Free
Dronières Lake
Cruseilles
Lake, 2 km loop, animal park, tree-top adventure, fishing, seasonal pool. Free year-round access at Cruseilles, Haute-Savoie. No swimming in the lake.
Free · Open access
Balcon du Léman Trail
Sentier de crête sur le Salève sud entre La Croisette et Cruseilles - 15 km balisage rouge-blanc, panorama Léman/Jura/Mont-Blanc.
At a glance
Type
Waymarked GR ridge trail
Access
Free access · Free
Price
Free all year round
Duration
4-5 h
Best season
April-November
Parking
Free at the start
Animals
Allowed on a leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
NO (ridge trail)
Town
Cruseilles
What is Balcon du Léman Trail
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman follows the crest of the southern Salève - the iconic mountain of the Greater Geneva area - between La Croisette (Annemasse side) and Cruseilles. Over 15 km of red-and-white GR waymarking, the path runs between 900 and 1,380 m altitude and offers a 360-degree panorama over Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Mont Blanc range.
The trail is one of the few in Haute-Savoie to take in four horizons at once: Lake Geneva and the Vaud Alps to the north, Mont Blanc and the Aravis to the east, the Jura and the Pays de Gex to the west, and the Rhône valley with the Bugey Prealps to the south. The northern terminus links into the Salève cable car for easy connections from the Geneva side.
Free access all year, no ticketing. Difficulty: moderate to difficult. Length: ~15 km Croisette-Cruseilles, 4-5 h walking time. Best season: April to November. Not suitable for reduced-mobility visitors (ridge trail). Free parking at the trailhead; refuge nights along the way priced 50-90 EUR half-board.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Start: Cruseilles (74350) · ~15 km Croisette-Cruseilles View on map
Coordinates
46.0333° N · 6.1167° E
Altitude
900 m to 1,380 m (south Salève ridge)
Opening hours
FREE ACCESS 24/7, all year round, on the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Recommended season: April-November. Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE ENTRY on the Sentier du Balcon du Léman for everyone, all year round. No ticketing. Refuges and accommodation are paid if used as a stopover (€50-90/night half-board depending on refuge). Verified on 24 May 2026.
Booking
No booking needed for the trail itself on the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Booking refuges/accommodation is recommended from January-April for the summer season, depending on refuge. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the start of the Sentier du Balcon du Léman in Cruseilles. Capacity varies by season. Additional parking in the village if summer capacity is reached.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a leash on the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Take care in protected areas (nature reserves) and on technical sections.
Accessibility
Reduced mobility access: NO (ridge trail) for the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Check conditions on site. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Time needed
4-5 h for the Sentier du Balcon du Léman depending on fitness. Length ~15 km, Croisette-Cruseilles. Shorter variants possible depending on route.
Contact
Local tourist office + Haute-Savoie departmental council, hautesavoie.fr. FFRandonnée Haute-Savoie for GR routes. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
Cruseilles (74350) is accessible by car from Annecy/Geneva/Sallanches depending on where you're coming from. Free parking at the start of the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Follow local signage.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Public transport depending on seasonal route to Cruseilles. Léman Express + Région Haute-Savoie coaches + Mont-Blanc Express depending on area. Check seasonal timetables.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycling is recommended on greenways where the route is a greenway. For walking trails, cycling is not recommended on the Sentier du Balcon du Léman.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Chef-lieu · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · 272 · 795 m
- Chef-lieu · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · 272 · 847 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman is best walked mainly during the April-November season. Off-season: conditions vary depending on altitude. UNIQUE 360° PANORAMA: Léman to the north, Mont-Blanc to the east, the Jura to the west, the Rhône valley to the south. ION DU (Pierres Plantées Cruseilles does not exist). Route type: waymarked GR ridge trail, ~15 km Croisette-Cruseilles, moderate to difficult.
Events : Local events depending on the commune of Cruseilles. Follow the local tourist office and hautesavoie.fr for the calendar of events linked to the Sentier du Balcon du Léman.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is access to the Sentier du Balcon du Léman paid?
No. Access to the Sentier du Balcon du Léman is free all year round for everyone. No ticketing, no toll. Route open at all times, subject to season and weather conditions.
How long is the Sentier du Balcon du Léman?
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman is about 15 km, Croisette-Cruseilles. Average duration 4-5 h depending on fitness. Moderate to difficult. Route type: waymarked GR ridge trail.
What are the opening hours of the Sentier du Balcon du Léman?
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman is freely accessible 24/7 all year round. Recommended season April-November. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
How difficult is the Sentier du Balcon du Léman?
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman has a moderate to difficult rating. Length ~15 km, Croisette-Cruseilles. Duration 4-5 h. Altitude 900 m to 1,380 m (south Salève ridge). Suited to hikers depending on fitness.
Is the Sentier du Balcon du Léman accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Reduced mobility access: NO (ridge trail) for the Sentier du Balcon du Léman. Check conditions on site. For an accessible alternative, see the Voie verte du Lac d'Annecy or Sentier des Roselières Saint-Jorioz if this one is not accessible.
When can you do the Sentier du Balcon du Léman?
Recommended season for the Sentier du Balcon du Léman: April-November. Off-season conditions vary depending on altitude and snow cover. Check conditions with the local tourist office before setting out.
How do you get to the Sentier du Balcon du Léman?
The Sentier du Balcon du Léman starts from Cruseilles (74350). A car is recommended to reach the start. Free parking at the starting points. Public transport depending on route and season.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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