Cave of the Orjobet

Cave of the Orjobet is a natural passage bored straight through a limestone cliff on the Salève massif, in the commune of Collonges-sous-Salève, Haute-Savoie, just across the border from Geneva. It sits on one of the most demanding hiking routes on the Salève and combines geology, alpine history, and a sweeping view over the Geneva basin in a single stop.

Where exactly is it?

The cave lies on the French side of the Salève, the long limestone ridge that rises directly above Geneva. It marks a key point on the trail that climbs from the Le Coin car park (660 m) up to the Croisette pass (1,175 m), in the steeper upper section of the massif, within the boundaries of Collonges-sous-Salève.

Why is it called Orjobet, and who found it?

The name comes from François Orjobet, a local guide who in 1779 led the Geneva-born naturalist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure — one of the founding figures of modern alpinism and Alpine geology — through this stretch of the Salève. Their exploration brought them to the rock passage that would later carry the guide's name. The path itself was laid out and fitted with fixed equipment in 1905 by the Geneva section of the Swiss Alpine Club, funded through a public subscription, and it was renovated again in 1947. Since 2005, day-to-day management has been handled by the Syndicat Mixte de Salève, while the land belongs to the municipality of Collonges-sous-Salève.

What is it like to walk through?

Inside, the cave is a genuine tunnel bored clean through the rock, connecting one face of the cliff to the other. Because parts of the passage run along steep, exposed rock, the route is fitted with steps and cables — fixtures dating back to the early 20th-century works and updated since. The tunnel section itself is short, but the exposure means it still calls for a steady head and sure footing.

What else is on the route?

The cave is one stop on a marked geological trail equipped with information panels explaining the Salève's rock formations. The same loop passes other features worth noting: the Trou de la Tine, a narrow cleft crossed by squeezing through sideways, and the rock arches of La Corraterie. The full loop runs about 9 km, takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes, and climbs close to 670 m — rated very difficult and aimed at experienced hikers. The payoff is a 360-degree panorama taking in Geneva, Lake Geneva, and the Mont Blanc range.

When is the best time to go?

The trail sees hikers for much of the year, but its steepest and most exposed stretches call for checking snow and weather conditions before setting out, since winter and early spring can make the passage risky. A short detour of about 20 minutes off the main route leads to the Auberge des Crêts, a mountain inn where walkers can stop for food partway through the hike.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to the Cave of the Orjobet? No — the road ends at the Le Coin car park in Collonges-sous-Salève, and the cave is reached on foot from there.

Is the cave passage difficult? Yes. The steep, exposed sections are fitted with steps and cables for safety, and the full loop is classed as a very difficult hike.

Is the trail suitable for children? Given the exposed passages and the length of the loop, it is better suited to experienced hikers than to families with young children.

Where does the cave's name come from? From François Orjobet, the guide who led naturalist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure through this part of the Salève in 1779.

What can you see near the cave along the trail? A panoramic view over Geneva, Lake Geneva, and Mont Blanc, plus nearby rock features such as the Trou de la Tine and the arches of La Corraterie.