Hike /Erlebnis Geologie (swisstopo)
Vieux-Emosson Geological Trail
Giétroz (Lac d'Emosson)Giétroz
- Distance
- 7.8 km
- Duration
- 2:40 h
- Ascent
- 538 m
- Descent
- 105 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
Two high-altitude reservoirs, open slopes and 240-million-year-old reptile tracks characterise this geological themed trail, which climbs through rocky, unmarked terrain to just under 2'400 m on its final section.
From the Lac d’Emosson stop, the trail initially descends to Lac d’Emosson. The reservoir lies in a broad, open mountain landscape, with rocky slopes framing the water. The route then climbs again, following a panoramic trail across open slopes to Lac du Vieux Emosson.
The Sentier géologique du Vieux-Emosson is dedicated to the 240-million-year-old tracks of prehistoric reptiles. The trail reaches the second high-altitude reservoir before continuing to gain elevation. After around five kilometres, the route leaves the marked hiking-trail network; the terrain becomes rockier and requires careful route-finding.
The final ascent leads over bare slopes and rocky terrain to the highest point at just under 2'400 m. The nearest stop, Pied du barrage, is a little over four kilometres away; the hike ends here, away from public transport, at Giétroz.
Route data: swisstopo / Erlebnis Geologie · opendata.swiss BY · Source
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
Larches count as conifer forest here.
07/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
