This hike offers a fresh, green route even on the hottest summer days. Follow this rural path that winds along the river before entering the Avançon gorges. You will see superb rock faces all around you.

• Public transport stops for departure/arrival: Fontannaz Seulaz bus stop 
• Hiking route from and to via: Peuffeyre – Avançon gorges – Les Plans-sur-Bex (and return) 
• Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hrs

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Nestled at the foot of the Vaud Alps, the Chablais region is covered with sun-drenched vineyards and abounds in natural and cultural treasures. The Vineyard Trail is a wine tourism route offering a walkable connection between the wine cellars and the main tourist attractions of this wine-growing region.

• Public transport stops for departure/arrival: Aigle station, Ollon station, Bex station 
• Hiking route from and to via: Yvorne vineyards, Aigle Castle and its Vineyard Museum, the Bex Salt Mines, the Lavey-les-Bains Thermal Centre and the Saint-Maurice Abbey
• Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 6.5 hrs

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The Les Grangettes nature reserve is located on the former large Rhone delta. Before the river was brought under control by humans, its flooding and depositing patterns constantly created sand and gravel banks. The result is a mosaic of lagoons and islands. Reeds colonised the river banks and the land was covered with marshes and alluvial forests. It is an ideal nesting site for a large number of aquatic and marshland birds. Amphibians and insects, a popular source of food for migratory birds, breed here in large numbers. On your walk from Villeneuve to Bouveret, thematic panels tell you all about the habitats and characteristic species of the site.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Villeneuve/Bouveret
• Route: Villeneuve–Bouveret or other routes
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 2h

You reach the top of the Berneuse by cable car and climb down to Lake Aï overlooked by the majestic Tour d’Aï. Pass by Lake Mayen below the Tour de Mayen and continue towards the Tour de Famelon, where you can admire the karst rock formations. Then hike down to Leysin via Les Fers.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Berneuse (Leysin)/Leysin (bottom station)
• Route: Berneuse–Lac d’Aï–Lac de Mayen–Les Fers–Leysin
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 2h30m

Vineyards, old mountain villages, green pastures, remote lakes and vast panoramas: this eight-day tour is an anthology of the Vaud Alps. The second stage crosses forests and pastures from Leysin to Les Fers and continues towards the Tour de Famelon and then the Pierre du Moëllé. You have the opportunity to admire many geological formations. The path then follows the Mont d’Or to Les Mosses.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Leysin-Feydey/Les Mosses, village
• Route: Leysin–Pierre du Moëllé–Les Mosses
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 5h20m

Lake Lioson is the pearl of the Alpine lakes and offers a beautiful hiking destination for young and old alike. The climb is quite steep but short and in the shade of the trees, with a beautiful view of the Pra Cornet plateau. The descent is on the same path or via the Petits Lacs, taking a path on the hillside.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Col des Mosses/Col des Mosses
• Route: Col des Mosses–Fromagerie du Lioson d’en Bas–Lac Lioson–(option: Petits Lacs)–Col des Mosses
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 2h

A small paradise in the Vaud Alps: Lake Retaud and its reflection of the Les Diablerets massif. A beautiful view of Feutersoey and Lake Arnon awaits from the foot of La Palette. The Chalet d’Isenau and Chalet Vieux offer their traditional Étivaz cheese.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000/Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000
• Route: Col du Pillon–Lac Retaud–Col des Andérets–Lac Retaud–Col du Pillon
• Difficulty: Grade; medium, Fitness level; medium
• Duration: 2h50m

Discover the fox and the bearded vulture by following the route of La Salamandre treasure hunt. On this hike you will discover the fauna of the Vaud Alps. Starting from the Domaine des Sources, this route takes you through the forest along the Grande Eau river to Le Droutzay. Along the way, look out for the posts and read the questions carefully, find the answers and fill in the form to enter the prize draw. Once a month, you could win great La Salamandre prizes by entering the right answers in your treasure hunt notebook.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Les Diablerets/Les Diablerets
• Route: Domaine des Sources–Le Droutzay
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 1h

The Dar waterfall originates on the Les Diablerets glacier and springs up from under the snow and rocks to finally crash into the river bed below. This hike takes you through the forest along the Dar gorges to the Col du Pillon. When the weather is nice, you can also dip your feet in the small basins below the waterfall – coolness guaranteed! For the more adventurous, there is a route that allows you to climb to the foot of the impressive waterfall, which is about 90 metres high.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Les Diablerets/Col du Pillon, Glacier 3000
• Route: Les Diablerets–Passerelle d’Aigue Noir–La Palanche–Cascade du Dar–Col du Pillon
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 1h30m

Vineyards, old mountain villages, green pastures, remote lakes and vast panoramas: this eight-day tour is an anthology of the Vaud Alps. The sixth stage takes you from Les Diablerets to Villars-sur-Ollon via the Col de la Croix, a site of geological interest with its gypsum pyramids – a true masterpiece of nature sculpted over the centuries by the elements.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Les Diablerets/Villars-sur-Ollon
• Route: Les Diablerets–Col de la Croix–Col de Bretaye–Villars-sur-Ollon
• Difficulty: Grade; medium, Fitness level; medium
• Duration: 6h10m

A hike of intermediate difficulty passing through the hills and peaks of the Vaud Alps, which offers various views of Les Diablerets, the mountain range and the heights of Villars. Starting from the upper station of the Les Diablerets-Les Mazots cable car or from the Col de la Croix, which can be reached by bus, this route takes you to the summit of the Encrène to enjoy a magnificent panorama of the mountains of the region. You then follow the mountain ridge to the Tête de Meilleret and descend to Les Mazots. Don’t forget to stop at the Les Mazots restaurant before coming back down by bus or cable car.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Les Diablerets/Les Diablerets. Continue by the Diablerets Express cable car (Les Diablerets–Les Mazots) or by bus (Les Diablerets, gare–Col de la Croix)
• Route: Col de la Croix–Encrène–Tête de Meilleret–Les Mazots–Col de la Croix loop
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 2h

