What you can do also is buy a regional map and you'll find a lot of hiking possibilities. Do not hesitate to visit some specific website, hiking is a national sport here, wherever you are located...

That's what I did, and I go in the mountains at least one time per week, and when snow will come, you just have to switch from hiking shoes to ski boots... ;)
grasdubide, Oct 15, 2008 @ 15:23

For maps, check store like Cactus in Carouge http://www.cordee.ch/html/cactus.html, or http://www.passemontagne.ch/Geneve on Carl-Vogt. Fnac Rive also has a good collection of Swiss maps. You want to get the 'red' series for Randonnee (with red lines indicating the trails). There is a small booklet series (Guide Rother) which covers hikes around the Leman, or other parts of the Alps.

Hope this helps,

Patrick
Patrick, Oct 15, 2008 @ 15:41

Also, ask Kassari or Philip B and check out the hiking websites like  www.oxygene74.com  and  http://www.rando-saleve.net . Both are regional hiking clubs and go on regular hikes.
MarmarK, Oct 15, 2008 @ 17:20

You can also take a look at these following websites

http://www.myswitzerland.com/fr/hbFinder/hFinder.cfm (choose your language on the top right)

http://www.toprando.ch/

http://www.balades.ch/ (I love this one because you have a multi-criterial choice)

http://www.switzerland-hiking.ch/

As I said, buy a map (20 chf), find a start point close to your home and enjoy ! Another thing is to be aware of the signification of the different panels : yellow is for hiking, yellow with a red line means that it's more dangerous, blue is for climbing. The pink panels are for winter hiking in the snow...
grasdubide, Oct 15, 2008 @ 18:48

Good tips, marmarK and grasdubide!



Let me just add these sites for neighbouring Haute Savoie: http://www.randos-montblanc.com/, http://randos.en-savoie.fr/, http://www.haute-savoie.info/ and

http://www.balade3d.com/



Of course, you can go by yourself. but for most of us it is more fun to go with friends or with a hiking club. It certainly is more sure and secure in particular when you are new to the region.



cheers,



Bert

kassari, Oct 15, 2008 @ 19:03

Yep, especially from now to april, because weather will be by far less friendly within the next weeks...
grasdubide, Oct 15, 2008 @ 19:22

Thanks to everyone!



I had a lovely hike in the alps yesterday...I just wanted to stay up there forever! ;)
Lotrielle, Oct 19, 2008 @ 20:19