Aka your regular “walks in nature” if you live around Geneva, Switzerland.
One: Le Môle
In France.
A perfectly green mountain (or perfectly white if you got winter in mind) between Geneva and the Mont Blanc mountain range offers a relatively easy hike but one that surely rewards you once on top. The 360-degree view from the summit goes from Lake Geneva and “the city by the lake” to Chamonix Valley including the one and only Mont Blanc. You’ll know it when you see it.
You can hike up all the way departing from one of the little cute (of course, you’re in France) villages around the roots of the mountain, say Bonneville. Or you can cheat by taking the car till the road allows you. The second option can save you up to a day of exhaustion but will also deprive you of a reasonable amount of fun. Just saying.
Extra points: be spontaneous and stay on the peak till the sun sets in a warm summer evening. Do have an exit plan, though. We didn’t, and this makes a story for another post. More extra points: if you’re going for a full day of adventure, add the little sibling, Le Petit Môle.
Two: Les Rochers-de-Naye
In Switzerland.
Are you looking for the most stunning view of Lake Geneva? Forget Mont Salève and other overly advertised spots around the lake. This is the one. I mean, look at the featured image. Taken by me, using a rather bad camera.
Grab a quick pain au chocolat in Montreux and get going. The view rewards you throughout your journey to the top, and the paths are just as challenging as they need to be to make the stop for tarte aux pommes at Buvette de Jaman worth it.
As it’s the case with most mountain tops in Switzerland, this one can also be reached by train – duh. But, again, why miss the fun? Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen if it’s a sunny summer day, and be prepared to experience congestion. Yes, almost too many hikers and trail runners including yourself.
The best for last: Chamonix Valley
In France. Although you can end up in Italy. Maybe you want to end up in Italy.
I’m talking just about any trail around Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. I admit I can’t be objective here, I literally love the place. Despite the relatively unattractive main village, also quite populous, the valley maintains its charm through the ages. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, you can easily spend a considerable amount of time here regardless of age and physical condition. My point is: get there and you’ll figure it out.
So many things you can do, so little time. You can go big with a week-long – or even longer – Tour du Mont Blanc. You can also do easy weekend or even day trips as the village is easily accessible and open throughout the year.
Same goes for the level of difficulty. Depending on your skills and mood, you can hike the ordinary way, you can also go for a dose of adrenaline starting from a Via Ferrata to whatever alpine activity pleases you. Make sure to know the rules and your limits.
Recommendation number one: camp out even if you’re not a fan. At least you’ll feel less mainstream. You can find a good number of camping locations all over the valley, which will give you immediate access to hiking paths plus your morning baguette if you place your order the day prior. After all, you’re in France.
Recommendation number two: Lac Blanc is ethereal. Drink its water, and if you have what it takes, have a swim. Nobody wants to see your pee-pee, though. Be nice, and no cannonballs, please. This place is sacred.
Recommendation number three: pay tribute to the history of this village and its mountains. It will certainly intrigue you. It goes way beyond “the highest mountain in Europe west of the Caucasus”. It’s really about humans and nature, ambition and great achievements, the history of modern mountaineering, and – well – climate change.
What are you waiting for?
Images are my own.
I walk fast. 