neuvaz" and "Novel" mountain pastures. On the way down, cross a river and pass a chapel. You will arrive at the hamlet of "La Planche" in Novel, your final destination.
Animals
Yes. Pets allowed on a lead only due to the presence of herds and wild animals.
