Along the shores of Lake Geneva from Villeneuve to Montreux.

Start from the Villeneuve ferry landing stage. Several free car parks are available, but parking is limited to 4 hours (parking disc):
- Near Villeneuve railway station, level with the landing stage but slightly further into town (paid parking also available, with a parking meter).
- Along the lakeside road, one or two hundred metres north of the landing stage (towards Montreux).

(S) From the Villeneuve landing stage, head north and follow the lake on your left along a tarmac path. Take a footbridge to cross a stream. Walk through the Parc des Marines and go round the Villeneuve swimming pool on the right.

(1) Turn left and walk between a hedge on your left and the railway line on your right. Further on, you’ll reach the lakeside again, with Chillon Castle clearly in view, towered over from high above by the spectacular motorway bridge. Cross two streams in succession and enter the Domaine de Chillon. Walk past the landing stage of the same name and reach the entrance to Chillon Castle.

(2) Continue along the cobbled path which leads uphill towards the road. Just before reaching the road, turn left onto a narrower path which descends back towards the lake, in the direction of Territet and Montreux (signposted). You’ll soon come to a beach: you can either continue along the tarmac path, or head down to the left onto the beach, walk along the lake and rejoin the path at the far end. Pass the Veytaux-Chillon railway station on your right.

(3) It is from the Petit Port du Clos de Chillon (with vineyards on the right) that you can admire the famous view of Chillon Castle and the Dents du Midi (see photo). Further on, cross a stream and take the Quai Ami Chessex.

(4) After the Territet jetty, continue along Quai des Fleurs. Walk past the Montreux Casino and then the Eden Palace. At Place du Marché (the market hall), note the statue of Freddy Mercury on the lake side. Continue along the quay to the Montreux jetty (E).

Simple trainers are sufficient for this easy walk, which takes place entirely on tarmac paths or lanes.

Public toilets are available near the landing stages and Chillon Castle. Drinks and light refreshments are available at the foot of Chillon Castle (2) and at Port du Clos de Chillon (3). Shops, bars and restaurants can be found in Villeneuve and Montreux. There is a market on Fridays in Montreux on the quayside near the landing stage.

Arrangements for the return journey:
- It is, of course, possible to walk back to Villeneuve by following the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey. For the round trip on foot, allow 10.5 km and, as there is no incline, double the walking time, i.e. 3 hours in total.
- A pleasant option, and one recommended by the author, is to return by boat (a 25-minute journey). Take the “Tour du Haut Lac” line in the direction of Vevey–Saint-Gingolph. In spring 2016, there were five sailings a day and the fare was 10 Swiss francs per person. For exact timetables, check the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN) website.

If you wish to combine this walk with a visit to Chillon Castle, bear in mind that the visit easily takes an hour and a half or more. Consequently, if you wish to stay within the four-hour parking limit in Villeneuve, the timing is very tight if you choose to return by boat, but it is impossible if you choose to walk back.

This walk poses no problems in terms of finding your way, as you’ll be walking as close to the lake as possible throughout. It is, however, signposted (albeit sparingly), with two types of markings alternating:
- A hiker’s silhouette in the centre of a yellow arrow.
- The words ‘Tourisme pédestre’ (Hiking) written inside a Yellow Diamond.
A detailed map isn’t very heavy (make sure you have at least the one accompanying this description).

Walk undertaken by the author on 29 April 2016.

Throughout the route, there are stunning panoramic views of Lake Geneva, the peaks of the Chablais (Mémises, Borée, Oche, etc.) and the Dents du Midi.

Chillon Castle (13th century) (2),a fortified castle built on a rock overlooking the lake, is a major heritage site. It is open all year round, except on 25 December and 1 January. Opening times (which vary according to the season), admission prices and historical and cultural information can be found on the official Chillon Castle website.

In Montreux:
- Stately homes and grand hotels, between (3) and (E).
- Quai des Fleurs, which certainly lives up to its name, from (4).
- On the Quai at the Place du Marché, the statue of Freddie Mercury (1946–1991), lead singer of the band Queen, who lived in Montreux for many years.
Since 1967, the town of Montreux has hosted a world-renowned jazz festival. In 1971, the fire at the casino during Frank Zappa’s concert inspired the rock band Deep Purple to write their hit‘Smoke on the Water’.