Bonnevaux: Hiking and Heritage

Bonnevaux lies on the slopes of the Col du Corbier, at the crossroads of the two major Chablais valleys, the Vallée d’Aulps and the Vallée d’Abondance. Forests, pastures and mountain peaks surround the village. The landscape sets the scene for a trip focused on outdoor activities, local history or mountain farming. If you are looking for a hotel in Bonnevaux, this distinction can help you decide which experiences you want to make the focus of your stay: the Circuit du Mont Ouzon – Gemet, the village’s cultural heritage or sheep’s milk farming.

Hiking at Mont Ouzon

The Circuit du Mont Ouzon – Gemet starts in the village of Bonnevaux; its trailhead is the car park by the town hall. The hike offers a sweeping panorama of the Chablais Massif. It can be hiked daily from 1 June to 15 October, provided snow and weather conditions are favourable. Check the current access conditions in advance with the tourist office. When planning your dates, take both the season and the stated snow and weather conditions into account.

Cultural heritage and local history

The Bonnevaux hydroelectric power station is one of three power stations built in stages along the Dranses; it was commissioned in 1909. Recognised as part of the cultural heritage, it is also known as the usine du Pont de l’Eau Noire. Tours of the site are occasionally organised under the title « Envoyez les watts! ». Check the dates in advance if you would like to include a tour in your trip. Another point of cultural and historical interest is the Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs in Plan de la Joux in Bonnevaux. It was built in 1834 by Father Girod of Bonnevaux. These are two distinct stories: that of a hydroelectric power station within a system of three facilities, and that of a chapel with a named builder and year of construction.

Sheep’s milk farming in the area

The Alpage du Muret produces sheep’s cheese and sells it on site. During the activity « Visite à la bergerie et traite des brebis », visitors can watch sheep being milked and learn about mountain dairy farming. These are different ways of engaging with the same agricultural theme: at the Alpage du Muret, the focus is on cheese production and sales, while the activity centres on milking and dairy farming. Check the activity’s current availability before your visit. This will help you decide whether you are more interested in a regional product or in observing and learning about the work involved.

Compare schedules

When planning, it is important to note the differences between the activities: the Circuit has a defined season and depends on snow and weather conditions. Tours of the power station are occasional, and you should check the current availability of the sheep-related activity. This means the hike and the two activities cannot be planned according to the same schedule. Check the relevant conditions if your travel dates depend on them.

Discover more destinations: Faverges, Saint-Julien-En-Genevois, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, L'etale, Cuvat, Giez, Andilly, Samoens

For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Savoie.