Hike Chavanne-Versoix

On its short journey from France to Lake Geneva, the Versoix river crosses paradise-beautiful floodplain forests. The route follows the watercourse, at times quite closely, but mostly at a reasonable distance.

"Welcome to France!" announces the mandatory roaming sms from neighboring mobile network operators, although one is clearly still in Switzerland. However, the hilly chain at Chavannes-de-Bogis works as a shield against Swiss mobile networks. The name of Versoix - the river that flows around here and past the eponymous village into Lake Geneva, originates in Old French and supposedly means “slip angles”.
With a length of 27 km, the Versoix appears as a rather modest influx of the Rhône. But because its source at the foot of the French Juras drains from large karst areas, the river brings a surprising amount of water, even at the peak of summer. This is especially true when the snow melts in spring. The river swells to an impressive extent, but preserves the lively character of a mountain stream, and shoots with an almost overwhelming force and speed between the trees of the woodlands that line its course.
Because of its relatively constant water flow even in drought, Versoix was already in Roman times tapped with an aqueduct to supply the Nyon region. From the Middle Ages onwards, it drove mills and served for irrigation. In spite of such uses, its river bed is still largely natural. The banks are installed just below the source area in the French divonne (near the Swiss border), as well as at its mouth in Lake Geneva.
The hike along the watercourse starts at the border crossing Chavanne-de-Bogis. From the bus stop take a few steps back and then branch off on a gravel road. On this first section you hardly see anything from the Versoix, as the hiking route leads several hundred meters from it through open terrain.
This changes in Chavanne-des-Bois. Now you can walk along the water through the natural reservation Combes Chapuis. With winding roots, trees are close to the river; in some places, small trees spring surrounded by islands. Some paths that cross the protected area must not be entered. The yellow signaled hiking trail runs partly off the shore. On narrow stretches, however, paths also lead directly along the water. As long as the Versoix does not carry any floods, they can be used without hesitation. Slightly higher is the “tumulus” (prehistoric tomb) of Mariamont.
In the area of La Bâtie, the route is situated on a stretch of more than one kilometer away from the river. Afterwards you can return to the waterfront. Shortly after the intersection with the motorway, however, you will definitely end in the cool floodplain forest. Climb up to the settlement area of Versoix and you will shortly reach the railway station of the town.