Lake Geneva Region
This is a circular route starting and returning in Aigle taking you on a fantastic hiking trip in the mountains above Lake Geneva. The route leads through gentle alpine pastures past peacefully grazing cows to the snow-capped Glacier 3000 above Les Diablerets. This region is well known for its cheese and wine – it should therefore be a must to at least try the cheese or even visit a local cheese factory and sip a glass of wine along the route The views and countryside around you will vary from day to day, ranging from the dazzling waters of Lake Geneva, over the French ‘Dents du Midi’ to the ice capped top of the glacier, you might be tempted to explore the caves near L’Etivaz or the salt mines in Bex.
Day 1 – Aigle to Leysin: From the vineyards to the 'terrace' of the Alps of Lake Geneva with fantastic views of the Dents du Midi and Lake Geneva itself.
At the end of your trip today you have the chance to visit to the revolving restaurant 'Le Kuklos', which is a short cable car ride from Leysin.
Today’s hike is about 3 hours.
Day 2 - Leysin to Les Mosses: This section is an enjoyable low level walk which will take around 3 hours, giving you the chance to learn about cheese making in an alpine dairy along your route.
Today’s hike is about 3.5 hours.
Day 3 - Les Mosses to Château d'Oex: Today offers a reasonably easy walk which will allow ample of opportunity to stop along the way, on reaching the mountain resort of Château d’Oex also known as the European ballooning capital, take some time to explore as Château d’Oex has retained all the charm and character of its rural heritage with spectacular scenery.
Today’s hike is about 4 hours.
Day 4 - Château d'Oex - L'Etivaz: The walking now becomes more strenuous even though in distance it is similar to the previous days; the altitude difference covered is higher. In L'Etivaz you have the possibility of visiting the 'Caves of L'Etivaz', the famous cheese cellars.
Today’s hike is about 4.5 hours.
Day 5 - L'Etivaz to Les Diablerets: This is the most strenuous part of this hiking tour, you will hike on alpine trails past massifs and glaciers to reach the small village of Les Diablerets situated at the foot of Glacier 3000, significant altitude differences are to be covered today to reach your destination, on finishing this section I would recommend visiting the top of Glacier 3000 by cable car.
Today’s hike is about 7.5 hours.
Day 6 - Les Diablerets to Villars: Today is another strenuous day taking the best part of the day to cover the distance from Les Diablerets to Villars, the altitude difference is not quite as high today but the distance is longer. Villars is a beautiful resort located in the heart of the Alps occupying a privileged position high above the Rhone Valley, with superb views towards the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc Massif.
Today’s hike is about 6 hours.
Day 7 - Villars to Gryon: Your route today is marked by gentle alpine pastures and green valleys taking you into Gryon.
Today’s hike is about 5 hours.
Day 8 - Gryon to Aigle: I would recommend walking back by the way of Bex to take time to visit the salt mines, on leaving Bex you make your way back to Aigle, an easy days walking, in Aigle you will exchange the quieter mountain resorts for a bustling little town.
Today’s hike is about 5 hours.
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