CHANCY TO THE FARGOUT VALLEY LOOP

For more things to do, see and discover in the commune of Chancy, visit our dedicated commune guide.

Walk Overview:Distance: 7 km approx.Approximate walking time: 2-3 hours approx.Start: Bus stop 'Chancy, Douane'Finish: 'Chancy, Raclerets'

Begin your walk at the bus stop near the Pont de Chancy (Chancy Bridge), where you'll pick up a trail beside the bridge that follows the banks of the River Rhône. The path soon joins Route de Vers-Vaux, which you follow towards the river. At a small car park, look for the yellow hiking sign directing you right onto a woodland path that brings you even closer to the Rhône.

As you continue, the trail gradually leaves the riverbank and winds deeper into the forest. After a few minutes, you'll arrive at Border Marker No. 1, a modest stone that marks both the westernmost point of Switzerland and the beginning of the country's 6,638 border markers. It's a great place to pause before continuing towards the Escaliers des Douaniers (Customs Officers’ stairs) - follow the signs toward Les Plantons and Valleiry.

Soon you'll reach the stairs, part of the Le Rhône dépasse les bornes: sentier des douanes (The Rhône River goes too far: the customs path) educational trail. Along the route, information panels with QR codes reveal the fascinating history of this former customs path. These historic stone steps follow an old border crossing used by customs officers, merchants and travellers during the 17th and 18th centuries. They later served as an escape route for Huguenot refugees travelling to Geneva and, during the Second World War, for people crossing the border in search of safety. The staircase also descends the Rhône's ancient fluvio-glacial terraces, carved by the river over thousands of years.

The climb up the steps is steep. Once you reach the top, on Chemin de Fargout, turn left. A short distance ahead, an information panel marks the entrance to the Vallon de Longet, where a path leads you down into this peaceful, protected valley. Cross the Longet stream via the impressive Pont Suspendu, a striking wooden footbridge, before climbing out through the Bois des Crevasses.

After crossing Route de Valleiry, you'll enter another protected woodland - the Bois des Bouchets Nature Reserve. Follow the track before turning right into the forest. Part of this section runs alongside a shooting range, so don't be surprised if you hear gunfire during opening hours.

Continue by following the signs towards Chancy village. You'll cross the Laire River on a footbridge before the trail opens into fields with beautiful views across the countryside towards Chancy and the Jura Mountains. It's a fitting finale to a beautiful woodland walk at the westernmost point of the country.