Hint

Intro

The city of Genève is followed by surprisingly lovely countryside on the way to the Swiss border. The Compesières fortress, seat of an Order of the Knights of St John until the French Revolution in 1798, is now a museum on the Maltese Order.

Description

The Via Jacobi route's last stage starts at the Geneva railway station. After a few minutes, you cross the Rhone. Catch a glimpse of Geneva's landmark, the Jet d’Eau, with its 140-metre-high water fountain.

The route continues uphill through a narrow alley to St Peter's Cathedral, built in the 12th and 16th centuries. Its basement is home to the largest archaeological site north of the Alps, with treasures from the ancient world. The top of the tower offers 360-degree panoramic views. Passing the town hall, you reach the lively and cosy Place du Bourg-de-Four, the heart of the old town. The houses on this square were raised several storeys over time to accommodate Protestant refugees from all over Europe.

A few minutes later, you cross the Arve river, which rises in the upper Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley and flows into the Rhone one kilometre downstream. Cross the bridge to the city of Carouge, a trendy artists' district with many cafés, bars and restaurants. Designed in the 18th century by a Turin architect in the Piedmontese architectural style, it has retained its southern charm to this day.

Along Geneva's agglomeration, you enter the Bois de Milly nature reserve, which is home to a variety of amphibians, such as the great newt, and several bat populations. Continuing across wide fields with views of the Jura and Lake Geneva, you pass the Museum of the Order of Malta, the former castle of Compesières. At the L'Arande stream, you reach the border with France and the end of the two-and-a-half-hour stage.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Genève
Destination
Charrot (Grenze)
Direction
One way
Ascent
180 m
Descent
90 m
Distance
10 km
Duration
2 h 30 min
Duration back
2 h 25 min
Technical requirements
Easy
Physical requirements
Easy
Season
All year
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Route

ViaJacobi

Rorschach- / Konstanz (D) - Charrot (Grenze)
Learn more about # title #

All stages

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 20/33

Distance

10 km

Duration

2 h 30 min

Ascent

180 m

Travel information: Geneva

  • Geneva Geneva: Jet d'eau, boat cruise and city tour including aperitif

    Discover the secrets of the Jet d'eau in Geneva. First, stroll with a guide through Geneva, seeing... from CHF 99
    Offer details


    valid: 05.06.2026 - 28.05.2027

    Learn more about Geneva: Jet d'eau, boat cruise and city tour including aperitif
  • Geneva From Geneva airport: private transfer to Geneva

    Your private shuttle will pick you up at the airport in Geneva and drive you and your companions to... from CHF 100
    Offer details


    valid: 31.05.2026 - 31.12.2026

    Learn more about From Geneva airport: private transfer to Geneva
  • Geneva Private Sailing Trip into the Sunset from Geneva

    The guided sailing tour on Lake Geneva offers you a fresh perspective of the city and surrounding... from CHF 250
    Offer details


    valid: 03.06.2026 - 30.09.2026

    Learn more about Private Sailing Trip into the Sunset from Geneva
  • Geneva From Geneva: Bus tour to Chamonix Mont-Blanc with Mer de Glace

    From Geneva, you travel comfortably by coach to Chamonix and explore the charming mountain village.... from CHF 146
    Offer details


    valid: 31.05.2026 - 29.05.2027

    Learn more about From Geneva: Bus tour to Chamonix Mont-Blanc with Mer de Glace
  • Geneva From Geneva: Yvoire tour with boat trip

    Discover this self-guided tour of the medieval village of Yvoire, one of the most beautiful villages... from CHF 94
    Offer details


    valid: 01.07.2026 - 31.08.2026

    Learn more about From Geneva: Yvoire tour with boat trip
  • Geneva From Geneva airport: private transfer to Crans Montana

    Your chauffeur will take you in a comfortable private vehicle from Geneva airport to Crans Montana.... from CHF 480
    Offer details


    valid: 02.06.2026 - 30.05.2027

    Learn more about From Geneva airport: private transfer to Crans Montana
  • Geneva Geneva and Yvoire city tour

    You will take a city tour of Geneva by coach. Afterwards, the coach will take you to Yvoire in... from CHF 157
    Offer details


    valid: 01.07.2026 - 31.08.2026

    Learn more about Geneva and Yvoire city tour