The Best Walking Route Around Lake Geneva (Hint: Take the Ferries!)

Besides the chocolate and the Swiss watches, your favorite thing about Geneva is probably Lake Geneva. So get outside and enjoy it! Le Colibry shares one of her favorite lakeside routes, on foot and close to the water’s edge. There are lots of possible stopping places for a coffee, a snack, lunch, or even a swim in summertime.
And you’ll get a totally new perspective on the city when you hop on the ferries (mouettes)!

Preface: Mouette is the French word for seagull. But in Geneva, a mouette is a small yellow ferry boat that takes passengers back and forth across the lake from multiple departure points. Quite simply the world’s coolest form of public transportation!

Lake Geneva route, step by step:

Step 1: Hop on a ferry at the English Garden pier (across from Molard square, line M1) or the Eaux-Vives pier right next to the Jet d’Eau (line M2); it will take you across the lake to the Pâquis district.
Step 2: Walk toward the Botanical Gardens until you reach the restaurant Perle du Lac.
From there you can either get back on the ferry (step 3) or stop into the Botanical Gardens—there’s so much to see there!
Step 3: Get back on the ferry at Chateaubriand as you enter Mon Repos Park (line M4). You’ll be dropped off at Port Noir, at the far end of the Gustave Ador quay by Genève Plage (Geneva Beach).
Walk back toward the city center on the lakeside promenade.

This walk is ideal for every occasion, whether you’re craving a solitary stroll to take in the fresh air and the gorgeous view, a family outing with a stop at the Botanical Gardens on the way out (or at the beach Baby Plage on the way back), a catch-up session with a friend, or a speed-walk workout.
You can take this route as many times as you want, in any direction. The light changes so much through the seasons that it’ll never be the same twice!

Practical info:

• The ferry schedule can be found at www.mouettesgenevoises.ch
• TPG tickets are 2 Swiss francs per trip. You can buy them on your phone by texting “tpg2” to 788 — so practical.
• The Botanical Gardens include conservatories, greenhouses, exhibitions, a fabulous carousel, and a small restaurant—more than enough to keep adults and children entertained.
• Length of the walk: around 1 hour 30 minutes (without stopping at the Botanical Gardens)

Le Colibry’s Tip: Avoid this route when there’s a crowded event on the quay. For example, the marathon (in May), the Lake Parade (early June), or the Geneva Festival (August). A beautiful sunny day during the week or a weekend morning couldn’t be better.