When you’re in Switzerland and suddenly find yourself craving a fresh French baguette on top of a French mountain… But, on a more serious note, there’s something you’ll quickly realize when you’re in Geneva: the towering mountains in this area aren’t actually in Switzerland. All the dramatic peaks you see by Lake Geneva are, in fact, located across the border in France. So, if we want to embark on a proper hike while based in Geneva, crossing into France is our best bet.
Though we initially had our sights set on a taller mountain, the rainy weather had other plans. With fingers crossed, hoping the weather would improve as we climbed higher, we set off to hike Le Petit Montrond – the “small round mountain.”
Location: Parking lot at the start of the trail
Cost: Free
Length: ~4km round trip
How to get there: By car
Driving Above the Clouds
It’s lightly drizzling on the way to Petit Montrond. To some, this might seem like a lost cause, but we remain hopeful.
We’ll be driving most of the way up the mountain, which, in this foggy and rainy weather, adds a nerve-wracking thrill. The visibility is poor, and it’s hard to see what’s ahead.
Then, for a brief moment, the fog lifts, revealing a beautiful panoramic view of the city. “If we can find a safe spot, let’s stop and enjoy the view, maybe snap a photo!” I think to myself.
But, of course, the fog has other plans. As we continue driving upward, everything gets enveloped in thick white mist again. When we finally find a place to pull over, the panoramic view is gone. Our hopes of seeing anything from the top of Petit Montrond are rapidly fading. Maybe this whole journey will be in vain.
Soon, we reach a point where we can’t drive any further and are forced to park the car.
There’s no sun, and a cold wind bites through. I realize I haven’t learned my lesson from past trips to the Tatras – I completely forgot how much colder it gets in the mountains. So, take it from me: dress warmly when hiking in the mountains!
But there’s a silver lining – at least it’s not raining anymore. We’ve driven above the rain clouds (something that can sometimes happen in the mountains). As we approach the viewing platform at the base of the Petit Montrond hiking trail, we catch sight of the trees, fields, and roads below. It’s not the sweeping victory we’d hoped for, but it’s definitely not a total loss.
Now, let’s enjoy the view from the platform and head back home, shall we? No, not yet. This is just the beginning. We’re about to climb even higher.
Before We Begin – A Bit About Petit Montrond Hike
Petit Montrond is actually a ski resort – you can tell by the closed cafes, vacant ski rental spots, and the dormant ski lifts that contribute to the eerie, ghost-town vibe during the off-season. With fog swirling around us, we’re among the few brave souls daring to hike Petit Montrond today.
It’s important to note that during the winter months, this mountain is exclusively for skiers. The Petit Montrond hiking trail only opens once the snow has melted. The round trip up and down the mountain takes about an hour, depending on your pace, and I’d say it’s a relatively easy hike. So, with that in mind, let’s get started and begin our Petit Montrond hike!
Get ready, Get set! Hiking Petit Montrond
Although the weather is far from perfect, it adds to the beauty of the Le Petit Montrond landscape, intensifying the colors and creating an atmosphere straight out of a vampire movie – dark, romantic, misty, and mysterious.
The trail is easy to navigate, meandering through winding paths and steps. It’s a far cry from Mont Saleve, where the dusty, slippery slopes had us clinging to railings to avoid sliding down.
In early May, to add a bit of fun to the Petit Montrond hike, you can turn it into a game – who can spot the last traces of snow? Pro tip: focus on the shaded areas, as the snow there tends to melt much more slowly.
Kāds skats paveras no Petit Montrond virsotnes?
Reaching the summit always feels like a small victory. And while the fog still lingers, the experience is rewarding in its own way. Usually, people climb Petit Montrond to get an incredible view of Mont Blanc, but today, it seems like the mountain is keeping that secret to itself.
It’s a little funny, but I can’t complain. The fact that we’ve avoided the rain is a win in itself. And even though the panoramic views of the misty trees and smaller mountains are obscured by fog, they are still beautiful in their own eerie way.
At the summit of Petit Mountround, there’s a sign marking the height at 1533 meters. There’s also a picnic table, and we take a moment to sit down and enjoy some tea and the freshly baked French baguette we brought with us. After all, what else would you eat at the top of a French mountain? They really do make amazing baguettes.
If the mountain scenery has stolen your heart and you’re not freezing to death, you can venture on to the next peak: Grand Montrond (the Big Round Mountain). After all, if there’s a small one, there must be a big one, right?
But, of course, as luck would have it, the rain catches up with us. So when the drizzle starts again, we make our way back down the Petit Mountrond hiking trail to reach our warm car.
Thoughts?
This hiking experience was different – it was so much easier than the usual exhausting 5–8-hour treks I’m used to. Don’t get me wrong – those long climbs are totally worth it, but I never imagined that such a short and easy hike could reward me with such beautiful views. So, my friends, if you’re new to mountain hiking, Petit Montrond is the perfect option for you.
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