Tag Archives: walking

Winter Activity

France: Giron, winter hiking on snowshoes and cross-country skiing

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Because La Vattay is the nearest place for me to go cross-country skiing, it’s where I often end up on a nice and sunny day.

But on those nice and sunny weekends when the sheer amount of traffic up towards Col de La Faucille is just crazy, why not try going to a real local place that offers great trails for both the cross-country skiers and on foot.

I discovered the small village of Giron just a few years ago, and it has since become my preferred resort on those days where I just know I’ll spend more time looking for a parking space at La Vattay than actually skiing.

This year, with all the alpine ski resorts closed and shops being sold out for snowshoes, it feels like the whole of Geneva and Pays de Gex take the same route up past Gex and into the Jura mountains at exactly the same time.

This is why Giron, located in the Ain department, is a good alternative. From the greater Geneva region, it takes you about one hour to drive. To get there, all you have to do is drive past Bellegarde and take the local road (not the A40) towards Nantua. Roughly mid-way between Bellegarde and Nantua, at Saint-Germain-de-Joux, you take right and follow the signpost towards Giron. Another few minutes, and you’re there.

Giron is located 1,000 meters above sea level (it even says “Giron 1000” on the signs) and it’s the highest village in the Ain department. Even so, it is relatively low in comparison to many resorts you’ll find on the Jura plateau. In recent years, with relatively mild winters, the snow have melted earlier there than on some of the more north-facing trails elsewhere, especially those at La Vattay. If you’re in doubt about the current snow conditions you can call the Relais Nordique (0033 676 24 52 12) to check with them whether the trails are open, or you can consult the snow report (unfortunately only in French).

As with most of these resorts in our various backyards, for a daytrip you need to have access to a car as public transport is not really an option. If you go for the weekend, Le Relais Nordique has a pickup service that will collect you in Bellegarde.

Interestingly, Giron is the point of arrival for participants in the 76 km long cross country ski race competition La Transjurassienne. The Transjurassienne is the world’s second longest cross-country ski competition, normally taking place in February every year.

Apart from the weekend when the Transjurassienne takes place, Giron is very much a quiet little local station. You won’t find the same number of trails as they have at La Vattay, but the upside is that it is not as busy. Even on a Sunday, you will find parking relatively easy. In the village centre there’s a rental shop and bar/restaurant, as well as restroom facilities, all in one building. At the counter of the rental shop, friendly staff will help you find the right skis or snowshoes. Whenever the nasty Covid virus decide to pack it in, you should be able to enjoy a nice lunch and hot and cold drinks at the Relais Nordique. Even last Sunday, the smell of hot wine was just divine and very inviting.

In the meantime we have to take a packed lunch with us and enjoy it outside. Which can be very nice too.

In order to check out the map of trails, click here for skis and snowshoes.

If you are not in possession of your own equipment, skis, snowshoes and sledges can be rented at Le Relais Nordique. For prices, click here.

Whether you select the green, blue or red trail, you will be passing Cirque de la Fauconniere on the way back to the starting point. This is a spectacular 150-meter-high cliff wall (you’ll pass the summit). On a nice and sunny day, you will be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the Semine valley from this viewpoint. My photo from last Sunday when everything was covered in mist doesn’t really give justice to this spectacular view.

Finally, on your way back, don’t forget to stop in Saint-Germain-de-Joux to check out the local river and its “marmites”. These rock hollows, carved out by the river over millennia, are accessible by a 5-minute walk from the town centre. Just follow the signs! For a longer walk around the “marmite” you should try this walk that I blogged about last year. The Giant Kettles in Saint Germain de Joux (les marmites de geant) and Combe Michel

I hope you enjoy, and feel free to share!

Walks in Geneva

Switzerland: Graffiti and floating water in Richelien (Versoix, Geneva)

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Overview: Easy walk

Time: around 1 hour            Km: 3

Hight to climb: around 20 meters

Some walks are perfect whatever the weather and whatever the season. This short walk that I found in Richelien along the Canal de Versoix in the Geneva canton is just that.

