Paid
Centre Aquatique Intercommunal de Cluses
Cluses
Indoor aquatic centre in Cluses: 25 m pool, 15×15 m learning pool, paddling pool, tube slide. Adult €5, open 7 days a week.
Free · Open access
Arve Valley Cycle Route
The V61 Léman-Mont-Blanc cycle route as it crosses the Vallée de l'Arve: 40 km of greenway from Bonneville to Sallanches via Cluses, with a footbridge over the Arve.
At a glance
Type
Cycle route (V61) - mostly dedicated greenway
Access
Free · Open access
Price
Free year-round
Duration
2-3 h one-way by bike · half-day for a section
Best season
April-October · year-round
Parking
Free at Bonneville/Cluses/Sallanches SNCF stations
Animals
Leashed dogs allowed
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Wheelchair and stroller compatible (mostly)
Town
Bonneville à Sallanches (6 communes)
What is Arve Valley Cycle Route
The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve is the Haute-Savoie section of the V61 'Léman au Mont-Blanc' cycle route, running through the industrial Arve valley. 40 km of greenway from Bonneville to Sallanches via Cluses and Magland, mainly on a dedicated right-of-way (around 80% of the route), on smooth asphalt 3.00-3.50 m wide. The cumulative elevation gain is moderate (around 150 m over 40 km), with mostly flat sections and a gentle climb towards Mont Blanc.
The route was developed in two phases: the Bonneville-Cluses 16 km section opened in 2010, the first major segment; and the Cluses-Sallanches 16 km section opened in December 2019, including the emblematic Arve footbridge, which allows cyclists to cross the river safely. The route links several stations on the Léman Express and offers easy access to the southern slopes of the Mont Blanc range.
Free access all year. Difficulty: very easy. Distance: 40 km Bonneville-Sallanches, 3 h by bike. Best season: April to October. Fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, pushchairs, roller-skates and children's bikes. Free parking at the main access points.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Adresse
Départ recommandé Bonneville centre (gare SNCF) ou Cluses centre · Arrivée Sallanches gare SNCF · 40 km cumulés voie verte View on map
Coordonnées
46,0617° N · 6,5811° E (Cluses point central)
Altitude
456 m (Bonneville) à 570 m (Sallanches) · D+ cumulé ~150 m
Tarifs
ENTRÉE LIBRE ET GRATUITE à la Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve pour tous publics et tous usages, toute l'année. Pas de péage. Location vélos électriques 25-35 €/jour aux gares SNCF Cluses et Sallanches. Vérifié le 24 mai 2026.
Parking
Parkings gratuits aux gares SNCF de Bonneville, Cluses, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, Sallanches - tous accessibles directement depuis la Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve. Parkings communaux à Marnaz, Magland.
Animaux
Chiens acceptés tenus en laisse sur la Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve. Précautions aux carrefours et intersections routières.
Accessibilité
Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve majoritairement accessible PMR : ~80% en voies vertes site propre avec enrobé lisse. Dénivelé modéré (~150 m sur 40 km). Quelques sections routes partagées vélos roulants. Vérifié le 24 mai 2026.
Durée d'accès
Intégral Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve 40 km : 2-3 h vélo. Section Bonneville-Cluses 16 km : 1 h vélo. Section Cluses-Sallanches 16 km : 1 h vélo. Boucle Cluses-Thyez : 45 min vélo.
Contact
Conseil départemental Haute-Savoie +33 (0)4 50 33 50 00. Faucigny Glières Tourisme +33 (0)4 50 97 38 37. OT Sallanches +33 (0)4 50 58 04 25. Vérifié le 24 mai 2026.
Horaires
ACCÈS LIBRE 24h/24, 7j/7, toute l'année à la Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve. Voies vertes éclairées en zone urbaine Bonneville/Cluses/Sallanches. Passerelle sur l'Arve accessible à toute heure. Vérifié sur haute-savoie-tourisme.org et hautesavoie.fr le 24 mai 2026 — sous réserve de modifications saisonnières.
Réservation
Pas de réservation pour la Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve. Location vélos sur réservation conseillée en haute saison (juillet-août). Cartographie sur haute-savoie-tourisme.org. Vérifié le 24 mai 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
A40 exit Bonneville for a northern start, or A40 exit Cluses/Sallanches for a central start. Free parking at SNCF stations (all stages). From Annecy 30 min (40 km), from Geneva 35 min (45 km).
Open in MapsPublic transport
Léman Express (the Franco-Swiss regional rail service) serves Bonneville, Cluses, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, Marignier — all stations are immediately adjacent to the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve. Bikes carried free. Mont-Blanc Express at Sallanches.
