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The Way of Saint James in Savoie Mont Blanc - 6-day hike
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Description
From Geneva, the via Gebennensis takes you through the rolling countryside of Savoy, along the Rhône and vineyards, with views of the Alps. This itinerary, steeped in history, promises you the chance to recharge your batteries and unwind.
Stage 1: Geneva (St Peter's Cathedral) - Beaumont
Distance: 16 km
Duration: 4 hours
It's time for the big start! From Geneva, this first stage takes in the old town, then Carouge and the Geneva countryside, before reaching the border. Pilgrims enter France via the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which the route crosses from east to west to reach Le Puy-en-Velay and the historic start of the Via Podiensis.
Stage 2: Beaumont - Chaumont
Distance: 25.2 km
Duration: 7 hours
This second, rather long stage takes hikers from Beaumont to Chaumont, crossing the countryside of the Genevois Haut-Savoyard region. The trail between Salève and Vuache offers lovely views of the Geneva basin and the Alps.
Stage 3: Chaumont - Hauteurs de Seyssel
Distance: 16 km
Time: 4 hrs.
Today's stage is divided into two beautiful sections. The first takes in the valley of the Usses river, which pilgrims cross at Frangy, before tackling the second, much more challenging part of the route. The hilly landscape of this hike leads to the heights of Seyssel, where the gîtes are located.
Stage 4: Heights of Seyssel - Chanaz
Distance: 22.4 km
Time: 6 h
An easy downhill stage from the heights of Seyssel to the pretty village of Chanaz, which welcomes 200,000 visitors every summer. While the first part of the stage leads to the confluence of the Fier and Rhône rivers, the second part takes in the Rhône basin, where man's mark on the landscape is very present in the form of housing, agriculture and industry.
Stage 5: Chanaz - Yenne
Distance: 16.7 km
Duration: 4h30
Today's stage takes place entirely in the Savoie department between Chanaz and Yenne. Most of the GR© runs alongside the Rhône, which hikers leave at the start to gain height, and return to at the finish in the medieval village of Yenne. The Savoy vineyards mark the landscapes through which the hikers pass, as do the surrounding hills, in particular the Dent du Chat, visible to the southeast on the stage's panoramic sites.
Stage 6: Yenne - Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers
Distance: 24 km
Time: 6 hours
This is an athletic stage - there's no such thing as flat! From Yenne and the banks of the Rhône, hikers reach Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, having to cross Mont Tourbier, culminating at an altitude of 880 meters. The entire first part of the stage is devoted to climbing a wooded path on the mountainside, before descending to the banks of the Guiers. In terms of heritage, the Note-Dame de la Montagne chapel, a nod to Lyon's Fourvière basilica, is well worth a stop. At the finish line, a Saint-Genix praline brioche rewards the day's efforts!
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Updated by
Agence alpine des territoires - 12/06/2025
www.agate-territoires.fr
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Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
geneva-lepuy.chemindesaintjacques.com
www.amis-st-jacques.orgwww.mongr.fr
Map references :
IGN top 25 maps: 3430; 3330; 3331; 3232
Open period
All year round.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Stage 1: Geneva (St Peter's Cathedral) - Beaumont
Distance: 16 km
Time: 4 hours
Elevation gain :
It's time for the big start! From Geneva, this first stage takes in the old town, then Carouge and the Geneva countryside, before reaching the border. Pilgrims enter France via the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which the route crosses from east to west to reach Le Puy-en-Velay and the historic start of the Via Podiensis.
Stage 2: Beaumont - Chaumont
Distance: 25.2 km
Time: 7 hrs.
Elevation gain :
This second, fairly long stage takes hikers from Beaumont to Chaumont, crossing the countryside of the Genevois Haut-Savoyard region. The trail between Salève and Vuache offers lovely views of the Geneva basin and the Alps.
Stage 3: Chaumont - Hauteurs de Seyssel
Distance: 16 km
Time: 4 hrs.
Elevation gain :
Today's stage is divided into two beautiful sections. The first takes in the valley of the Usses river, which pilgrims cross at Frangy, before tackling the second, much more challenging part of the route. The hilly landscape of this hike leads to the heights of Seyssel, where the gîtes are located.
Stage 4: Heights of Seyssel - Chanaz
Distance: 22.4 km
Time: 6 h
Elevation gain :
An easy downhill stage from the heights of Seyssel to the pretty village of Chanaz, which welcomes 200,000 visitors every summer. While the first part of the stage leads to the confluence of the Fier and Rhône rivers, the second part takes in the Rhône basin, where man's mark on the landscape is very present in the form of housing, agriculture and industry.
Stage 5: Chanaz - Yenne
Distance: 16.7 km
Walking time: 4h30
Elevation gain :
Today's stage takes place entirely in the Savoie department between Chanaz and Yenne. Most of the GR© runs alongside the Rhône, which hikers leave at the start to gain height, and return to at the finish in the medieval village of Yenne. The Savoy vineyards mark the landscapes through which the hikers pass, as do the surrounding hills, in particular the Dent du Chat, visible to the southeast on the stage's panoramic sites.
Stage 6: Yenne - Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers
Distance: 24 km
Time: 6 hrs.
Elevation gain :
This is an athletic stage - there's no such thing as flat! From Yenne and the banks of the Rhône, hikers reach Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, having to cross Mont Tourbier, culminating at 880m altitude. The entire first part of the stage is devoted to climbing a wooded path on the mountainside, before descending to the banks of the Guiers. In terms of heritage, the Note-Dame de la Montagne chapel, a nod to Lyon's Fourvière basilica, is well worth a stop. At the finish line, a Saint-Genix praline brioche rewards the day's efforts!
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