Vailly: Chapelle d’Hermone, Forêt ivre and Hiking Trails

Vailly offers specific trails, cultural destinations and activities to help you plan your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Vailly, your preferred activity may help you decide: Would you like to plan a hike with a stated route length, are you interested in the Chapelle d’Hermone, or are you planning a seasonal snowshoe hike? There is also a fishing section on the Brevon and a cani-hike in Vailly. The destinations differ in terms of trail profile, theme and the conditions to be observed.

Hiking trails and a chapel destination

The easy Les Chalets de Pertuis hike starts in Vailly; the stated round-trip distance is 4.0 km. The route passes through the Buchille mountain pastures, with mountain panoramas along the entire walk. Another easy route to the Chapelle d’Hermone starts at Col du Feu. The two routes therefore differ from the outset: Les Chalets de Pertuis starts in Vailly and has a stated round-trip profile, while the start at Col du Feu is a specific reference point for the chapel route. If you want to take a stated distance into account when planning your day, you can use this information for Les Chalets de Pertuis.

A hike along a Stations of the Cross route also leads to the Chapelle d’Hermone at Notre Dame d’Hermone. The Chapelle d’Hermone is at an altitude of 1,327 m and on the GR Balcon du Léman. It was built in 1489 by 52 heads of families from Vailly. The Stations of the Cross, elevation and named GR trail provide different points of reference for planning, alongside the historical context of its construction. This hiking destination can therefore be considered both in terms of its route and its religious and historical significance.

Snowshoe trails and scenery

During the snowshoeing season, one route leads to the Chapelle Notre Dame d’Hermone and offers views of Lake Geneva along the way. A variant follows the Hermone ridge to Montagne aux Soeurs and follows the red-and-white GR trail markings. While the view of Lake Geneva provides a scenic reference point, the ridge, Montagne aux Soeurs and trail markings provide the variant’s specific points of reference. As these are seasonal activities, check snow and access conditions before your trip.

The Forêt ivre also combines a connection with nature with a special distinction: it is one of the 20 outstanding sites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Chablais. The Forêt ivre nature trail runs along the Brevon and through its protected forest. The Geopark context, the Brevon and the protected forest are therefore distinct focal points for your trip planning, alongside the hiking destinations around the Chapelle d’Hermone. The educational interpretation of the trail may change over time.

Other activities and seasonal topics

The Brevon in Vailly has a 2.5 km-long fishing section. Only toc fishing and fly-fishing are allowed there. Check the fishing regulations and seasonal access before fishing, as rules and access conditions may change.

On a cani-hike, participants walk with a dog on an elastic leash and learn to direct its pulling force. The activity is offered at the Parc Nordique by Traîneaux Passion in Vailly. Participation requirements and activity formats may change, so check the current arrangements if you plan to include this activity in your itinerary.

Another cultural attraction is Saint Georges Church in Vailly, one of the Sardinian neoclassical churches. A description from January 2025 records a seasonal practice in the Buchille mountain pastures: From June to September, mountain farmers settle there to milk the animals twice a day. If this aspect is important to your plans, check the current conditions locally.

Discover more destinations: Épagny, Machilly, Le Biot, Villy-Le-Pelloux, Bloye, Vacheresse, Talloires, Éloise

Go to the main travel overview: Haute-Savoie.