Tour de Mayen
The Tours d'Aï and Mayen are twin peaks visible from afar. The Tour de Mayen is slightly lower than its neighbour, not as busy and provides a more wilderness setting. The climb is progressive with two stages, the Chalets de Mayen and Segray Lake. Just beneath the summit, a very clear view of Lac Léman, les Diablerets, le Chablais, les dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.
Technical sheet No. 4098833
Calculated time: 6h10[?] 
Distance : 13.00 km
Vertical gain : 851 m
Vertical drop : 849 m
Highest point : 2,277 m
Lowest point : 1,478 m 
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area :
Location : 
Today's forecast : 
Description
Park in the rock climbing area's car park, at the upper end of Leysin resort, at the junction between Route des Chamois and Chemin de Prafandaz. Arriving from Aigle by "la route du Col des Mosses" (Mosses pass road).
Yellow indication signs provide direction information and travel times here and there.
(D) Go past a livestock fence and take the small paved road leaving the car park heading north-east, surrounded by meadows. This path, forbidden to motorised vehicles except for those of the alpine livestock farmers, will take you to the Chalets de Mayen. After your first hairpin turn to the left, you'll get to a branch trail: follow the hairpin turn to the right. The slope gets steeper and the trail continues through forest cover. After a hairpin turn to the left, you'll reach a mountain chalet (admire the wooden shingles of the roof).
(1) Keep heading north-east passing under Berneuse cable car cables. The path is a slight uphill stretch, with a few bends and after a large loop to the left, reaches the Chalets de Mayen.
(2) Take the trail heading north-east along the "Buvette de Mayen" fence and head downhill towards Buvette de Mayen Lake ("Lac Segray / Tour de Mayen" sign). Don't walk along the lake bank but uphill just opposite, surrounded by meadows amid small rocks. The path goes steadily uphill on the balcony.
(3) At the fork crossing, leave the trail that starts heading off to the right towards the Tour de Famelon. Make a blunt left turn uphill through grass passing by a wooden cabin. Keep heading west to the tip of a stoney track. Once there, le track steers right due north. Go through the relatively flat stoney track. Then, uphill again, turning left (north-west) reaching a small pass with Segray Lake lying in the background.
(4) Stay at this height and bypass the lake to the left. Follow the trail heading south-east to go round the top of the Tour Mayen. You'll get to another small pass and steer right. The trail continues in proximity to the rocky base, to the right-hand and regularly heads uphill due north-west.
N.B. To the left, the rocky slope leads to rocky ledges overlooking Mayen Lake. The path is at a fair distance (so no danger) and it is advised not to leave it.
The path then steers right and abruptly heads uphill with several twists on gravel. You'll reach the base of a rocky passageway.
(5) The passageway is concealed and equipped with chaines. Head up the passageway using a few easy rock climbing steps. At the end of the passageway, go left, uphill to a sheltered grassy area and promptly reaching the summit. Incidentally, locate the entrance to the passageway pour the way back (a picket is usually used as a landmark).
(6) For the way back, just follow the trail you came on.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1,478 m
1 : km 0.61 - alt. 1,550 m
2 : km 1.88 - alt. 1,706 m
3 : km 4.04 - alt. 1,836 m - Chalets de Mayen
4 : km 4.71 - alt. 1,906 m
5 : km 5.6 - alt. 2,074 m - Lac Segray
6 : km 6.04 - alt. 2,159 m
7 : km 6.42 - alt. 2,260 m - Lac Léman
8 : km 6.5 - alt. 2,264 m - Tour de Mayen
D/A : km 12.99 - alt. 1,478 m
Useful Information
It takes around 3 hours hike, without stops, to get to the top.
Hiking gear and shoes a must.
Water available at the first chalets on the trail and at the Chalets de Mayen.
Basic shelter just after (3). Aux chalets de Mayen (2) : drinks, food, accommodation.
A map is necessary (at least the one found with the current description)
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
Mayen Lake.
Segray Lake which provides a beautiful wilderness setting for a short rest and can be the hike objective in its own right.
Unobstructed panoramic view from the summit: Lac léman, Rhone Valley, Diablerets Massif, Chablais Massif, dents du Midi, Mont Blanc Massif, ...
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