It took me less than an hour but can be made longer or shorter as there are many pathways to explore. The pathways are wide enough for a stroller or a small bike, so this walk will be perfect if you have small children with you. It will also be perfect if the only the time and the only energy you have is for a for a short walk.

When walking on the nicely made pathway with eyes resting on the trees and all the beautiful houses and gardens, it is difficult to imagine the busy life that was once the daily life for people living and having their factories and workshops along the river La Versoix.

The Versoix river was an important source for hydropower for a number of establishments in the mid-1900th century. There was a number of wheat mills, factories for tools and iron cutting and paper mills found along the river. On this gentle stroll I did not see any sings of this industrial heritage. I will come back with a longer walk going more into detail about what traces can still be found from this time period.

How to get there: There is a small parking literally right under the motorway. For exact coordinates see below in the Google map window. If you don’t have a car and still want to explore this walk and the region, the Richelien bus stop is only a few meters away. This stop is on the 55 bus route going to Chavannes-des-Bois, to check the timetable click here for Tpg.

Happy walking, and feel free to share!

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Reflectors, and how to be seen in the dark!

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If you do not wear a reflector you choose to be invisible in the dark.

Did you know that if you walk along a road without a reflector the driver of a car will only see you when he or she is only 25-30 meters away? When using a reflector, you will be seen from a distance of 140 meters. If you convert this to seconds, it means that if you do not use a reflector the driver of a car going 50 km/h only has 2 seconds to react, versus 10 seconds if you carry a reflector.

It could be the difference between life and death!

Street lighting creates a false security. Many people believe that reflectors are not necessary when walking along well-lit roads. It is important to know that even if you see the car, the driver does not necessarily see you. Wearing at least one reflector is therefore an important and very cheap life insurance when you are out and about in the dark.

This is me outside without reflectors – can you see me?
Here I am with reflectors

Over the years, as this region has become more populated, I have become increasingly worried about driving in the dark. The reason for this is that more people are now walking along the roads in the evenings. In the Pays de Gex area, we are not spoiled with great traffic infrastructure and streetlights. Nor does it help that the prevailing fashion seems to involve wearing dark clothes in the winter season (or any time of year).

Coming from a cold and dark country I’ve often wondered why the knowledge of reflectors is almost non-existent around here. In my native country Norway, people are very aware of the advantages of using reflectors. Still, some people tend to forget, so every year there are nation-wide advertising campaigns for their use. There is even a Reflector Day every year in mid-October or so to mark the entrance into the darker season. I have never seen any encouragements to use this simple and potential lifesaving little thing around here in France… Only the serious bikers seem to have understood that to be spotted in traffic you need to have both lights and reflectors on your bike and clothes.

Reflectors are also among the easiest and cheapest advertising tools. In Norway they are easily available and can often be picked up free of charge at insurance companies, banks, shops etc. It makes me wonder why nobody down here have not seen this as a great way to do publicity!

Please: when you go for a stroll in the dark, make sure you have:

  1. Reflectors attached to all your winter coats and bags.
  2. Moving reflectors (suspended from your clothes) are the most visible.
  3. Make sure these are the same height as car lights – knee height.
  4. Use at least 2 reflectors so that you are visible from all angles.
  5. If your reflector has lots of scratches it won’t work well, so get a new one!

Lets stay protected and wear reflectors when it is dark. Fell free to share!

Short

France: Challex, and parcours de la Corbière

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Overview: Easy and a little sporty

Time: around 1,5 hours               Km: 4                   Hight to climb: 148 meters

I have recently been made aware of the Japanese concept of “forest bathing”, which is said to reduce stress and worry (in my home country of Norway I guess we’d just call it hiking in the woods, but there you go…) On my little exploration walk in Challex I started thinking about how lucky I am to have nature so close to where I live. People living in big cities go to the park to connect with nature. Me, living in the Pays de Gex, have the choice between many different forests and nature reserves. The best of it is that often, these walks in the local nature can be combined with French village charms.

