Cycling route: The Northern Gesse Loop
The Northern Gex Loop sets off from Gex, passing through Sergy, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, Versonnex and Cessy before reaching Divonne-les-Bains. A hilly route winding through the villages of the Gex region, offering panoramic views of Lake Geneva
Km 0 — Start in Gex (669 m)
Take the western access road for 12 m, turn left and follow the A642 for 29 m.
Km 0.7 — Turn left, still on the A642 (642 m)
Continue for 662 m. Descent from Gex towards the plain.
Km 1.2 — Turn right towards Place Perdtemps, then left towards Rue de la Fontaine (598 m)
Cross the centre of Gex for 394 m.
Km 2.0 — Turn right towards Rue Leone de Joinville (638 m)
Continue for 799 m. The descent continues.
Km 2.9 — Keep left towards Rue de l’Etraz (635 m)
Follow for 884 m.
Km 4.9 — Straight on towards Rue de Vallière (615 m)
Long straight stretch of 2.03 km. Rolling terrain towards Sergy.
Km 5.1 — Turn left onto Route de la Vie-Dessus, then turn left onto Rue de la Pierre (598 m)
Continue for 204 m.
Km 5.2 — Turn right onto Rue des Saugis (602 m)
Continue for 120 m.
Km 5.4 — Turn left onto Rue des Maures (591 m)
Continue for 162 m.
Km 5.5 — Turn right onto a road, then keep left towards Route de Naz Dessus (592 m)
Continue for 79 m. Sergy area.
Km 6.9 — Turn left onto Route de la Source, then turn right onto Route du Pont de l’Allondon, D89 (563 m)
⚠️ Follow the D89 for 2.18 km. A beautiful road running alongside the Allondon.
Km 9.0 — Turn left onto Route d’Harée (539 m)
Follow for 847 m.
Km 10.9 — Keep right, still on Route d’Harée (491 m)
Several junctions close together; stay on Route d’Harée for about 800 m.
Km 11.7 — Continue straight on towards Route de Crozet (470 m)
Follow the road for 203 m, then keep right for 90 m.
Km 12.0 — Keep right onto the D35a (467 m)
Follow the road for 30 m. Saint-Genis-Pouilly area. Lowest point of the route.
Km 13.1 — Towards Saint-Genis-Pouilly (455 m)
A long, rolling stretch of nearly 6 km across the Gessian plain.
Km 18.8 — Straight on towards Rue de Villard, D78d (474 m)
Follow for 50 m.
Km 18.9 — Turn left onto Rue de Gex, D1005 (480 m)
Follow for 339 m. Pass through Saint-Genis-Pouilly.
Km 19.2 — Turn right onto Rue de Divonne, D15 (484 m)
⚠️ Busier road. Follow the D15 for 402 m.
Km 19.6 — Keep right, still on the D15 (484 m)
Continue for 94 m then straight on for 1.34 km towards Versonnex and Cessy.
Km 22.8 — Keep right towards Route de Versonnex, D15 (507 m)
Follow for 104 m. Pass through Versonnex.
Km 25.2 — Turn right onto Chemin Jacques Belay (513 m)
Follow for 185 m.
Km 25.4 — Turn left onto the cycle path (513 m)
⚠️ Follow the cycle path for 2.42 km. A pleasant and safe stretch towards Cessy.
Km 27.6 — Turn left onto Avenue du Mont Mussy, D15 (482 m)
Follow for 160 m. Approaching Divonne-les-Bains.
Km 28.8 — Keep right onto Avenue du Mont Mussy, D984c (519 m)
Follow for 30 m.
Km 30.2 — Turn right onto Route de Saint-Gix (564 m)
Follow for 687 m. Crossing the hills above Divonne-les-Bains.
Km 32.1 — Keep left towards Chemin de l’Etraz (664 m)
Continue for 1.85 km. ⚠️ Start of the final climb towards Gex.
Km 32.7 — Slightly right towards Route de Divonne, D15h, then turn right onto Route de la Chapelle (668 m)
Turn around immediately, follow Route de la Chapelle for 2.68 km. ⚠️ Steep climb towards Gex.
Km 35.4 — Turn right towards Rue des Usiniers (600 m)
Follow for 736 m.
Km 36.1 — Keep left towards Rue du Creux du Loup (630 m)
Follow for 380 m.
Km 36.5 — Turn right onto Chemin des Clavières d’Englane (660 m)
Turn around immediately and backtrack for 34 m.
Km 36.6 — Turn right onto Rue du Creux du Loup (660 m)
Follow for 531 m.
Km 37.1 — Keep left onto Rue de Paris, D1005 (723 m)
Follow for 159 m. ⚠️ Highest point of the route.
Km 37.3 — Turn right onto Impasse des Contreforts (737 m) 🏔️
Follow for 388 m then keep left for 50 m.
Km 37.7 — Turn right onto Rue de Paris, D1005 (729 m)
Final straight of 670 m, gentle descent towards Gex.
Km 38.4 — Finish in Gex (669 m) 🏁
Itinerary details
Alert
A road shared with motorists.
Description
This route takes you on a beautiful loop starting in Gex. It first descends toward the Gex plain, passing through Sergy and Saint-Genis-Pouilly, before following the Swiss border towards Versonnex and Cessy. It then reaches Divonne-les-Bains, a spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva, before beginning the return journey via the Route de la Chapelle. The end of the route offers a beautiful final climb with unobstructed views of the plain and the Alps, before returning to Gex. A challenging route, combining technical descents, fast-paced sections and sustained climbs in a remarkable natural setting.
▶▶This road cycling route is provided for guidance only and is intended exclusively for experienced cyclists.
Important information before you set off:
This route is not signposted and requires the use of a GPS or navigation app. The route uses roads open to motor traffic: compliance with the Highway Code is mandatory. A good level of fitness and proficiency in road cycling are essential. Please also remember to check the weather conditions before setting off and adapt your ride accordingly.