The Geneva Way Geneva Way

Arrive in Geneva and enjoy a walk around this cosmopolitan city. Don’t miss the ‘jet d’eau’, Geneva’s iconic lake fountain, and don’t forget to taste ‘fondue’ and Switzerland’s finest chocolate.

From Geneva, you will reach the border and cross at St Julien-en-Genevois. From there, you will gain some elevation and explore the flanks of Mount Salève. This itinerary offers a beautiful panoramic views of the Jura Mountains, and in particular on the summit of ‘Crêt de la Neige’. En route you will pass the ruins of the ancient monastery of ‘Chartreuse de Pomier’.

Today, the Geneva Way trail takes you across beautiful rolling hills and country landscapes, heading West to Charly. Here you should visit the Saint James chapel and statue before continuing on to Contamines and Sarzin. Enjoy the views of the Barbannaz waterfall below, before reaching Frangy.

Today you will be walking South, across lush valleys. The Camino route passes above the village of Seyssel and other picturesque villages before descending to the Rhône River and the ‘Pont du Fier’, gate to the Savoie region and its vineyards.

Today’s walk will take see you follow the GR 65. Your path passes Pont de la Loi and joins the GR 9 (Jura – Mediterranean) for a short stretch of road. Your Camino journey then takes you to the village of Chanaz, crossed by the Canal Savières between the Rhone and the Lac du Bourget (where you can stop for a beautiful boat trip). The architecture of the village and proximity of the canal give today’s itinerary a special charm.

Today, you will continue your Camino from Chanaz atop Mount St Romain. The walking route leaves the banks of the Rhône to gain altitude and cross the Jongieux vineyards at the foot of Mont du Chat. A short descent will brings you back to the Rhône valley and on to Yenne where you should visit its 12th century church.

After this medieval stage, the profile of the Geneva Way becomes mountainous again. You will walk up Mount Tournier (877 m) before descending gradually on to the plain of St Maurice Rotherens (650 m). The descent will continue to the Truison River, then head back to the Chapel Pigneux, dominating the village of St. Genix sur Guiers, home town of the brioche with red pralines (a must-taste!).

Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers is the final point for this stage of the Geneva Way. A former walled town, you will find some of the old ramparts if you go for a stroll. The old town is well preserved and you can visit the recently refurbished church, not far from the centre.

Today, you will leave behind the mountains of Savoy and enter the Isère region. You will spot the first adobe houses, traditional in the region. The Geneva Way – Camino de Santiago runs along the Guiers River and then ‘leap frogs’ along the hilly landscape, taking you to Charancieu (393 m), then Valencogne, where you will see a tryptic of St James in the local church.

Today, the Camino trail takes you to Bièvre-Valloire country. The trail passes near Lake Paladru, through the former Carthusian monastery Sylve Bénite (monastic site founded around 1116) and leads, after climbing to Soulier (702 m), to The Farm Futeau, surrounded by nature. A final steep descent will take you to Grand Lemps. We have sourced a very special property for your accommodation tonight, you will be staying at an artist’s house.

Today you have a flat and easy walking day ahead. The Geneva Way will take you past at least three castles. Music lovers will be interested to know La Côte-Saint-André is the birthplace of composer Hector Berlioz. Each year, the town hosts a music festival in honour of its most famous son.

Today you have a long walking day ahead. After Mount Cardon, you will be walking in rich woodland, on your way to Faramans and then Pommier de Beaurepaire. After crossing the shady Favan Tourdan woods you will reach Revel. The surrounding hills are filled with chestnut groves and lush fields. The Camino will take you to the villages of Moissieu-sur-Dolon, the site of the former Hospice of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem; and finally to Bellegarde-Poussieu where you should visit the Chapel of Our Lady of La Salette, from the 13th century.

Today, after passing St Romain de Surieu (249 m), the Carrefour du Grand Oak welcomes you to the ‘Bois de Limone’ woods before joining Assieu. With the Monts du Pilat in the skyline, you will cross the orchards of Auberive and Clonas on Varèze to emerge in the Rhone Valley. You will cross the river separating the departments of Isère and the Loire to reach Chavanay and its church at the foot of the Monts du Pilat, your finishing point.

Chavanay is a small town with plenty of charm. Take some time to explore its pretty medieval streets and taste some of the local delicacies.

Today you will leave the Rhone Valley and start your Camino journey with a bit of a climb. Enjoy beautiful views of the meandering river near the Calvary Chapel. The Camino de Santiago then leads to the Bessey apple orchards, St Appolinard and St Julien Molin, before descending to Bourg-Argental.

Make sure you visit the 12th century St Andrew Church and its portal, a protected monument. After leaving the village following the D503 road, you will continue your Camino walk across the hills of St Sauveur en Rue before ascending to Col Tracol (1062 m). You will be staying the night in the hilltop hamlet of Sétoux.

Today, the Camino trail takes you through various tiny hamlets such as Lhermet and Coirolles before reaching the Viallou forest. You will also walk to the beautiful hamlet of Chomats and finally reach Montfaucon en Velay, where you will be staying the night.

Today you will leave Montfaucon by ‘Du Pont Stadium’. No main villages on this stage, across the granite plateau of Montfaucon, but the route passes by many farms. You will cross Tence and finally head to the small town St Jeures, where you will stay for the night.

Today, the Camino takes you to Raffy, at 1276m, one of the highlights of the week. This section of the Camino rewards walkers with beautiful views of the volcanic peaks of the Meygal region. After the village of Monedeyres and its non consecrated church built by the locals, two routes can be taken to St Julien: the GR65 or the way of St James which is 3km shorter and offers yet more ‘wilderness’.

Before continuing your Camino journey, visit the beautiful church of St Julien. The Geneva Way will take you today to St Germain Laprade and Brives Charensac before reaching the impressive city of Le Puy en Velay. Explore Le Puy’s historic centre and breath taking cathedral, a listed UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nestled between the Auvergne volcanoes and the Rhone Alps valley, Le Puy’s lively old city impresses visitors with great views over the surrounding mountains. Make sure you explore the city before you leave! From Le Puy en Velay, pilgrims can continue their journey to Santiago along the Le Puy Way, one of the classic Camino routes in France.