Challex is a bit off the beaten tracks for me. I have never had any friends living there, so I’ve never had any real reasons for going there. Now, after having discovered this short but sporty walk, I’ll definitely go back again.

As for most of the villages in Pays the Gex, the easiest way to get there is by car. Using public transport, Tpg will take you there from Switzerland on the T bus.

I parked just outside the school (Rue des Ecoles) in the village and started my walk from there.

Walk in direction Bellegarde. After a few meters you will see a gravel road. Continue downhill on this road and walk past the vines. When this path ends, walk to the left onto Chemin de Corbet and continue until you reach a fountain. Walk to the right, and you will very soon see a sign telling you that you are on the “Parcours de la Corbiere”. Continue on this path and it will take you down towards the Rhone.

When you see this block that tells the story of the Chateau le la Corbière, walk to the left and into the woods.

The Chateau de la Corbière was built in the twelfth century by the Count of Geneva. By then, Challex had some commercial and political rights and controlled a bridge made of wood that spanned the Rhone river. On the other side of the bridge was the small town of Epeisses, which was controlled by the chateau. Today, Epeisses is in Switzerland and the village is no longer where it used to be. In the 13th century, the level of hostility between the Count of Geneva and the Savoyards eventually resulted in a war. The chateau and the bridge were subsequently completely destroyed by the Savoyards.

Unfortunately, I was not able to find a single trace of the chateau. Maybe you are luckier?

I found this, however, and with a little more work who knows it could turn into a chateau.

Leaving the forest, I walked down under the bridge to have a look at the Rhone. That’s where I came across this house which I think must have been an old mill. The people living here have a magnificent view. Just imagine having your breakfast on the terrace on a summer day, with the Rhone gliding gently by.

What a luxury!

Now, on to the sporty part. I hadn’t really realized that until now, my walk had been mostly downhills. From here on, you’ll get reminded about your heart and lungs! When you see this crossing, walk left and continue up, up and even more up on to the Rue du Chateau.

On Rue de la Treille, walk to the left and through the little village centre of Challex. If the Auberge is open, you can enjoy a drink on the terrace overlooking the woods below, where you’ve just enjoyed your forest bath. Continue for a few more meters and you will be back to your starting point.

Enjoy discovering Challex, and feel free to share!

Short, Walks around Pays de Gex

France: Marais de l’Etournel in Pougny

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The Etournel marsh is located in the communes of Pougny and Collonges and not far from the river Rhône. The park is especially designated for the conservation of marsh birds, fish and plants.

You can download this map and a folder that contains more information about the park and the various plant and animal species you can find there here, only available in French.

Following the cessation of pebble extraction in 1990, the area has been recolonized by wet woodlands.

Spread over 190 hectares you will find woodlands, reed beds, ponds and meadows. Together this constitutes an essential reservoir of biodiversity and acts as an important stopover for migrating birds.

Walking around the 9 ponds, you are given plenty of opportunity to watch birds and other animals in their biotope. Nearly 210 different species have been observed nesting, wintering or stopping over while migrating. It is also the habitat for several mammals like beaver, deer, hare and polecat.

If you are very lucky, you can catch a glimpse of beavers in action. The beavers are night animals it is therefore more likely that you will find the result of their work. Beavers cut down threes for food and for building dams and lodges. Beaver teeth never stop growing so chewing wood helps keep them sharp and prevents them from growing too long

If you have a fishing rod, buy a licence and try your luck. Fishing is allowed in pond 1-6 of the 9 ponds.

The loops takes around one hour to finish. However when you visit, I will recommend you to not rush, but bring a picnic blanket, a thermos of coffee, binoculars and plenty of time.

If you want to read more about wetland biodiversity and why it matters you can find reading material in English, French and Spanish here.

If visiting between the 15th September and 15th November the park is closed for visitors between 18.00 and 08.00 every day. This is because this is the mating season for the deer, if you violate the visiting hours you might find yourself with a hefty fine.

Enjoy visiting Marais Etournel, and feel free to share!