More than 5,200 kilometers of hiking trails are listed in Haute-Savoie in the PDIPR, providing a concrete framework for anyone wishing to explore the department on foot. The PDIPR routes are marked and secured, and cater to hikers of all ages and abilities. Cycling is also part of the picture: the department offers 850 kilometers of cycle paths and safe cycling routes for everyday travel and leisure.

Among hiking trails, lakes and protected areas

There are nearly 100 lakes in Haute-Savoie, including Lake Annecy and Lake Geneva; the Rhône also shapes the region’s waterscape. The lakes can be explored on walking paths throughout the year. Visitor facilities in the lakeside areas include beaches, waterfront promenades, water sports centers, fishing access points and harbors. A departmental plan covers safer access to the lakes and improved accessibility for people with reduced mobility. Available facilities may vary from place to place.

Protected landscapes also give the region its distinctive character: almost a quarter of its area is protected. The national nature reserves cover more than 20,000 hectares—the largest area of its kind in mainland France. For a closer look at nature and the lakeshore, visit Rovorée–La Châtaignière: the site has 1.2 kilometers of lakeshore and can be explored independently using information panels. The recorded species include 350 plant species, 87 bird species, 29 butterfly species and 13 bat species; these figures may change. The site is accessible by car, and the Greenway from Yvoire leads there on foot or by bicycle.

Geology and nature in Chablais

Chablais in Haute-Savoie is a UNESCO Global Geopark between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Its geological interpretation focuses on the formation of the Alps and Quaternary glaciations. Public excursions and guided tours introduce visitors to the geopark’s values and heritage; availability may vary. If you are planning a tour, check the dates. Biodiversity hotspots in Chablais include Chilly Marsh and the Vouas de Lyaud. Local products are also part of the geopark’s thematic scope: initiatives promote the visibility of AOP cheeses, AOC wines and handcrafted products.

A cheese with a clear origin

Reblochon, also known as Reblochon de Savoie, is an AOP raw-milk cheese made from whole cow’s milk and produced in Haute-Savoie. The milk is collected, the cheese is made and it is matured within the same designated area. Its origin therefore relates not just to the cheese’s name, but to the entire production chain. For travelers who want to include regional products in their explorations, it offers a tangible connection to the department’s agricultural identity.

History and art in special places

The Chartreuse de Mélan has more than 700 years of history. Visitors can see its church and cloister, as well as temporary exhibitions and an open-air sculpture park featuring contemporary art. The exhibition program and individual artworks may change. The Domaine de Découverte de la Vallée d’Aulps combines the ruins of an abbey church with an interpretation center and a contemporary art space. The grounds also include a shop, a tavern, a medicinal herb garden and a medieval kitchen garden. Opening arrangements may change; check them before planning a visit.

Another historical focus awaits at the Site de Morette, which is dedicated to commemorating the Resistance and the Second World War in Haute-Savoie. Visitor programming is seasonal. On the shores of Lake Geneva, Château de Ripaille was once a residence of the Dukes of Savoy. Yvoire, also on Lake Geneva, is among France’s Plus Beaux Villages de France. The Abbey of Abondance offers a visitor experience centered on Gothic mountain architecture and centuries of valley history; access conditions may vary. Together, these places offer different ways to explore history: through architecture, remembrance, art and the past of a landscape.

Discover more destinations: Abondance, Annemasse, Argentiere, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Chatel, Combloux, Cordon, Doussard, Duingt, Entremont, Évian-Les-Bains, Giez, L'etale, La Chapelle-D'abondance, La Clusaz, La Roche-Sur-Foron, Le Grand-Bornand, Le Praz De Lys, Les Carroz-D'arâches, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Les Gets, Les Houches, Les Praz-De-Chamonix, Megève, Montriond, Morillon, Morzine, Praz-Sur-Arly, Saint-Eusèbe, Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains, Saint-Jean-D'aulps, Samoens, Taninges, Thollon, Vers, Bonnevaux, Manigod, Saint-Jorioz, La Rivière-Enverse, Neydens, Gaillard, Moussy, Cluses, Annecy, Villy-Le-Pelloux, Ville-La-Grand, Veyrier-Du-Lac, Veigy-Foncenex, Thonon-Les-Bains, Talloires, Seynod, Sévrier, Scionzier, Sallanches, Saint-Cergues, Plateau Dʼassy, Metz-Tessy, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Faverges, Cruseilles, Cran-Gévrier, Archamps, Annecy-Le-Vieux, Ambilly, Argonay, Brens, Le Reposoir, Mont-Saxonnex, Le Petit-Bornand-Les-Glières, Jonzier-Épagny, Saint-Paul-En-Chablais, Servoz, Rumilly, Bonne, Andilly, Aviernoz, Thônes, Saint-Eustache, Vallorcine, Les Esserts, Faucigny, Arâches-La-Frasse, Lugrin, Neuvecelle, Bellevaux, Verchaix, Bernex, Saint-Jean-De-Sixt, Mégevette, Essert-Romand, Sciez, Sales, Saint-Ferréol, Seythenex, Le Biot, Magland, La Forclaz, Saint-Blaise, Sixt-Fer-À-Cheval, Alby-Sur-Chéran, Meillerie, Saint-Martin-Bellevue, Pringy, Thorens-Glières, Yvoire, Lathuile, Reignier-Esery, Saint-Julien-En-Genevois, Champanges, Montagny-Les-Lanches, La Balme-De-Sillingy, Cernex, Chavanod, Leschaux, Passy, Bonneville, Évires, Lucinges, Vacheresse, Thyez, Méribel, Margencel, Mieussy, Lullin, Vétraz-Monthoux, Épagny, La Côte-D'arbroz, Marin, Villard, Vailly, Habère-Poche, Loisin, Alex, Chevenoz, Armoy, Vallières, La Chapelle-Rambaud, Ayse, Thénésol, Chanaz, Brizon, Tournon, Poisy, Viuz-En-Sallaz, La Baume, Publier, Étrembières, Seytroux, Saint-Jeoire, Onnion, Bogève, Montmin, Nancy-Sur-Cluses, Éloise, Seyssel, Viuz-La-Chiésaz, Saxel, Fillinges, Cuvat, Cons-Sainte-Colombe, Bossey, Machilly, Arthaz-Pont-Notre-Dame, Ville-En-Sallaz, Anthy-Sur-Léman, Saint-Félix, Burdignin, Draillant, Mûres, Douvaine, Messery, Saint-Pierre-En-Faucigny, Novel, Lyaud, Chessenaz, Bons-En-Chablais, Domancy, Dingy-Saint-Clair, Chens-sur-Léman, Maxilly-sur-Léman, Viry, Bloye, Collonges-sous-Salève, Nâves-Parmelan, Habère-Lullin, Marcellaz-Albanais, Larringes, Saint-André-de-Boëge, Cervens, Lovagny, Châtillon-sur-Cluses, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, La Vernaz, Cranves-Sales, Bluffy, Cusy, Entrevernes, La Tour, Les Villards-sur-Thônes, Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin, Nernier, Les Clefs, Reyvroz

For the regional travel overview: Rhône-Alpes.