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Le Salève (Col des Pitons)

Highest road pass on the Le Salève massif (1,335 m), at the foot of Grand Piton. Popular with cyclists (6 climbing routes) and gateway to summit hiking trails.

View on map
Col des Pitons on the Le Salève massif, Haute-Savoie, with views of the Geneva basin and Lake Léman
Mont Blanc panorama · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA
At a glance
Type
Road pass and viewpoint
Access
Free · Complimentary
Duration
Variable depending on climbing route
Best season
May – October (road clear of snow)
Parking
Free (parking at the pass)
Town
Collonges-sous-Salève
Altitude
1,335 m

Official source →

What is Le Salève (Col des Pitons)

The Col des Pitons is the highest road pass on the Le Salève massif, located at 1,335 m elevation on the D41A, between Col de la Croisette (1,176 m) and Cruseilles. It sits at the foot of Grand Piton (1,379 m), the massif's highest point, crowned by the Bastian Tower. This historic tower, built between 1820 and 1830 by Claude-François Bastian, a notary and mayor of Frangy, stands on the site of a 14th-century lookout post. The pass is accessible by car, bike, and on foot, with dedicated parking on-site.

Le Salève, nicknamed the "balcony of Geneva," is a Pre-Alps mountain in Haute-Savoie but belongs geologically to the Jura chain. Col des Pitons is particularly popular with cyclists: six climbing routes are mapped, from easiest (Cruseilles, 7.5 km at 4.8% average gradient) to most challenging (Collonges-sous-Salève, 11.7 km at 7% average with sections exceeding 12%). For hikers, the pass serves as a starting point or waypoint toward Grand Piton, Thuile alpine pasture, or various trails on the GR Balcon du Léman. At the Grand Piton summit, an orientation table helps identify Alpine and Jura peaks, while an engraved cartouche recalls the passage of Lord Byron and Alphonse de Lamartine, author of a famous poem dedicated to Le Salève.

The road to the pass winds through forest for most of the route, then opens to panoramic views in the final kilometres: Mont-Blanc to the east, Geneva basin and Lake Léman to the north, Jura chain to the west. The Pitons sector features a limestone pavement plateau (karst formation) among Le Salève's finest. Each summer, the Haute-Savoie Departmental Council organizes "Haute-Savoie Au Sommet": the D41A closes to motorized vehicles certain Tuesday mornings (9am–12pm) and is reserved exclusively for cyclists. In 2026, Col des Pitons will host this event on July 7, allowing touring cyclists of all levels to climb the pass safely, without motorized traffic.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
D41A, Col des Pitons, 74160 Collonges-sous-Salève View on map
Coordinates
46.1432° N — 6.1514° E (estimated)
Altitude
1,335 m
Opening hours
Year-round subject to snow conditions. Road not snow-cleared in winter from Grotte du Diable (1.5 km before pass). Occasional closure on July 7, 2026 (9am-12pm) for cycling event Haute-Savoie Au Sommet.
Admission
Free
Parking
Free (dedicated parking at pass, limited spaces in peak season)
Pets
Allowed on leash
Accessibility
Accessible by car, bike, motorcycle. Not stroller-friendly (uneven terrain beyond parking). Hiking trails from pass: moderate elevation gain but karst terrain. Hiking shoes recommended.
Travel time
Variable by mode: 40 min–1h 20 min by bike from Cruseilles (depending on level), 1h–2h from Collonges, 20 min by car from Cruseilles, 15 min from La Croisette.
Paragliding / free flight take-off
Le Salève is a historic free flight site (hang gliding and paragliding); main take-off area on the Salève plateau (cable car), also accessible from the Pitons sector via ridge trails
Access

How to get there

By car

From Annemasse (~30 min), reach Collonges-sous-Salève then climb D41 via Col de la Croisette (switchback road, 7 km). From Cruseilles (~20 min), take D41A toward Col des Pitons (steady climb, 10 km). Free parking at pass (spaces limited weekends). Road closed in winter beyond Grotte du Diable.

