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!
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Overnight Gruyères
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Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Well situated in the medieval section of Gruyères, this rustic and comfortable hotel is traditionally furnished yet has all the modern facilities needed for a pleasant stay.
Well situated in the medieval section of Gruyères, this basic but impeccably clean and comfortable hotel is traditionally furnished and has a wonderful on-site restaurant.
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:Â 560m/560m
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Overnight Gruyères
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Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Well situated in the medieval section of Gruyères, this rustic and comfortable hotel is traditionally furnished yet has all the modern facilities needed for a pleasant stay.
Well situated in the medieval section of Gruyères, this basic but impeccably clean and comfortable hotel is traditionally furnished and has a wonderful on-site restaurant.
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/160mÂ
Walk 2: Rossinière to Rougemont: 13km, Ascent/Descent: 215m/130Â
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Overnight Rougemont
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Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
This family-run hotel offers traditional Alpine-style rooms with views to the flower-filled streets of Rougemont, or of the mountains. The relaxed friendly atmosphere, along with the brilliant home-made food really makes this hotel stand out.
Conveniently located next to Rougemont train station, the friendly and helpful team are always on hand to help with any questions you might have about the local area.
A friendly welcome awaits at this cosy and intimate 4* hotel. Designed in comfy Alpine style, relax in your spacious room, the lounge, library or even the cinema room!
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:Â 265m/215m
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Overnight Gstaad
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Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Dating back to the 19th Century, the Posthotel Roessli is the oldest hotel in Gstaad and they have certainly perfected the art of hospitality over this time! Situated in the pedestrianised centre, the hotel is a firm favourite with visitors.
Superbly located in the centre of Gstaad, you’re never far from the action. Fabienne and the team and waiting to offer you a warm welcome to this charming 3* hotel which has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, as well as clean and comfortable rooms.
This charming 4* Chalet-style hotel located in the centre of Gstaad. Decorated in typical wooden-alpine style, rooms are comfortable and spacious.
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:Â 420m/830m
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Overnight Gstaad
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Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Dating back to the 19th Century, the Posthotel Roessli is the oldest hotel in Gstaad and they have certainly perfected the art of hospitality over this time! Situated in the pedestrianised centre, the hotel is a firm favourite with visitors.
Superbly located in the centre of Gstaad, you’re never far from the action. Fabienne and the team and waiting to offer you a warm welcome to this charming 3* hotel which has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, as well as clean and comfortable rooms.
This charming 4* Chalet-style hotel located in the centre of Gstaad. Decorated in typical wooden-alpine style, rooms are comfortable and spacious.
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
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Overnight Gstaad
![]()
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Dating back to the 19th Century, the Posthotel Roessli is the oldest hotel in Gstaad and they have certainly perfected the art of hospitality over this time! Situated in the pedestrianised centre, the hotel is a firm favourite with visitors.
Superbly located in the centre of Gstaad, you’re never far from the action. Fabienne and the team and waiting to offer you a warm welcome to this charming 3* hotel which has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, as well as clean and comfortable rooms.
This charming 4* Chalet-style hotel located in the centre of Gstaad. Decorated in typical wooden-alpine style, rooms are comfortable and spacious.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your onward travel arrangements.Â
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