Day Trips from Geneva with Hiking and Driving Involved

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hi,

We are new owners of a new car and after living in GVA area for 2 years are keen to explore day trips (say driving an hour or two) and then hiking...Also mother-in-law soon visiting so any beautiful out-of-the-way locations you can recommend would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

2
Chamonix is close and hikes of all sizes are easy to find. The side of the valley opposite Mont Blanc is best, because you get great views of the range of mountains opposite. There are several cable cars to take you up high. Either hang around the restaurant next door (with mother-in-law) or do an easy walk from one to another. Lac Blanc is a VERY popular destination. Beautiful, but packed with tourists on a nice day.

If you have energy to spare, I have a favorite power hike that takes me from the valley (park close to the Lac des Gaillands fishing pond) up to the Bellachat refuge. 1200m of climbing. Expect to meet no more than a dozen people, even on a summer's day.

Another fantastic place is Italian Val Ferret. Take the Mont Blanc tunnel and take the first left in the Val d'Aoste. It is a beautiful river valley (good for trout fishing) in larch forest with spectacular views of some famous alpine climbs. The Tour de Mont Blanc runs close by, so good trails too. In the village of Lavancher there is a rustic restaurant, for fishermen and tourists. Nothing fancy. (PS old news, I haven't been back for ages).

3
The Jura is great too - go to Nyon then up towards the Col du Marchairuz and walk the ridge in either directions with fabulous views of the Alps. Or over the top and down to Lac de Joux and walk around the lake - and have lunch at La Truite. And of course you have to go to Gruyères- along the lake to Vevey and then up towards Fribourg. From there you can do the loop by Chateau d'oex, and Gstaad, then on and over to Charmey (visit the spa baths) and down to Bulle and back to Vevey.

Or along the South shore of the Lake to lovely Yvoire for lunch, and visit the Jardin des Sens, and back via Villeneuve and Montreux.

Or to the spa bath at Val d'Illiez and walking in the Champéry area (take cable car to top) opposite my favourite moutains, the Dents du Midi.

Or to the Rhone Valley and up to the spa baths at Ovronnaz. Or keep going on to Sion and up to the Val D'Hérens and really cute Evolène and the Arolla Glacier. There are virtually millions of fab places to go from Geneva, in every direction! Enjoy.