Château de Chillon walks

A classic destination in the region offering magnificent views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. The route is particularly recommended in spring and autumn. In summer, this largely shaded route limits excessive exposure to the sun. The hike is ideal for family activities, including a visit to the AstroPléiades educational site.

A beautiful hike in the Vaud Alps. The scenery along this route is very varied. You’ll discover the Tours d’Aï, Mayen and Famelon. From the Col de la Pierre du Moëllé, you’ll enjoy a view of Lake Hongrin.Along the route, there are numerous vantage points offering views of the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

This first stage will take you from Leysin, at the foot of the famous Aï, Mayen and Famelon towers, to the Col des Mosses. From the Col de la Pierre du Moëllé, you can enjoy a view of Lake Hongrin. Along the route, there are numerous panoramic viewpoints over the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

Itinéraire de la traversée des Alpes. Etape des rives du lac Léman au Val d'Abondance. Franchir les montagnes du Chablais par une longue grimpette de 1850m en traversant les alpages pour passer le Col de Bise puis redescendre à la station de ski de la Chapelle d'Abondance. Cet itinéraire offre de très beaux panoramas sur le plus grand lac d'Europe et sur le sommet des Cornettes de Bise.

The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) mainly follows the GR®5, with a few possible variations such as the crossing of the Haute Vanoise via the GR®55 and the Via Alpina, which this route takes instead of the GR®5 route via the Col de l’Iseran. It crosses the French Alps from north to south, from Saint-Gingolph to Nice. The guide includes web links to the many accommodation options along the route or nearby: mountain huts, lodges, campsites, cabins and shelters, excluding hotels. Although this guidebook details the GTA as a three-week trek, it can be adapted to suit your own pace, with stages of varying lengths, either completed in one go or in sections over several years. This journey, fuelled by the joy of freedom in unspoilt natural surroundings, will remain a superb and unforgettable experience, offering, moreover, the opportunity to meet many people with whom you can share this same passion for the mountains.

This first stage of the Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA), from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, takes place in the Chablais massif. The path climbs up the Novel valley on the left bank of the Morge, below the hamlet of La Meurtaz, then follows the D30 road, which it overlooks after the hamlet of Jordy. On leaving Novel, the path winds its way above the hairpin bends of the D30 to La Planche. There, it leaves the main valley route to climb due south towards the chalets of Neuteu and on to the Col de Bise, before descending to the Chalets de Bise.

This last stage will take you to the shores of Lake Geneva in Vevey. From Les Paccots, a forest trail will lead you to the Fégire footbridge, where the Veveyse de Fégire marks the border between the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud. When you arrive at Laly and from the Pléiades trail, you can admire Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alpine peaks. You will pass through a few vineyards before arriving in Vevey.

A beautiful walk through the vineyards of Lavaux, discovering the different appellations. Lovely views of the lake and the Alps. Local wines can be tasted throughout the hike. N.B. Contrary to what is automatically indicated on the hike information sheet, the Lavaux terraces are located in the canton of Vaud and not in Valais.

This second stage will take you from the Col des Mosses to the renowned resort of Les Diablerets. The Aï, Mayen and Famelon towers will accompany you for much of the way and you will see them from different angles. The route also offers numerous panoramic views of the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

This second stage continues the traverse of the Chablais. The route winds through the beautiful Abondance valley amidst magnificent, tranquil scenery. From the Chalet de Bise, there is a steep climb up to the Pas de la Bosse. From the pass, the path descends to the chalets of Chevenne, then follows the Sechet stream, continuing the descent along the right bank to the Chapelle d’Abondance. It runs alongside the Thoules stream and then the Dranse, which it leaves at the hamlet of Le Moulin, before climbing towards Sur Bayard to the Chalet des Crottes. From there, it is best to leave the main GR®5 route and, via a western path, follow the detour leading to the Refuge de Trébentaz, as the Refuge de la Haute Bise – shown on the IGN map – no longer offers accommodation.