Au fil de la Versoix

The hiking trail follows the watercourse of the Versoix with its natural, forested banks. On the way from the French border to lake Geneva, several nature reserves are crossed. Remains of mills bear witness to the former use of the river as a source of energy.

The hike begins at the Sauverny, douane bus stop on the edge of the village of Sauverny. The trail soon leaves the first houses behind and climbs gently between open meadows and woodland. After just over one and a half kilometres, the route reaches its highest point at around 460 m near Mont de Barie.

The trail then continues through the forest for some distance. A little off the route stands the ruin of La Bâtie Beauregard, one of the few surviving remnants of a medieval castle in the canton of Geneva. Around La Bâtie, stretches of woodland alternate with open ground before the route reaches the Canal de Versoix. The trail follows the canal for almost four kilometres, giving this flat middle section a clear direction.

Towards the end, the Versoix replaces the canal as the trail’s companion. The route winds among the houses of Versoix, with Lake Geneva already close by. After around ten kilometres and just over two hours, the hike ends at Versoix railway station.