Trails of Gruyères and Gstaad

Gruyères is an easily accessible town in the French-speaking Pays d’Enhaut region of Switzerland. It can be easily reached from Geneva airport by train in about 2 hours.

A well-preserved medieval town, made famous due its cheese production of the same name, Gruyères is a true delight. Popular with day-trippers, spending a little more time here and exploring the area on foot is a great way to get to know a place that most people visit only fleetingly.

Wander the cobbled streets, taking in the views of the surrounding Alpine foothills, and visit the castle or church, both architectural gems. Gruyères also has a small but eclectic collection of museums, a H.R Giger museum (a Swiss artist whose work was heavily used in the Alien films) and a Tibet museum. There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner, unsurprisingly, most dishes are based on cheese! Delicious!

Today’s loop walk takes you from Gruyères to Moléson-sur-Gruyères Alpine Cheese Dairy.  Starting and finishing at La Maison du Gruyères, you will have ample opportunity to learn about the art of traditional cheese making.

Follow paths through Gruyère’s lush green pastures, passing herds of Swiss cows and traditional alpine chalets with shingle roofs.  Arriving at Moléson-sur-Gruyères, if you are early enough, watch cheese being made as it was in the 17th century (demonstrations at 10am), over a wood fire in a typical Alpine hut. If you don’t make it in time for the demonstration, you can still visit the hut and have lunch there if you have worked up an appetite! Head back to Gruyères on foot, or catch a bus if you prefer.

Ascent/descent: 560m/560m

After a relaxing breakfast, take a peaceful flat path alongside the Sarine (Sanne in German) river, to the neighbouring town of Broc- home to the famous Cailler Chocolate Factory. Chocolate is an important part of Switzerland’s culinary heritage, and a visit to the museum is ideal for those interested to learn more about how it is produced. Linger in the tasting room, enjoy a rich hot chocolate in the café and stock up on some presents from the factory shop.

If you prefer to save your appetite for later, or the factory is too busy (it’s a popular place!), walk to the beautiful Gorges de la Jonge, which is located just behind the factory.

Take a train to Rossinière or Château-dŒx (depending on how far you would like to walk), from where you will follow an easy riverside path to Rougemont, your base for the next two nights. A traditional Swiss village, this quiet town is really chocolate-box perfect and is a great contrast to both Gruyères and Gstaad which are bigger and busier.

Walk 1: Gruyères to Broc: 6km, Ascent/Descent: 40m/160m 

Walk 2: Rossinière to Rougemont: 13km, Ascent/Descent:  215m/130 

Today’s walk crosses the ‘Roestigraben’ (roesti-ditch), the name given to the cultural and linguistic border that separates French and German-speaking Switzerland. Passing from the canton of Vaud to that of Bern, follow country roads out of Rougemont past wooden chalets and farmland, to reach the town of Saanen. Dropdown through the village, another impressive example of well-preserved traditional architecture, to reach the Saane (Sarine) river once again. Follow the river the rest of the way until you reach Gstaad, your stop for the next three nights.

Gstaad is perhaps best known as a ski resort for the rich and famous, but there is much more to it than that! The Gstaad region is home to the most Swiss cows than any other region in Switzerland, a fact which hints at its traditional roots, something that the inhabitants are rightly proud of and works hard to preserve. It is also a vibrant summer destination with many exciting events taking place, such as volleyball tournaments and music festivals, as well as being a hiker’s paradise!

Ascent/Descent: 265m/215m

Fill up at the breakfast buffet for a day on the trails high up around Gstaad. Take a bus to Col du Pillon at 1,546m. Ascend to Lac Retaud at 1,685m (and back into French-speaking Switzerland!). Continue to ascend to Col de Voré (1,918m), the entrance to the Tschärzis valley and the highest point of today’s walk. Descend gently to Arnensee, a picturesque lake, complete with a shore-side restaurant for a refreshment. Or take a picnic to enjoy on the banks. The wildflowers here are particularly beautiful (in full bloom in July). Continue to the village of Feuterseoy where you can catch a bus back to Gstaad.

Ascent/Descent: 420m/830m

Take the cable car to Wispile at 1907m to start today’s walk. From here, follow the ridgeline and take in fabulous views over the entire Saanenland region. Descend steeply to the Chirnepass (1659m). The path undulates, before a steady descent to serene Lauenensee, also a nature reserve. Enjoy a break on one of the many benches-perfect for a picnic– before starting the descent to Lauenen village where you can take the bus back to Gstaad.

Should you decide to take a break from the trails. There are plenty of other options to keep you busy in Gstaad. Take the bus and cable car to Glacier 3000, where on a clear day you will have views to 24 summits over 4000m high such as Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn. Enjoy a taste of the high-life by going for a dip in the luxurious Gstaad-Palace hotel’s outdoor pool. The 50m pool is open to the public and is a great place to unwind.

 Ascent/Descent:  115m/650m

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your onward travel arrangements.