What is there to do at the Salève?

At the Salève, you can enjoy a nature experience that is both relaxing and active. This leisure destination is popular for its wide range of activities: hiking along marked trails, peaceful walks taking in the scenery, family outings, a cultural visit to the Maison du Salève, or a stop at the summit to admire Geneva, Lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc massif. The more adventurous will also find plenty to do, whether it’s rock climbing – in a place considered the birthplace of the sport – or paragliding, thanks to the Salève’s renowned paragliding spots. Here, everyone sets their own pace. You can come to walk, climb, take to the skies, breathe in the fresh air or simply enjoy a moment suspended between the mountains and the city.

How do you get to the top of the Salève?

There are several ways to get up to the Salève, depending on what takes your fancy. From Étrembières, the Salève cable car remains the easiest and most spectacular option: in just a few minutes, you’ll reach the summit and be treated to an immediate view of Geneva and Lake Geneva. You can also drive up the road, particularly via Monnetier-Mornex, or opt for a more challenging route via the hiking trails. Some routes allow you to reach the summit step by step, on foot, with beautiful viewpoints along the way. From Geneva, the summit can also be reached by public transport via bus routes to the cable car station. For thrill-seekers, the via ferrata and steep trails offer another way to explore the mountain range, provided you are properly equipped.

How high is the Salève?

The summit of the Salève, known as the Grand Piton, rises to an altitude of 1,379 metres. It is the highest point in the massif and one of the finest vantage points from which to view Haute-Savoie, Geneva, Lake Geneva, the Jura and, on a clear day, the Mont Blanc range. The cable car’s lower station is situated at around 1,100 metres above sea level, which is already enough to experience that very special change of perspective. In just a few minutes, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind to reach a natural balcony overlooking the Alps and the Geneva basin. This difference in altitude is what makes the place so magical: the Salève remains accessible, yet immediately gives the impression of being far away, higher up, somewhere else entirely.

Is the weather nice on the Salève?

The weather on the Salève can change quickly, as is often the case in the mountains. Before setting off, it is advisable to check the forecast , the webcam and the cable car’s practical information. In winter, the Salève sometimes offers a lovely surprise: it can find itself above the Geneva fog. Whilst the city remains shrouded in a sea of clouds, the summit enjoys a brighter sky, with unobstructed views of the surrounding hills. This phenomenon lends the panorama an almost magical atmosphere, especially at the end of the day. To choose the right time, check the weather forecast, check the wind conditions if you’re planning an activity such as paragliding, and always bear in mind that there may be more sunshine up there than down in the valley. The cable car’s official website features a weather section and a webcam to help you plan your visit.

How much does a cable car ticket cost?

For the Salève cable car, the 2026 fares listed on the official website are valid from 17 January to 1 November 2026. An adult return ticket costs €18 , a concessionary return ticket €13 , a child’s return ticket €6.50 and a family pass €49. The Golden Hour ticket, available after 6.30 pm on certain evenings, costs €15. Return tickets must be used on the same day for both journeys. Concessionary fares apply to young people, students, senior citizens, SwissPass or Oùra season ticket holders, jobseekers and people with disabilities, upon presentation of valid proof. To plan your visit, view group offers, buy a ticket or check the latest information, the easiest way is to use the cable car’s official ticket office.

Is the Salève in Switzerland or France?

The Salève is a French mountain situated in Haute-Savoie, France. It forms part of the Jura Mountains, although it is closely linked to Geneva through its history, its uses and its landscape. Its location on the border explains its nickname, the ‘mountain of the Genevans’ or the ‘balcony of Geneva’. It is visible from almost everywhere in the Swiss city. From its summit, Geneva lies spread out before you, with Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps as a backdrop. This dual identity is part of its charm: geographically French, the Salève is also a place of respite shared by the inhabitants of the canton of Geneva, passing visitors and nature lovers from the Haute-Savoie region. It is a bridge between two regions, a nearby mountain that is easy to reach yet always offers a change of scenery.

Salève: activities, cable car and views of Geneva | Monts du Genevois

The Balcony of Geneva

Rising to a height of 1,379 metres, the Salève attracts large numbers of tourists every year, in both summer and winter, who come to admire the panoramic view from the summit of what is commonly known as the ‘Balcony of Geneva ’.

This iconic mountain in the Geneva region also attracts curious visitors and photographers keen to capture the beauty of the landscape – and rightly so!

The Salève does indeed offer a breathtaking view of the city of Geneva and its surroundings, and it is always a pleasure to watch the sunrise or sunset from its summit.