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By bike

Popular cycling pass: 6 climbing routes mapped. South route (Cruseilles): 7.5 km / 4.8% average (easiest). West route (Collonges): 11.7 km / 7% average, 12%+ sections (hardest). Other routes: La Muraz, Annemasse, Mont Sion, Malbuisson. "Haute-Savoie Au Sommet" event on July 7, 2026: road closed to cars (9am–12pm) and reserved for cyclists.

Open in Maps

Nearest stops

  • Ensemble scolaire Saint Vincent · TAC · 4 · 371 m
  • Collonges Marché · TAC · 4 · 1018 m
  • Collonges Marché · TAC · 4 · 1060 m

Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)

Parking

Free (parking at the pass)

  • Free · 405 m · 63 spaces · Go →
  • Free · 429 m · 26 spaces · Go →
  • Free · 456 m · 23 spaces · Go →

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

When to visit

The ideal season for Col des Pitons runs May through October, when the road is fully snow-cleared and accessible by car and bike. In winter (November–March), the road closes roughly 1.5 km before the pass (from Grotte du Diable onward). Cyclists favor June through September for climbs, with peak traffic on sunny weekends. Hikers prefer spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October) to avoid heat and enjoy autumn colors. Note: On July 7, 2026, the road is closed to cars in the morning (9am-12pm) for "Haute-Savoie Au Sommet" (cyclists only). Check the Department website before traveling that day.
Events : Haute-Savoie Au Sommet: on July 7, 2026 (9am-12pm), the Haute-Savoie Departmental Council organizes a cycling morning when D41A closes to motorized vehicles and is reserved exclusively for cyclists. Free, no registration, open to all levels. Full schedule and dates at hautesavoie.fr.
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Photos

Gallery

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is access to Col des Pitons paid?

No. Access to Col des Pitons is free and complimentary year-round. Pass parking is also free (spaces limited in peak season; arrive early on weekends).

How do I cycle to Col des Pitons?

Col des Pitons can be climbed via 6 different routes. The easiest is the south route from Cruseilles (7.5 km, 4.8% average). The hardest is the west route from Collonges-sous-Salève (11.7 km, 7% average, sections exceeding 12%). Other possible starting points: La Muraz, Annemasse, Mont Sion, Malbuisson.

Is Col des Pitons open in winter?

No. The road to Col des Pitons closes in winter (November–March approximately) from Grotte du Diable, 1.5 km before the pass. The final section is not snow-cleared. Full access reopens May through October depending on weather.

What is the difference between Col des Pitons and Grand Piton?

Col des Pitons (1,335 m) is the highest road pass on Le Salève, accessible by car and bike. Grand Piton (1,379 m) is the massif's summit, accessible only on foot from the pass (45 min hike). Bastian Tower stands at Grand Piton.

Is there a viewpoint at Col des Pitons?

Yes. Col des Pitons offers panoramic views of Mont-Blanc to the east, the Geneva basin and Lake Léman to the north, and the Jura chain to the west. The most spectacular views are at Grand Piton (45 min hike from the pass), where an orientation table is installed.

Can I hike from Col des Pitons?

Yes. Col des Pitons is a starting point for several hikes: to Grand Piton (45 min one-way), to Thuile alpine pasture, or along the GR Balcon du Léman. Marked trails, moderate elevation gain but uneven karst terrain. Hiking shoes recommended.

What can I see at Grand Piton?

At Grand Piton (1,379 m), you'll find the Bastian Tower built between 1820 and 1830, an orientation table, a magnificent limestone pavement plateau (karst formation), and an engraved cartouche recalling the passage of Lord Byron and Alphonse de Lamartine. Exceptional panoramic view over Geneva, Lake Léman and the Alps.

When is the Haute-Savoie Au Sommet event at Col des Pitons?

In 2026, the Haute-Savoie Au Sommet event at Col des Pitons takes place on Tuesday, July 7 from 9am to 12pm. The D41A is closed to cars and reserved for cyclists. Free, no registration, open to all levels.

Where can I park to access the pass?

Free parking is available directly at Col des Pitons. Spaces are limited, especially on weekends in peak season (June-September). Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to find parking easily. Parking also available at La Croisette (2 km below).

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 14 mai 2026·Updated 14 mai 2026

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