Go on an adventure with Sam, discover the heights of Villars and learn more about the hare! From the Col de la Croix, which can be reached by bus, hike towards Bretaye along a pleasant path offering a clear view of the Vaud Alps. At the end of this treasure hunt, you can reach Villars by train.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Col-de-la-Croix/Col-de-Bretaye
• Route: Col de la Croix–Ensex–Bretaye
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 2h

Discover the world of the bees by following the route of the La Salamandre treasure hunt. Find the posts along the route. They are situated by the side of the road, but some are better hidden than others... so keep your eyes open! Once you have found the post, read the question carefully and circle the correct answer in your notebook. Then, fill in your details and return your form to the Villars Tourist Office to have it validated.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Col-de-Bretaye/Villars-sur-Ollon
• Route: Bretaye–Les Bouquetins–Col de Soud–Villars
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 1h30m

From Bretaye towards Lac des Chavonnes, walk through the hamlet of Bretaye, admire the eponymous lake on your left, and then hike down to Lac Noir further along the route on your right. Walk along the lake and past the pond on your left and then you’ll arrive at Lac des Chavonnes, where you can find a restaurant of the same name.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Col-de-Bretaye/Col-de-Bretaye
• Route: Bretaye–Lac de Bretaye–Lac Noir–Lac des Chavonnes
• Difficulty: intermediate
• Duration: 1h20m
• Large wheels and suspension are recommended for pushchairs on this route.

Follow in the path of the ‘white gold’ through hamlets, forests, meadows and vineyards: this educational trail with information panels follows the route of an old brine pipeline that used to carry salt water. At the end of the hike, you can visit the salt mines in Bex.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Plambuit/Le Bévieux
• Route: Plambuit–Antagnes–Le Bouillet (Mines de Sel de Bex)–Le Bévieux
• Difficulty: Grade; easy, Fitness level; medium
• Duration: 3h35m

Walk around the majestic cliffs that overlook St-Maurice on a path that leads along the rocks to the Vérossaz plateau and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Rhone valley before ending the hike near to the cultural sites and historic fortifications.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: St-Maurice/St-Maurice
• Route: St-Maurice–Plateau de Vérossaz–St-Maurice
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 3h

Walk through the forest of the They valley in an enchanting setting. During your hike, you cross 32 bridges that take you over the Vièze river. It’s an ideal route for families thanks to the Cantine de They at the end of the route offering food and drink.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Morgins, poste/Morgins, poste
• Route: Ranch de Morgins–Eau Rouge–Cantine de They and back
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 1h30m

The Galerie Défago is a natural path nestled in the rock that offers a bird’s eye view of the village of Champéry. It is a breathtaking path of more than 600m where a wide variety of flowers grow. You can take a break for food and drink at the Cantine des Rives.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Champéry/Champéry
• Route: Gare de Champéry–Grand-Paradis–Cantine des Rives and back
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 2h

A trip to the banks of the Lac Vert is one of the most beautiful excursions in the Portes du Soleil region. It is a very popular hike and you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the clear water when you reach the lake. Nearby, the Refuge de Chésery provides something to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Croix-de-Culet/Croix-de-Culet
• Route: Croix de Culet–Alpage de Chaupalin–Refuge de Chésery and back
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 3h50m

Used in wartime as a smuggler’s route between France and Switzerland, this route is steeped in history. After passing the Col de Cou that marks the border, the route leads to the Barme plateau nestled in a green setting and surrounded by Alpine chalets and herds.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Croix-de-Culet/Champéry
• Route: Croix de Culet–Cantine Lapisa–Col de Cou–Plateau de Barme–Cantine de Bamaz–Cantine des Dents Blanches–Guest House du Grand Paradis
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 5h20m

You can reach the Croix de Culet effortlessly by cable car. From there, admire the landscape and let yourself be lulled by the symphony of the animal’s bells. On your way, you can enjoy a meal on the grass or in a mountain hut.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Croix-de-Culet/Champéry
• Route: Croix de Culet–Lapisa–Le Pont–Le Grand Paradis–Champéry
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 3h

From Torgon, a small village in the Chablais region of Valais, perched at an altitude of just over 1,000 metres, you cross a landscape rich in diverse flora and fauna. With a bit of luck, you may even catch a glimpse of a mouflon, the symbol of the region. A magnificent view over Lake Geneva, the Vaud and Valais Alps, the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc awaits you.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Torgon, la Jorette/Torgon, la Jorette
• Route: Torgon–Torgon
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 4h40m

The Lac de Taney, situated high up above the Rhone Valley and nestled in one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Alps, is a popular hiking destination. On this route, hikers discover rich and varied flora and a magnificent view of the surrounding peaks.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: Miex, village/Miex, Le Flon
• Route: Miex–Taney–Col de Taney–Miex
• Difficulty: Grade; medium, Fitness level; medium
• Duration: 3h

Following the mythical GR5, you discover the richness of the Novel valley, the freshness of the Morge river and the small village of Novel (the smallest in Haute-Savoie), before finishing your hike by the historical chestnut grove of Saint-Gingolph, which is currently in the process of being rejuvenated.

• Public transport stop at the start/finish: St-Gingolph station or landing stage
• Route: Saint-Gingolph in France to Saint-Gingolph in Switzerland via Novel
• Difficulty: easy
• Duration: 3h

SwitzerlandMobility

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Villars/Les Diablerets region

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Aigle/Leysin/Les Mosses region

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Dents du Midi region

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