Hiking holidays la Gruyère & Saanenland

Today, you’ll hike down to the Lac de Montsalvens reservoir, with its suspension bridge and majestic arch dam. Next, the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc offers opportunities to try some tempting tid-bits. Later, you’ll visit the Notre-Dame des Marches pilgrimage church, which affords a stunning view of Moléson.

From there, you cross the Saane river on the covered Châtelet bridge within the protected Les Auges d’Estavannens floodplain area, before ascending to the medieval town of Gruyères. A bus ride from Gruyères back to Charmey rounds off the day.

The day begins with a bus ride from Charmey to Jaun village. Once at the foot of the rugged Gastlosen mountains – the climbing hotspot known as the ‘Saanenland Dolomites’ – you’ll hike along panoramic trails via Oberi Bire and Venners Chöpfli down to Mittelberg. From this secluded pass, a commanding view stretches across the Bernese Oberland to the Alps. The route continues across wide slopes to Grossi Vorschess, then down through blossoming alpine meadows to the chalet village of Schönried in the Saanenland.

The first part of today’s stage is a bus journey from Schönried to Gstaad, Wispile, where a cable car will be waiting to take you to Höhi Wispile. From the Berghaus Wispile, you’ll then hike along the Höhi Wispile ridge trail, which offers magnificent views of the Saanenland, Vaud and Bernese Alps.

Before long, you’ll cross the Chrine Pass to the romantic Lauenensee lake. This nature reserve with its moorland meadows is a true haven for aquatic birds. Alpine meadows and waterfalls escort you as you press on to Lauenen near Gstaad. From there, the bus will take you back to Schönried.

Your day commences with a bus journey from Schönried to Lenk. Once there, it’s on to the Leiterli valley station and a cable car ride to Betelberg, Leiterli. The panoramic trail leads from the mountain station through the Gryden’s lunar-like landscape to the Trütlisberg Pass and along meadow slopes on the Heuberg to the romantic Obere Zwitzeregg alp.

As you press on, you’ll surely agree that the moorland area with its small lake at the Rüwlispass is one-of-a-kind! Take in the magnificent Alpine surroundings on the panoramic trail to the Horneggli mountain lodge. From there, it’s another cable car ride down to Schönried.