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Starting point: Lioson-d'en-Bas car park.
Access: Head towards Col des Mosses via Route 11, which connects Aigle and Château d'Oex. The small access road to the car park is located about 400 metres from the pass, before the pass and on the right when coming from Aigle, after and on the left when coming from Aigle. Then, at all intersections, follow the signs for "Lioson-d'en-Bas" or "Lac Lioson". Pass the Lioson-d'en-Bas farm and continue along the road to the car park, which is the end of the road. It is about 2.1 km from Route 11 to the car park.
There are directional signs at all major intersections. White-red-white markings can be found along the entire route, but please note that these are the general markings for mountain trails in Switzerland and are therefore also used on trails other than the one you are hiking.
This hike was originally proposed as a circular hike, starting at Lake Lioson. Several hikers suggested doing the circular hike in the opposite direction so as to finish at the lake (and enjoy refreshments at the refuge). I therefore decided to reverse the direction of the hike. Below are two descriptions, written in each direction.
Circular in an anti-clockwise direction
(S/E) Head south towards Vers les Lacs. Climb steeply, winding your way through shrubbery. Ford a stream and go through a gate. Continue climbing and ford the stream twice more. Climb more gently, pass a chalet on your right and cross the stream one last time on a footbridge without a railing.
(1) Continue south-southwest and walk along a lake on your right. Climb up a valley, heading south. Higher up, turn sharply left (east). Pass at the foot of rocky outcrops on the right and reach a pass (not named on the map).
(2) Then follow the second path on the right south-southeast towards Pic Chaussy (the first path on the right, which heads southwest before turning back, joins the main marked path further on, but it is steeper). Pass at the foot of scree coming from rocky outcrops on the left. Then follow steep switchbacks to reach the ridge to the right of a small rocky peak.
(3) Turn right (west) and follow the ridge directly to the summit, which is accessed via a gate in a sheep fence. N.B. The marked trail first winds below the ridge on the south side, but it is easy to follow the ridge directly. Nevertheless, be careful of the steep slopes on the north side.
(4) Descend to the unnamed pass by following the same route in reverse.
(2) Turn right and descend the grassy La Chéneau valley towards Lac Lison, which is clearly visible. Make a hairpin turn to the left, then turn right to reach the south-western tip of the lake.
(5) Go through a gate and walk along the lake on your right until you reach the refuge.
(6) Head north and take a forest track towards Lioson d'en Bas. Follow this track, which is quite steep from start to finish, to the car park where you started (S/E).
Circular in the direction of the clock
(S/E) From the car park, continue along the road, turning left onto the forest track (closed to vehicles) towards Lac Lioson. Follow this track, which is steep from start to finish, leading directly to the lake and its refuge.
(6) Then follow the direction of Pic Chaussy and walk along the lake on your left.
(5) Near the south-western tip of the lake, go through a gate and then turn right. Climb up the grassy La Chéneau valley towards Pic Chaussy. Make a hairpin turn to the right and continue climbing to a pass (not named on the map).
(2) Then follow the first path on the left south-southeast towards Pic Chaussy (the second path on the left, which heads southwest before turning back, joins the main marked path further on, but it is steeper). Pass at the foot of scree coming from rocky outcrops on the left. Then follow steep switchbacks to reach the ridge to the right of a small rocky peak.
(3) Turn right (west) and follow the ridge directly to the summit, which is accessed via a gate in a sheep fence. N.B. The marked trail first winds below the ridge on the south side, but it is easy to follow the ridge directly. Nevertheless, be careful of the escarpments on the north side.
(4) Descend to the unnamed pass by following the same route in reverse.
(2) At the pass, take the path on the left (west) that descends towards Vers les Lacs. Pass at the foot of the rocky outcrops on the left, then turn right (north) to descend a valley at the bottom of which are two lakes (one of which is very small). Walk along the larger lake on your left and you will reach a chalet.
(1) Turn left towards the chalet and cross a stream on a footbridge without a railing. Then leave the chalet on your left and follow the path, which descends slightly at first, towards Lioson-d'en-Bas / Col des Mosses. Descend and ford the stream twice. Go through a gate, turn right, cross the stream a third time and descend steeply, winding your way through shrubbery to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
