The weather forecast promised a dry spell up to Thursday so it was suitable for a hike up the Salève via the Grotte d’Orjobet and back down via the Grande Gorge. Five of us duly assembled at the parking Le Coin and set off shortly after 10:00. Mervyn, Nicolas, Mike M, new member Peter Strebel and Mark 2Ts. The ascent was totally in the shade from the trees so felt reasonably cool and we made good progress with the occasional ooh and aah as we came into a clear patch and saw the views below.
Shortly after we were through the Grotte d’Orjobet with just a gentle stroll left until we arrived at our restaurant after a hike of almost exactly 2 hours.
We’d booked at the Auberge des Montagnards in la Croisette and they gave us a table with panoramic views over the alps. The food was up to the quality of the view and we left, well fortified, at about 13:30.
Our leader, me, then proceeded to get us lost, trying several descents from the plateau before we actually reached the Grande Gorge. Eventually, with the help of several phone apps, we found the correct path, further on than I had remembered and started our descent. This was as tricky as we remembered but we took it slowly, thought how much worse it would be when wet, and eventually got back to our cars at Le Coin where we replenished our energy with coffee, nuts and raisins before driving home.
A good day out, 12 km, 714 m height gain. All the ascent and descent in the shade from trees. Only the walk along the top in the sun, however this was longer than it should have been for which we blame the leader.
