Geneva City Walks - La Gavotte Farm loop
Miya not so impressed with being dragged around
This is a walk I would occasionally do before I even realised that La Gavotte farm was a great place to bring the kids!
This morning I took both the kids and Luka and went for a walk before visiting the farm.
It’s almost entirely on gravel, along a path that is flat and pram-friendly, running alongside a reclaimed river. There’s a surprising amount of flowers being grown all along the river, it’s a great walk in the city to make you feel closer to nature!
Total Walking Time: 1 hour. You can make it longer by walking along the river further.
For the full route click here.
The starting point is the parking on Chemin du Verjus by the farm if not too busy. Otherwise you can also park in the football stadium car park just around the corner on Chemin du Pont-du-Centenaire. In both cases, be sure to display your blue macaron. It is also accessible by public transport on buses 22 or 42, bus stop Plan-les-Ouates, Les Bruyères.
From the farm, you walk alongside the farm, on a narrow gravel path between the farm and the road, Chemin du Pont-du-Centenaire for about 150 metres. After you cross a small turquoise bridge, take a left and walk along the river. Before the second bridge, you have the option to walk through the woods (picture above) along a narrow hiking path. This path follows the river and brings you back out onto the main walking path.
You will soon then cross a road, so beware of your kids and dogs here, as cars do come along here at some speed at times.
According to the Lancy website, dogs are allowed off the lead in the countryside as long as they are under the visual supervision and under complete verbal control of the owner. I made Luka heel every time we passed another dog and made sure he stopped when cyclists or runners were passing us so as to not cause accidents. There are quite some number of cyclists who use this path so be vigilant with your kids and dogs!
Under the motorway to get along this little piece of paradise!
Following the gravel path, you will pass under the motorway after which you will see the start of reclaimed river and flora. If you are with a pram, you will have to take a left or right and go the long way around the slopes to get around and up.
Over the last few years that I have been coming here, they’ve done such a great job of growing a huge variety of flora. The river doesn’t look as clean as what you might be used to with the Rhone, but thankfully for Luka there were some potable water fountains where he could get a drink.
You walk back the same way you came, although if you want to do a shortcut to La Gavotte farm, you can do so by coming back under the tunnel, then taking a right at the road you crossed on the way out and Chemin de Verjus where the farm is located is your first left.
Kai had a great time walking part of the route, racing Luka then of course petting all the animals once in the farm.
Combining this walk with a visit to the farm gives something for everyone, a highly recommended activity to spend half a day when the weather is good. If you come on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, your child could even enjoy a pony ride at the farm in the afternoon!
Fun factor for child: 3/5 - A nice flat walk along the river and through the woods.
Fun factor for dog: 5/5 - Run, swim and sniff!
Pram-friendly: Yes
Water Access for dogs: Yes, you can take the wooded path which runs along the river which leads to a few beaches
Potable water: Yes, at the picnic area where the path crosses a road, and at the top of the big bridge where the reclaimed river starts just after the tunnel going under the motorway.
Baby changing facilities: No
Other Notes: This path is heavily used by cyclists, so please be vigilant and keep your children and dogs under control so as to not cause accidents.
There is one crossing of a vehicular road, so be very careful when crossing.
There are a couple of bridges on this route. They are not high, but the gaps between the wooden planks are fairly big.
Please review the Disclaimer before attempting any walk or activity mentioned on this website.
