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Walking itinerary : le Pas de l'Échelle
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Description
Classic Salève hike, round trip to the Upper Station of the Cableway from the district of Pas de l'Échelle in Etrembières. Discover the history of the oldest trail of the Salève, with an impressive panorama !
The hike of the Pas de l'Echelle will make you discover a rich natural and historical heritage in the heart of the Salève mountain. The climb is first made by an old trail dating from the 14th century, original by its steps carved out of stone, allowing to cross the rocky bar between the Petit Salève and the Salève.
You will then walk towards the village of Monnetier and its castle built on the cliff side at the beginning of the 16th century, by François-Prosper of Geneva-Lullin. Retrace the history of the Golden Age of Geneva tourism in the 19th century, as evidenced by the tunnel of the Old Funicular and its railway that you will have the opportunity to observe during your walk.
The Station of arrival of the Cable Car, the highest point of the route, offers a superb view of the Geneva basin and the Lake Geneva.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Additional information
Open period
All year round daily.
Please check with the Tourist Office beforehand for current access conditions.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Tips
You can extend the walk beyond the village of Le Pas de l'Echelle by taking the cross-border path to Sierne (guidebook available in local libraries). Along the way are information panels on the biological corridors created by local schoolchildren. Sights include the lakes and marshes of the islands in the River Arve, bourgeois residences in Sierne and Veyrier and the castle and chapel in Etrembières.
Updated by
Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Savoie - 24/11/2025
www.hautesavoiexperience.fr
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Environments
Lake view
Mountain view
Mountain location
Panoramic view
Contact
Phone : 04 50 04 71 63
Email : ot@montsdugenevois.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MontsduGenevois/
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Not suitable for strollers
Location complements
Access (by car): From Annemasse, take the D1206 towards the Salève cable car. Follow the signs for the Salève cable car until you reach the cable car parking area.
Bus, line TAC 4 stop "Veyrier Douane".
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Topo guide: Pays du Salève et du Vuache à pied - 37 walks and hikes on sale at the tourist office.
Map references :
TOP 25 IGN 3430 OT - MONT-SALÈVE / SAINT-JULIEN-EN-GENEVOIS / ANNEMASSE
Reception complements
The path crosses an area protected by a prefectoral biotope bylaw. Comply with the regulations displayed at its entrance.
To find out the timetable and closing dates for the Salève cable car, check the following website: www.telepheriquedusaleve.com or phone +33 (0) 450 398 686.
Tricky passages
Avoid taking shortcuts (unstable terrain, falling stones possible)
Slippery passage in rainy weather. A portion of the route is marked by mountain bikes, be vigilant.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
0/ Parking at the Salève cable car
1/ At the cable car parking, follow the departure station on the right by Chemin Berlioz to reach the directional post «Les Teppes».
2/ At the post «Les Teppes» follow «Téléphérique Gare Supérieur par Monnetier», the next post you will encounter will be «Chemin de Veyrier».
3/ Arrived at «Chemin de Veyrier» continue towards «La Touvière».
4/ A «La Touvière» continue by following «L’Ermitage».
5/ From «L'Ermitage» always follow the direction of «L'Observatoire», you will have to go through the following directional posts: «Monnetier Église», «L'Oratoire», and «Pré Berger».
6/ Arrived at «Pré Berger» follow «Téléphérique Gare Supérieur par Monnetier» and you have arrived.
7/ Take the same route in the opposite direction to get back down and reach your starting point.
Animals
Yes. Pets allowed on leash only. First category dogs are not allowed in Salève cable car stations and cabins.
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