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Disposal Mdg Web Rs 20
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Pauline Coupez - @Worldelse

©
Disposal Mdg Web Rs 10
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Pauline Coupez - @Worldelse

The iconic attraction

Salève Cable Car

The Salève cable car welcomes you with new facilities and a new range of services. Discover the most beautiful view around Lake Geneva – an extraordinary panorama of the Geneva countryside, the city of Geneva and Lake Geneva.

A breath of fresh air

As well as the views it offers, the Salève is much loved by nature lovers looking to escape the polluted air of the big cities.

This modest mountain offers outdoor enthusiasts the chance to enjoy a wide range of activities.

With over 250 km of marked trails, keen walkers will find plenty to enjoy on the many hiking routes available on the Salève. Guided donkey treks are also on offer for those wishing to go for a walk with the family without having to worry about their children getting tired.

In winter, the Salève takes on a new look, offering walkers access to numerous snowshoe walks and other winter sports.

A real playground

Aside from hiking, the Salève offers a wealth of activities for sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
In fact, it was on the rocky faces of this mountain that rock climbing originated, making it an ideal spot for climbers of all levels.

The Salève is also a very famous spot for paragliding, so it’s no surprise to find a wide range of paragliding activities on offer, from tandem flights to advanced paragliding courses.

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Parapente dans le Salève
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Salève Airlines

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do at the Salève?
At the Salève, you can enjoy a nature experience that is both relaxing and active. This leisure destination is popular for its wide range of activities: hiking along marked trails, peaceful walks taking in the scenery, family outings, a cultural visit to the Maison du Salève, or a stop at the summit to admire Geneva, Lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc massif.
The more adventurous will also find plenty to do, whether it’s rock climbing – in a place considered the birthplace of the sport – or paragliding, thanks to the Salève’s renowned paragliding spots.
Here, everyone sets their own pace. You can come to walk, climb, take to the skies, breathe in the fresh air or simply enjoy a moment suspended between the mountains and the city.
How do you get to the top of the Salève?
There are several ways to get up to the Salève, depending on what takes your fancy.
How high is the Salève?
The summit of the Salève, known as the Grand Piton, rises to an altitude of 1,379 metres. It is the highest point in the massif and one of the finest vantage points from which to view Haute-Savoie, Geneva, Lake Geneva, the Jura and, on a clear day, the Mont Blanc range.
The cable car’s lower station is situated at around 1,100 metres above sea level, which is already enough to experience that very special change of perspective.
In just a few minutes, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind to reach a natural balcony overlooking the Alps and the Geneva basin. This difference in altitude is what makes the place so magical: the Salève remains accessible, yet immediately gives the impression of being far away, higher up, somewhere else entirely.
Is the weather nice on the Salève?
The weather on the Salève can change quickly, as is often the case in the mountains. Before setting off, it is advisable to check the forecast, the webcam and the cable car’s practical information.
In winter, the Salève sometimes offers a lovely surprise: it can find itself above the Geneva fog. Whilst the city remains shrouded in a sea of clouds, the summit enjoys a brighter sky, with unobstructed views of the surrounding hills. This phenomenon lends the panorama an almost magical atmosphere, especially at the end of the day.
To choose the right time, check the weather forecast, check the wind conditions if you’re planning an activity such as paragliding, and always bear in mind that there may be more sunshine up there than down in the valley. The cable car’s official website features a weather section and a webcam to help you plan your visit.
How much does a cable car ticket cost?
For the Salève cable car, the 2026 fares listed on the official website are valid from 17 January to 1 November 2026.
An adult return ticket costs €18, aconcessionary return ticket€13, achild’s returnticket €6.50 and a family pass€49. The Golden Hour ticket, available after 6.30 pm on certain evenings, costs €15.
Return tickets must be used on the same day for both journeys. Concessionary fares apply to young people, students, senior citizens, SwissPass or Oùra season ticket holders, jobseekers and people with disabilities, upon presentation of valid proof. To plan your visit, view group offers, buy a ticket or check the latest information, the easiest way is to use the cable car’s official ticket office.
Is the Salève in Switzerland or France?
The Salève is a French mountain situated in Haute-Savoie, France. It forms part of the Jura Mountains, although it is closely linked to Geneva through its history, its uses and its landscape.
Its location on the border explains its nickname, the ‘mountain of the Genevans’ or the ‘balcony of Geneva’. It is visible from almost everywhere in the Swiss city.
From its summit, Geneva lies spread out before you, with Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps as a backdrop. This dual identity is part of its charm: geographically French, the Salève is also a place of respite shared by the inhabitants of the canton of Geneva, passing visitors and nature lovers from the Haute-Savoie region.
It is a bridge between two regions, a nearby mountain that is easy to reach yet always offers a change of scenery.

Salève

The Balcony of Geneva

The iconic attraction

A breath of fresh air

A real playground

Frequently asked questions

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