Territory of experience
Massifs du Salève, des Voirons et du Vuache
Département et Région : Haute-Savoie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Principal passes: col des Pitons and col de la Croisette (Mont Salève), col de Saxel (Massif des Voirons)
Stage on P'tites Routes du Soleil® : Boege / La Muraz and La Muraz / Desingy
Summary
- Suggestions for cycling loops
- Our major passes
- Events around cycling
- Biking in the Monts du Genevois
- Summer in the Monts du Genevois
- Other seasons
- Other events
- Services
- Témoignages
- FAQ
- Access
- Contacts
- Other villages and resorts near the Monts de Genevois
Suggestions for cycling loops around the Monts de Genevois
From the Voirons to the Vuache via the Salève, explore a variety of itineraries combining plains, mid-mountains, bustling towns and peaceful countryside, with each bend revealing a new landscape.
Tour des Voirons: A perfect circuit to push your limits. You'll particularly appreciate the small Saxel pass (943 m), ideally located at the halfway point, with optimal characteristics for getting started in mountain biking!
Salève tour:Tour the Salève without dreading the steep slopes. Admire the panoramic views of Lake Geneva, Lake Annecy, Mont Blanc... This signposted cycle route awaits you for a cycling adventure around one of our 3 mountains.
In the footsteps of the Tour : Relive the experience of the Etape du Tour 2023 and ride the mountain roads and passes between Annemasse and Morzine. A course of 95.2 km and 2,100m of positive ascent awaits you to pedal in the footsteps of the great champions...
Our grands cols
Discover the Croisette, Pitons and Saxel passes! These iconic climbs promise stimulating challenges and breathtaking panoramas:
The Col de la Croisette, or the crossroads of the Salève! If the ascent of the Col de la Croisette is already sporty from the eastern side of the Salève (La Muraz), it's formidable from the western side (Collonges-sous-Salève), including a monstrous 3.650 km section at an average of over 12%. Fortunately, you can take a well-deserved break at the finish and enjoy a café on the terrace with a view of Mont Blanc.
Le Col des Pitons, or the highest point of the Salève.
At an altitude of 1,335m, from Cruseilles the ascent is on a steady 4.5% gradient that winds through the shade of the forest, it's ideal for the start of the season or during hot weather.
The Col de Saxel, or first col of the 2023 Tour de France Stage.
With its 12.3 km and average gradient of 4%, it's an exhilarating climb for road enthusiasts. Tight bends and panoramic views of Lake Geneva await you at the summit. If you want to make the climb a little tougher after the Col de Saxel, you can take the access road (outward/return) that leads to the Bethlehem Monastery higher up at 1,354 m.
Cycling events in the Monts du Genevois
The Monts du Genevois at the pace of cyclo events, gives this:
- In March every year, the course Annemasse-Bellegarde, the atmosphere of a pro race (announcer, biker escort...) adapted to rando-cyclo fashion.
- In June 2025, the professional cyclists of the Critérium du Dauphiné will take on the winding roads at the foot of the Vuache, offering an unprecedented challenge in the heart of the countryside: Critérium du Dauphiné
- Every year in September, the 4S du Salève invites seasoned cyclists and beginners alike to tackle the Salève from all 4 sides!
Cycling in the Monts de Genève
Take time to contemplate the view of the Geneva basin from the Salève on a road bike. Admire the Mont-Blanc chain from the summit of Voirons on a mountain bike.
Pedal through the fields on the ViaRhôna.
Go to Geneva on two wheels thanks to the voie Verte du Grand Genève. Here, the possibilities are as varied as the scenery.
In fact, Annemasse is the starting point for the 14th stage of the Tour de France in 2023!
Summer in the Monts de Genève
Summer in the Monts de Genève offers a symphony of pleasures.
Explore the hiking trails, take to the skies with the Salève cable car, picnic at Signal des Voirons or Tour Bastian, go barefoot on the Ferme de Chosal, dance to the rhythm of the Musical'été concerts and savour local culinary specialities. Between cultural festivals, outdoor activities and breathtaking panoramas, every day is an adventure to be lived intensely.
Returning in winter
In winter, the Salève invites you to explore its snow-covered mountain pastures, on snowshoes or cross-country skis. After a day of adventure, relax in the bubbles of theVitam Wellbeing area. In December, the magic of Christmas is in full swing with Bonjour l'hiver and le Grand Parc de Noël.
In spring and autumn, our guides will take you out to meet the flora and fauna. It's also the perfect time to learn more about local history at the Maison du Salève and to explore the Manoir des Livres. Each season offers a new adventure to explore in this region rich in diversity and surprises.
Other events
- Grandes Médiévales d'Andilly : end of May every year
- Guitare en Scène: in July every year
- Léman Blues Festival: mid-September every year
Services
The national Accueil Vélo brand lets you find at a glance the service providers and services suited to welcoming cycling tourists.
Accueil vélo is your guarantee of finding an establishment:
- located less than 5 km from a cycling route
- with facilities adapted to cyclists (secure bike shelter, repair kit...)
- with a warm welcome, practical information, advice on routes, weather...
- providing services dedicated to bike travelers: luggage transfer, laundry and drying, bike rental, bike washing.
The Monts du Genevois Tourist Office information office, at the Maison de la Mobilités et du Tourisme in Annemasse, has this label and is there to answer all your questions and guide you in your cycling discoveries of the destination. Find out more about our Accueil Vélo label partners on the France Vélo Tourisme website.
The map
The map
2 Boëge / La Muraz
3 La Muraz / Desingy
Testimonials
"The panorama at the Col de la Croisette is totally worth the climb!" Maxime
"A little something extra after Saxel: the Covaz climb, unbeatable views on the way down to Lake Geneva!" Gilles
"A great playground to prepare for the Etape du Tour 2024 with friends" Matéo
"I went there by bike the climb is deadly but fun, nice experience and nice view " Mathis Manderioli
FAQ
- What are the 3 massifs that make up the Monts du Genevois?
The Monts de Genève are a destination nestled between 3 massifs. These three massifs each have their own particularity: the wild and indomitable Vuache, the surprising and mysterious Salève and the protected and secretive Voirons.
- What famous cycle routes cross the Monts du Genevois?
- La voieVerte du Grand Genève, linking Bonne to Geneva
- La Via Rhôna, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean
These two cycle routes join the Tour du Lac Léman itinerary, another great challenge for cyclists!
What Tour de France cyclist hails from the Monts du Genevois?
Professional cyclist Aurélien Paret-Peintre, at the start, among others, of the Tour de France 2024, is from Annemasse.- Is it possible to enjoy the view of the Salève without effort?
Of course, board the Salève cable car (with or without your bike), you'll be at the top in 4 minutes and without effort, to you the exceptional panoramas!
Access
By train:
- Annemasse station
- Saint-Julien-en-Genevois station
- Valleiry station
- Machilly station
These 4 stations offer regular connections from Geneva, Lyon, Annecy...
By plane:
- Geneva airport: the airport is accessible by train in 30 min from Annemasse, by bus in 1h from Saint-Julien-en-Genevois.
By road:
- A41 freeway, exit 13: Saint-Julien-en-Genevois
- A40 freeway, exit 13.1: Valleiry, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Archamps
- Autoroute A40, exit 14: Annemasse
The destination is ideally located: 2h from Aosta, 1h30 from Lyon and Grenoble, 1h from Chamonix and 30 minutes from Annecy.
Contacts
☎ 04 50 95 07 10 www.montsdugenevois.com
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