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From Saint-Gingolph to Novel, hiking between lake and moutain

Sport, Pedestrian sports, Hiking itinerary in Saint-Gingolph
11.3 km
4h 30min
Medium

  • The route goes through Saint Gingolph, a half-French and half Swiss border village ; then Novel, a typical mountain village. On the Swiss side, the trail passes at the foot of the imposing wall of the "Tomb of the Germans".

  • Straddling France and Switzerland, this itinerary takes you to the heights of Saint-Gingolph and the village of Novel, the smallest commune in Haute-Savoie with about 50 inhabitants and an altitude of 960 metres.
    On the way, magnificent views of the upper lake, the Swiss coast and the Vaud Alps await you.
    On the way down, you will discover the hamlet of La Frête on a pass overlooking Lake Geneva.

    Marking details : Blue markings and yellow signs (Swiss).

    Map references : TOP 25 N°3528 ET...
    Straddling France and Switzerland, this itinerary takes you to the heights of Saint-Gingolph and the village of Novel, the smallest commune in Haute-Savoie with about 50 inhabitants and an altitude of 960 metres.
    On the way, magnificent views of the upper lake, the Swiss coast and the Vaud Alps await you.
    On the way down, you will discover the hamlet of La Frête on a pass overlooking Lake Geneva.

    Marking details : Blue markings and yellow signs (Swiss).

    Map references : TOP 25 N°3528 ET Morzine Massif du Chablais Les Portes du Soleil
  • Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
    1/ Departure : quay of Saint-Gingolph (France)
    2/ From the quay, go up towards the village church then take the GR 5 (follow the signs of the "Léman Forest" accrobranche park which runs along the GR 5 for about 1 km). The GR leaves the forest by crossing the RD 30. Continue along the path on the right to reach the village of Novel.
    3/ Turn left onto the RD 30 going down towards Saint Gingolph. At the first hairpin bend, take the path on the right and cross the border stream, "la Morge". Then follow the Swiss signs (yellow signs).
    4/ Take the road on the left for 200 m before taking the forest track on the right (direction La Frête - Pré Balin - Saint Gingolph).
    5/ To reach the Frête pass, leave the track on the right to follow the path which rises quickly. After the pass, the path winds down behind the small house with green walls. At the junction, follow it to the left towards Le Bouveret.
    6/ Join a track and continue to the road. Cross the road, go straight ahead, and find the road and follow it to Saint Gingolph.
  • Departure
    Saint-Gingolph
  • Difference in height
    770 m
  • Access to the quays car park.
  • Plain text period
    From 01/04 to 01/11.
    Accessible outside the snowy period and depending on the weather conditions. Please check with the Tourist Office beforehand to find out the current access conditions. Recommended season: spring - summer - autumn.
  • Environment
    • Lakeside or by stretch of water
    • Forest location
    • Lake view
    • Mountain view
    • Mountain location
    • Station district
    • Close to a public transportation
    • Village centre
    • Close to GR footpath
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
  • Activities
    • Minimum age (in years) :  10
770 meters of difference in height
  • Maximum altitude : 1116 m
  • Minimum altitude : 376 m
  • Total positive elevation : 770 m
  • Total negative elevation : -764 m
  • Max positive elevation : 573 m
  • Min positive elevation : -710 m
Services
  • Equipment
    • Picnic area
    • Car park
    • Parking nearby
  • Services
    • Pets welcome
      • Pets allowed on a lead only.
    • Accommodation
    • Restaurant