Overview: Easy but longer walk

Time: around 2-2,5 hours           Km: 9             Hight to climb: around 50m

Autumn has started in the Pays de Gex. I love this time of year. The cooler temperatures, the warm fall colours. So many beautiful things to see and explore this time of the year.

The walk from Ornex to Collex-Bossy is great all year round (but maybe a little too hot on some days in July or August)

This is a roundtrip walk and your starting point can be from Ornex, Collex-Bossy or Ferney. You will find the map a the end of this post.

Did you know there are more than 200 border stones marking the boundary between France and Switzerland? On this walk you’ll be passing a good few of them.

With all of the the zig-zagging between France and Switzerland, remember to bring your identity papers.

Whenever I cross the fields from Ornex towards Collex-Bossy while enjoying the view towards Mont Blanc, I always think I am so lucky to be able to enjoy a view that so many people dream about seeing just once in their lifetime.

Once you arrive in Collex, you’ll be amazed by the charm these small villages in Switzerland have. Everything is tidy, and I think everyone must be a hobby gardener in their spare time. Compare this to France, where things just seem a bit more, well… unruly. Or maybe it’s just the Swiss mentality shining through.

On this walk, you will be walking past a couple of farm shops which at this time of year have their shelves fully stocked, so do bring some money (cash) and support them by buying some local produce.

Leaving the village towards the roundabout in Collex, keep walking straight until Chemin de Orcy and another sign signalizing that you can buy apples and fresh eggs. Here, turn left.

You will be walking past an apple orchard, with cows grazing quietly in a field. What could possibly be more Swiss? Across the street I spotted horses. I wish I’d known about all of this while my kids were small. How fun would it not be for a 5-year old to pick your own apples?

Continuing, follow the yellow walking signposts and cross over the fields – and a small forest – towards La Vielle Batie. Quickly pass the houses and find the path that goes to Bois Chatton.

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At the entrance to Bois Chatton you will soon come across the first border stone, brandishing a “G” on one side (for Geneva) and a Fleur de Lys on the French side.

Do not proceed into the woods (OK, no wolves, but still…) but chose instead the path to the left and you will soon walk past one of the CERN sites. Here, you can make a stop to learn a few things about particle physics. (Yes, it’s educational!)

Soon, you’ll be walking past one border stone after another, keep walking until you reach the wide road (Route de Bois-Chatton).

Cross this road and re-enter the woods. Walk until you see the barrier, then turn left and you’ll find yourself walking back to the fields of Collex.

Follow the edge of the fields until you’re almost back to where you started. Now, cross back into France and walk past the vines. There’s no real path here, so make sure you have the small stream called Le Gobé (whatever that means) to your left when facing Mont Black (I walked on the other side of the stream and ended up crossing a private garden, something I won’t recommend).

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After about 100 meters and passing another 3 or 4 border stones, you’ll be back on the path again. You can now choose left or right: both options will take you to the “main” path that goes between Ferney-Voltaire and Collex-Bossy. After descending some stairs, walk to the right and you will soon find the new walk and bicycle path that goes between Ferney-Voltaire and Ornex which will take you back to your starting point.

How to get there:

I parked my car along the Rue des Fins.

You can also easily use public transport no matter where you chose to start from. In Ornex, the nearest bus stop will be Preneplan if you take the F bus. In Ferney-Voltaire, there are different bus stops: the nearest is Ferney-Lycee on the 66 route. For Collex-Bossy, take bus 52 and leave at Bossy.

Happy walking, and feel free to share!