Cusy brings together several themes to help you plan your trip: hikes with geological insights, a mountain bike circuit, wetland habitats and historic buildings. This lets you decide whether outdoor activities or architectural and local history will be the focus of your stay.
Hiking trails, geology and cycling
The Geotrail du Chéran is a 2-hour-and-20-minute loop hike starting from the passerelle de Cusy-Gruffy. Along the way, there are views of the Pont de l’Abîme. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out. Beneath the passerelle de Cusy, layers of molasse are visible in the bed of the Chéran. The Sentier du Chaos du Chéran can be reached from Cusy by following the signs to the “passerelle de Cusy” and a car park.
The Pont de l’Abîme connects Cusy with Gruffy. This metal suspension bridge is 64 metres long and stands 96 metres above the Chéran. If you are interested in the hike, you can pair the views of the bridge with these structural details, while keeping the time needed for the Geotrail in mind.
Another kind of route is the Circuit 7 – La Cuséenne mountain bike loop, which starts in Cusy. The route is 20 kilometres long, includes 556 metres of ascent and has a stated duration of three hours. It passes through forests, meadows and bocage landscapes, with views of the Albanais hills. Snow and weather conditions affect whether the route is open, so check conditions before setting off. For planning purposes, the two routes have different stated durations: 2 hours and 20 minutes for the loop hike and three hours for the mountain bike circuit. For Circuit 7, distance and ascent are also additional planning factors.
Buildings and the history of Cusy
The Château de Cusy was first mentioned in written records in 1262. After being looted and set on fire during the Revolution, the château was never rebuilt and was used as a quarry. The château and the fortified settlement of Cusy stood on an ancient Roman motte. These events place the history of the area in context, from its first recorded mention through its destruction and subsequent use as a quarry.
The Chapelle de Lachat was built in 1700 at the initiative of the residents of the hamlet of Lachat, with the support of Jean-Claude Morel, the parish priest of Cusy. The chapel is dedicated to Mary and is under the patronage of Notre Dame de Bon Rencontre and Saint-François de Sales. The parish church of Saint-Christophe also has its own building history: reconstruction work began around 1885. The bell tower was altered in 1925 and renovated in 1982.
The parish church of Saint-Christophe also houses the Piéta de Cusy, a polychrome walnut-wood high-relief sculpture. It was listed as a Monument historique in 1976 and restored in the early 21st century. The village of Cusy itself is laid out around a central church. The chapel, parish church, sculpture and château thus offer different ways to explore local history, rather than focusing on just one period.
Wetlands and nature watching
The Marais des Mièges offers a different perspective on Cusy. A total of 188 plant species are known in this wetland; 13 of them are rare or threatened and protected or listed on Red Lists. These figures may change as future surveys are carried out. Habitats include ponds, willow scrub, wet meadows and reed beds. They provide habitat for dragonflies, butterflies, amphibians, mammals and birds. The variety of habitats and animal groups mentioned makes the marsh a clear counterpoint to the hiking and cultural themes of trip planning.
Plan your stay
If you are looking for a hotel for your stay in Cusy, the different themes can help with your planning: the routes have specific duration information, while the buildings and the marsh appeal to other interests. First consider whether you would like to set aside more time for a hike, the mountain bike circuit, nature watching or local history.
Discover more destinations: Nâves-Parmelan, Les Carroz-D'arâches, Moussy, Saint-Blaise, Évian-Les-Bains, Arâches-La-Frasse, Magland, Ville-En-Sallaz
Return to the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
