Trail du Salève 2026

Trail du Salève is a June mountain-running event held on Mont Salève in Haute-Savoie, situated between Annecy and Geneva. Participants gather near the Maison du Salève at Mont Sion, Saint-Blaise, to choose from three trail distances: La Thuile, approximately 18 km with 650-670 m of elevation gain; Les Pitons, around 25 km with 840-900 m of gain; and La Croisette, about 38 km with 1,500 m of gain. The Rotary Club of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois organizes the event, with proceeds directed to a children’s charity. The series is relatively new, having had only a few editions, and is currently on hiatus as organizers assess its future. The courses traverse the slopes of the Salève, a Prealps mountain known as Geneva’s balcony for its position above the city and Lake Geneva. The longer routes offer a substantial mountain challenge without reaching ultra distances, particularly La Croisette, which concentrates significant elevation within under 40 km. The route passes historical sites such as old castles, abbeys, and chapels, alongside panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau. This is a local charity trail, not a large commercial event, emphasizing the straightforward appeal of strenuous climbing, running above the Geneva basin, and contributing to a charitable cause.