Our logistics were somewhat simpler, we needed to get six of us to Col du Marchairuz to start the walk and get us home from St Cergue. Busses only run to the Col on Saturday and Sunday.
We met in 2 different car parks at Givrins (somebody could not read the instructions) and drove in 2 cars up to Col du Marchairuz. At the end of the walk we all descended by the little red train from St Cergue to Givrins whereupon 2 kept on the train to Nyon (something about a bar serving good beers) and the rest was easy.
The valley was foggy and cold but once we got up to the Col we were above all the cloud with brilliant sunshine and wonderful fall colours.
Today’s hike was one section of Swiss National Trail #5 which runs for 16 sections and 320 km between Zurich and Geneva. As such it’s a good path and well marked essentially all the way.
We set off at a sprightly pace and soon reached Crêt de la Neuve where we stopped to top up our fluids and admire the view across to Mont Blanc.
About 1:30 we decided we were about half way so it must be lunch time. Peter supplied a good red wine and we all socially distanced ourselves (actually we each found convenient rocks for seats). Lunch was finished off with coffee and 2 types of whisk(e)y provided by Scot Rob and Irish Richard. There was naturally much discussion over the relative merits but all other than the Scotsman and Irishman thought they were both good.
Eventually we had to continue the hike and went past the ruins of Oujon with hardly a pause to admire them and on into St Cergue where we saw the 16:02 train just as we were crossing the tracks. There was mad scrambling with mobile phones as we all tried to buy our tickets and we were off down the mountain.
A great day out with excellent company and weather to match. Just under 17 km with 450 m ascent and 850 m descent.
Peters D&T, Richard W, Mike H, Rob P, Mark 2Ts.
