VINEYARD, VALLEY AND JURA VIEWS AT THE SIGNAL DE BERNEX

From the centre of the vineyard village Bernex head up to the "Signal de Bernex", the Canton of Geneva's second-highest viewpoint with all-round views over vineyards, valleys and the Jura. Follow the signposts steeply downhill to Lully (enjoy some wine/grape juice tasting!) and amble along the peaceful river Aire towards Onex, meeting frogs and herons on the way. Your kids will love visiting "La Gavotte" – an open farm with free-running animals such as goats and pigs. (The farm is on the opposite bank of the Aire, five minutes towards Plan-les-Ouates.) From there it's a 15-minute walk up through fields and forest to Onex.

BETWEEN VINES, FIELDS AND LAKE: HERMANCE

Start: Anières (bus E)
End: Hermance (bus E)
(Parking in Anières and Hermance)
Time: 1 hour
Pushchair friendly? Yes

This easy one-hour stroll only ever leaves paved roads once. Starting off among fields just above Anières, the valley stretches out flat towards the French Alps. From the hamlet of Chevrens, you descend among autumn vineyards offering open views across Lake Geneva and the Jura beyond. Hermance boasts a medieval tower, ancient houses, fun little shops, and a wonderful beach/picnic and playground area to chill out on after the exercise…and to buy your little ones an ice cream as a reward!

WILD WOODLAND AND GURGLING WATER
ALONG THE ALLONDON

Start: Satigny (bus S)
End: Satigny
(Parking in Satigny or at Moulin Fabry)
Time: 2.5 hours (can be extended to La Plaine)
Pushchair friendly? Sadly not. Some narrow bits of path along steep declines

A varied walk for families with older children in one of the wildest areas of the canton of Geneva – boars roam the forests here, and city life suddenly seems very far away! From the vineyard village of Satigny amble down the country road towards the French border at "Moulin Fabry", a crumbling mill whose history dates back to the 14th century. From there, follow a sometimes tranquil, sometimes rushing Allondon winding its way down the woodland valley. You'll find a great natural swimming, sun-bathing and rock-pool-exploring area by the riverbed along the way. Past the campsite, head back up to Satigny via Peissy.

NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY AT AIRE-LA-VILLE (CHANIÈRES) NATURE RESERVE

Start: Aire-la-Ville (bus S)
End: Aire-la-Ville
(Parking next to the hydroelectric dam by the Rhone)
Time: 45 minutes
Pushchair friendly? Yes. Watch out for vipers, frogs, and planes!

This walk takes you from the hydroelectric dam through woodland along a tranquil and deep-blue Rhone into the small Chanières Nature Reserve. Information panels will guide your discovery of the local fauna and flora, such as Ophrys Sphegodes, a rare type of orchid. In autumn, you might spot storks stopping over here on their way to the south. To children's delight, low-flying planes are the order of the day, as the airport is very close. Picnic tables and fireplaces are available near the dam.

JOINING RIVERS, ANIMALS AND WOODLAND AT THE JONCTION

Start: Jonction (tram 14; bus 2, 4, 19, D)
End: Jonction
Time: 30 minutes
Pushchair friendly? Yes up to and around the Bois de la Bâtie/across the railway bridge (but not along the Rhone path)

Less than ten minutes uphill from the busy Jonction, the Bois de la Bâtie offers a variety of strolls across a quiet woodland park. At the small free zoo you can discover alpine creatures such as goats and alpine ibex. From the top of the railway bridge (accessible to pedestrians) you can marvel at the river Rhone and Arve melting into each other. Back at the Bois de la Bâtie, make use of the large playground and picnic area, or take the woodland path along the Rhone out of town. From here, you can ramble on to your heart's content, for example to Onex (ca. 3km/1 hour from Jonction).