RUSSIN AND THE RIVER RHÔNE

There are several nature reserves around Geneva. The Réserve naturelle des Teppes de Verbois is in Russin.

Russin is one of Geneva’s wine growing villages, and is easily accessible by train. The hike along the Rhône river is an easy walk, through a forest with wooden observation houses for bird watching. The walk will take you along the Rhône, and towards the Allondon River. At the end you can cross the river underneath a train bridge.

If you got here by train from Geneva, you can probably do a round loop and head back to the village of Russin from there. We usually come here by car, so we always walk back. In Russin, you could have lunch at the restaurant “Le Vignoble Doré” and you can also try to see if you can buy apples directly from local farms such as Domaine des Molards.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Geneva, by train to Russin. No need to walk up to the village but walk down, crossing the train tracks, and continue until you see a large parking area on your right-hand side. Your walk starts here.

For more family friendly hikes around Geneva, check out this article on Let’s Explore

GENEVA’S VINEYARDS, APPLES AND FÊTE DE LA SAINT-MARTIN 

Geneva’s vineyards are particularly beautiful in autumn as the leaves start to change colour. A famous area to walk in Switzerland in autumn is of course the area of the vineyards of Lavaux which is a Unesco World Heritage site. But the Geneva vineyards are beautiful as well and in easy reach if you don’t want to go out for a full day. We usually start from Satigny, and walk up towards the higher Bourdigny, then on to Choully or Peissy, and back down again.

Just remember that this is not a car free hike, but there will be very few cars. In Peissy, you will probably have the opportunity to buy apples directly from the farmer at Domaine des Perrières.

A good day to note for this trip is the day of the local festival ‘Fete de la Saint-Martin’. This year’s date of this local festival where you can eat local foods and taste local wines is on Saturday 9 November 2019.

GORGE DE LA JOGNE – near Gruyères

Our most recent discovery is very close to Gruyères and a combination of a visit to this typical Swiss village and a hike is just perfect! The Gorges de la Jogne hike is easy, but you absolutely need to wear good shoes! The hike closes for the winter season and you therefore always need to check their website in advance to see if it’s open. It usually is open until end of October or mid-November, depending on weather conditions. Even though the hike is easy, it also feels like an adventurous one as it will lead you alongside a beautiful gorge, through adventurous dark tunnels and over bridges. We absolutely loved this hike!

Driving distance from Geneva: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

Starting point of this hike: Parking des Gorges de la Jogne when you exit the town of Broc.

To find out more about Gruyères, check out this article on Let’s Explore.

VESANCY AND A CUTE CHAPEL ON THE HILL – Pays-de-Gex

We love this cute chapel on a hill with autumn colours as a back drop! It’s not a signposted hike and not a round loop, but a nice walk here gives you a beautiful view on the Jura on one side and the Lake and Alps on the other side. The ‘Chapelle de Rianmont’ is the starting point of this hike through fields. The chapel is often open, so you can have a look inside. We usually come here for a picnic with a view!

You can combine this walk with a visit to the Sunday market in Divonne-les-bains which is held weekly from 8:00 til 14:00.

HOW TO GET TO THE CHAPEL

Vesancy is between Gex and Divonne. Once you are in Vesancy, continue on the main road and pass the city hall and the castle. You then turn left before exiting the town on the road ‘Rue de la Chapelle’. Wooden signs will indicate the way to the parking lot.

For more photos or autumn hike inspiration, check out this article on Let’s Explore.

CASCADES DU HÉRISSON, Jura 

This hike is further away from Geneva, but if you live here, we think you should do this hike at least once. Especially in autumn or spring as obviously there will be more water coming from the waterfalls. The Cascades du Hérisson hike takes about 3 hours (7 km’s back and forth) and leads you from one waterfall to another. The highest waterfall is L’Eventail at 65 meters high. Really a beautiful place!

Driving distance from Geneva: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Starting point: Parking of Maison des Cascades.

More info, including a map: https://www.regiondeslacs.fr/the-herisson-falls.htm

We hope you will enjoy these outings, be sure to let us know in case you do, and tag Things to do in Geneva and Let’s Explore in your photos on Instagram!

WHO IS LAURA?

Our guest blogger Laura writes her own blog – Let’s Explore, where she shares her tips and ideas for travelling with children, and hiking and skiing around Geneva. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in Switzerland with her French-Swiss husband and two boys. Passionate about cultures – whether they be far away or closer to home, she sees moving around as a ‘school of life’. When she is not moving around, she still discovers cultures by cooking recipes with locals from multiple countries! If you would like to find out more about Let’s Explore’s travel tips or recipes, you can visit her blog, or follow her Facebook or Instagram Pages.