Grotte d'Orjobet

Useful Information

Location:	Collonges-sous-Saleve. (46.131630, 6.168857)
Open:	no restrictions. [2022]
Fee:	free. [2022]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=1,200 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Maison de la Mobilité et du Tourisme, 2 place de la Gare, 74100 Annemasse, Tel: +33-450-95-07-10.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1779	discovered by the physicist, geologist and naturalist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure from Geneva.
1905	equipped with a path by the Geneva section of the Swiss Alpine Club (Club Alpin Suisse, CAS).
1947	trail renovated.
2005	management handed over to the Syndicat Mixte de Salève.

Description

Grotte d'Orjobet (Orjobet Cave) is a semi-wild cave, located at a walking trail it was equipped with a similar trail by the Geneva section of the Swiss Alpine Club (CAS). As a result it can be visited when you walk on the trail, just bring a lamp, normal hiking clothes are appropriate. However, while the cave is not more difficult than the trail, the trail is an alpine trail and requires appropriate abilities. Physical fitness, good walking shoes, food and drink, sun protection, clothes for bad weather and so forth. It is located in a limestone ridge named Salève above Geneva on the French side, which is part of the French Alps. While Geneva is only about 375 m asl, this ridge reaches 1,300 m asl. There is actually a road across the ridge, which is accessed from Monnetier, Collonges-sous-Saleve, or from Cruseiles. The cave is in the cliff face and can either be reached from below or from the plateau on top, but most people visit it while doing a roundtrip.

While the cave is worth a visit and the trail offers great views, there is another highlight, the Sentier Géologique de la Grotte d'Orjobet (Geologic Trail Orjobet Cave). It has a length of 11 km and a vertical range of more than 900 m, it takes 4.5 hours. Depending on your physical fitness that's a half day or full day hike. It is considered one of the most difficult trails in the Salève in terms of duration, altitude and exposedness, and is intended for experienced hikers. The starting point is at Place Amédée VIII de Savoie in the center of Collonges Sous Salève or at the town hall of Bossey. It is marked with rock crystal pictograms and has numerous explanatory signs.

The cave was discovered by the physicist, geologist and naturalist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure from Geneva in 1779. He named it after his guide François Orjobe, a peasant from Le Coin. Horace-Bénédict de Saussure is considered to be one of the founders of mountaineering.