Discover, through a dozen steles, some of the natural riches of the Jura vaudois regional nature park and the history of Simeon.
The departure point for the Sapin à Siméon trail, a loop walk, is located in the nature reserve of the Parc Jura vaudois directly at the place called Sapin à Siméon - Col du Marchairuz (1330m) - Stop "Gimel, Sapin Siméon" respectively opposite the car park.
The path is paved at the beginning of the route, then gravel. It is easy to access for everyone, even for walkers with a pushchair (you have to carry it for a few dozen metres).
Discover the secrets of the Parc Jura vaudois thanks to eight information panels along the way!
- Cheese, the "fruit" of the mountain
- Needles or leaves?
- The Jura, a natural sieve
- Orchids under our feet
- Wild animals or pets
- A great wall
- The man of leisure
- Simeon, a messenger and a fir tree
In addition, this walk offers superb panoramas of the Mont Blanc, the Alps, Lake Geneva, the Geneva water jet, the Dents du Midi and the entire Lake Geneva region.
You can also admire the dry-stone walls, which are listed as part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The name of the path comes from Siméon Meylan, a man who used to carry the mail on foot to the Marchairuz from the valley and back. He always rested under a large white fir tree before crossing the Marchairuz pass after the tough climb up from St-George.
At the end of the 1950s, this venerable conifer, which had been struck by lightning several times, fell victim to the construction of the new road. The story, which has become a legend, remains, as does the statue of Simeon carved from a trunk in the neighbouring forest and donated by its creator, Mr Paul Monney of St. George.
There is also a magnificent picnic area with a small barbecue. There are other picnic spots along the road up to the pass. You can also enjoy a traditional meal in the restaurant on the pass.
