The Dranse delta trail
A short, flat walk through the nature reserve to the mouth of the Dranse and the lakeshore.
- Distance
- 2.6 km
- Ascent
- 13 m
- Stated time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route
- Out and back, or one way
Figures from the source: Thonon Léman Tourisme, Dranse delta walk. Times are walking times without breaks; they vary with fitness, terrain and season.
The route
Between Thonon and Évian, the Dranse flows into Lake Geneva, forming a delta of pebbles and islets that shift with every flood. The reserve’s waymarked trail crosses the riverside forest, runs along the Saint-Disdille pond and leads down to the lake.
A hide lets you watch the birds without disturbing them: diving ducks in winter, little ringed plovers and black kites in spring and summer. Dogs are banned from the reserve, even on a lead.
What you see on the way
- The birdwatching hide
- The mouth of the Dranse
- A small shingle beach on the lakeshore
- Information panels on the river and its wildlife
Starting point
Nature reserve entrance, Publier (return to the Saint-Disdille car park)
- Trailhead
- Trailhead
Nature reserve entrance, Publier (return to the Saint-Disdille car park)
Start of “The Dranse delta trail”.
Good to know
- The islets and gravel banks are closed from 15 March to 15 August for nesting.
Before you set off
Check the weather and the lake webcams, and the state of the trail with the official source: a route can be closed (works, rockfall, snow) without this page knowing.