Open in MapsBy bike
The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve is itself the main cycling axis. Connections: ViaRhôna EV17 at Sallanches and at Bonneville-Genevois, local Thyez loop, extension towards Chamonix underway 2025-2030.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Gare Routiere · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-CMG, Y81, Y92, Y93, Y94 · 99 m
- Cluses · SNCF (TER) · 131 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
- SNCF (TER) · 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 Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve can be ridden year-round with free, open access. Spring (April-June): ideal conditions — mild temperatures, lush scenery, spectacular views of snow-capped Mont-Blanc. Summer (July-August): high season, heavy traffic especially on the Cluses-Thyez loop (leisure base), best before 11am. Autumn (September-October): spectacular colours on the valley's deciduous trees, moderate traffic. Winter (November-March): open but frequent fog in the Arve valley, low temperatures (an industrial zone with little sun), best suited to seasoned cyclists. THE HAUTE-SAVOIE SECTION OF THE V61 'LÉMAN TO MONT-BLANC' CYCLE ROUTE — 40 km from Bonneville to Sallanches via Cluses. FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE ARVE OPENED DECEMBER 2019 (an emblematic structure between Cluses and Sallanches). 80% DEDICATED GREENWAY with smooth asphalt, flat to moderate gradient. CONTINUOUS VIEW OF THE MONT-BLANC MASSIF as the route climbs the valley — a scenic setting unique in French cycle touring. LINK TO VIARHÔNA EV17 at Sallanches (continuity towards Léman to the north) and at Bonneville-Genevois (underway 2025-2026). EXTENSION TOWARDS CHAMONIX-ARGENTIÈRE planned for 2025-2030 — a complete Geneva-Mont-Blanc cycling axis eventually. MOSTLY WHEELCHAIR AND STROLLER compatible.
Events : Events by Faucigny Glières Tourisme and Sallanches on the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve: spring family cycling rides, local cycling races, summer events at the Thyez leisure base. Calendars at ccfg.fr and sallanchesmontblanc.com.
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 Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve paid?
No. Access to the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve is free and open 24/7, year-round, for all users and all purposes. No toll. Paid electric bike rental €25-35/day at SNCF stations.
How long is the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve?
The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve runs 40 km from Bonneville to Sallanches via Cluses, the Haute-Savoie section of the V61 Léman to Mont-Blanc route. Sections: Bonneville-Cluses 16 km + Cluses-Sallanches 16 km + local loop.
When did the footbridge over the Arve on the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve open?
The footbridge over the Arve between Cluses and Sallanches on the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve opened in December 2019. An emblematic structure enabling safe crossing of the river by bike.
Is the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve accessible to wheelchairs?
Mostly. The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve is wheelchair-accessible on ~80% of the route (dedicated greenways, smooth asphalt, moderate elevation gain of ~150 m over 40 km). A few shared-road sections are not guaranteed accessible.
What are the stages of the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve?
The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve in 3 stages: Bonneville-Cluses 16 km (opened 2010), Cluses-Sallanches 16 km (opened December 2019), Cluses-Thyez loop (family-friendly). Total ~40 km combined.
How do I continue the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve towards Léman?
At Sallanches, the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve connects to the ViaRhôna EV17 EuroVelo route, the Léman-Mediterranean axis. At Bonneville, a link towards Genevois and Saint-Gingolph is being built (works 2025-2026).
What sites can I visit from the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve?
The Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve serves the Château des Sires de Faucigny in Bonneville, Château des Rubins in Sallanches, Cascade d'Arpenaz in Sallanches (270 m waterfall), and access to the Désert de Platé in Passy.
How do I get to the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve without a car?
Léman Express serves all SNCF stations along the Véloroute Vallée de l'Arve: Bonneville, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, Marignier, Cluses. Mont-Blanc Express at Sallanches. Bikes carried free on trains.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
Other places to explore in the area and in the same category
Paid
Paid
Watchmaking and Bar-Turning Museum
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Watchmaking and Bar-Turning Museum at Cluses: the world's largest collection of escapements. €5 adult, free under 12. Espace Carpano & Pons.
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Château de la Croix
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16th-century fortified manor listed MH 1994 at Scionzier (Faucigny): 17th-century wall paintings and 1840 panoramic wallpaper. Visible from the road, closed to the public.
Free
Arve Riverside Walk Cluses-Thyez
Cluses
5 km family loop along the Arve between Cluses and Thyez, leading to a leisure lake at the end - flat, wheelchair-accessible greenway in Haute-Savoie.
Free
Chablais Greenway (Abondance Valley)
Abondance
Former railway converted into a greenway in the Abondance Valley: ~22 km of gentle path, ideal for family cycling, walking and prams.
Free
Lake Annecy Greenway
Annecy
33 km dedicated greenway on the western shore from Annecy to Marlens, on a former railway line. Flat, asphalted, wheelchair-accessible. 1.5 M passages a year.