Swiss Parks Network
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This trail, proposed by the Parc Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut and the communes of Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, Crésuz, Val-de-Charmey and Jaun, showcases the valley's built heritage and living traditions.
This chapel is also known as Notre-Dame-des-Neiges (our lady of the snow) chapel because according to legend, the Virgin Mary herself chose the spot for this chapel by making snow flakes fall here in August. Built in 1684, the chapel has an octagonal layout and a bell tower overlooking an imperial roof. The capstone of the vaulted ceiling is decorated with the founders' shields: the Castella brothers (Neirivue parish priest), Jean (Broc prior) and Jacques (lieutenant). Their coat of arms are also featured on the 1685 baroque retable.
Nestling on the western slopes of the Vanil Noir, the Cabane de Bounavaux is at the heart of the nature reserve on Fribourg's highest peak. Guarded from late May to early October, it welcomes visitors every day during this period.
Situated in the Morteys valley, the hut is surrounded by the highest peaks in the canton of Fribourg, culminating in the Vanil Noir at 2389 metres.
Having discovered the kingdom of the golden eagle at the foot of Les Dents des Bimis, the path down to Château-d’Œx takes you past several mountain farms where L’Étivaz AOP cheese is made. A superb panoramic view opens out on to the Pays-d’Enhaut.
In the canton of Fribourg there is almost one organised singer for every 35 inhabitants. This exceptional density can be explained by a centuries-old tradition firmly rooted in the region's history.
Although the choral movement has developed in all the Catholic cantons, it is in fact in Fribourg - in a rural society firmly controlled by the clergy - that it has found its best breeding ground. Created in parallel, this choral movement developed independently of the religious context - and sometimes in reaction to it.
The figure of Abbé Joseph Bovet (1879-1951), a sort of Guisan of Fribourg, helped to unite the different sounds of the canton, and his charisma reigned for a long time over the choral life of the whole region.
The 20th century, however, saw the repertoires diversify and the recruitment areas widen, moving away somewhat from the tradition of a parish civilisation, where one sang above all with one's village, in the shadow of the bell tower and to the rhythm of local
Plonge dans l'histoire fascinante du vol humain à travers une exposition interactive dédiée aux pionniers de l'aérostation.
While strolling through the village of Les Avants, check out this small wooden chapel and the triptyque depicting the Virgin Mary and child surrounded by two angels, with the Dent de Jaman mountain as the backdrop.
Cerniat is a typical agricultural mountain village with scattered structures (farms). The village was partially reconstructed at the end of the 19th century : the school and hotel in Heimatstil style (multi-faceted roofs and outdoor mural paintings). The Javroz river flows through the valley which features pastures, forests and several low-land marshes of national importance. For a long time, the forest was the main source of income, its richness evident in Grand Palne-Auta Chia Forest Reserve. Cerniat is an ideal region for hiking and snowshoeing. On the cultural and traditional side, local youth regularly put on plays in the local patois language.
Started in 1661, this symmetric, duplex chalet was completed in 1664. The south façade features rich carved and painted decoration. Finishing work (doors, windows, iron-work, pictorial decoration) followed and was completed in 1670.
Named for the Martin family, who lived here before the village square was established, and went by « Martin de la Place ».
It still has its original kitchen with hearth and open chimney, its wood-beam rooms, as well as a vast cheese cellar. The Etambeau chalet, located at 1000m altitude, was the permanent home of a farmer; a large barn/stable still shelters cows in winter.
In 1976, after the death of the last tenant, this home became the Musée du Vieux Pays-d’Enhaut ; various restorations have returned the building to its original splendor. The museum is open to the public in the summer months when themed exhibitions are organized.
Located in the commune of Jaun, the Chalet du Soldat serves as a guesthouse with half-board options and also offers an à la carte menu. Nestled in the heart of a stunning mountain setting, the chalet is accessible on foot during summer.
This stage of the trail offers an array of pre-alpine landscapes through the Petit Mont and Gros Mont valleys. The final ascent takes you through the Vallon des Morteys. The arrival point, the Les Marindes refuge is the ideal spot to observe wildlife
Nesting in the center of the Jogne valley, Charmey is a subalpine village at about 900 meters elevation. Its population (more than 1800 people) is growing: its location is prized for its high quality of life. Living traditions, beautifully preserved natural landscapes, and sports and cultural activities are abundant. The local economy is tied to agriculture and tourism. On mountaintop pastures and alpine farms, artisan cheese-makers produce Gruyère AOP and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP during the summer months. The cheeses are then transported to the new Tzintre cheese cellars where they are aged. The village is home to several remarkable buildings, which bore witness to the golden age of alpine economy (16th to 18th century.).
This stage of the trail takes in the scenic Breccaschlund (Brecca gorge), home to an incredible variety of wild flora and fauna and offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes, some of which appear in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes
The trail connects the two villages Charmey and Crésuz. It gives the walker a wonderful panorama view of the Jaunbach valley and the valley of Javroz.
This trail, proposed by the Parc Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut and the communes of Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, Crésuz, Val-de-Charmey and Jaun, showcases the valley's built heritage and living traditions.
Use our new smartphone app to explore the Heritage of the Park.
The milk from dairy cows raised on the lush pastures of the Jogne valley is packed full of natural nutrients. So too are the products which are lovingly crafted from it.
The Charmey milk and cheese dairy uses this milk in its two flagship products, the incomparable Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP (protected designation of origin). The craftsman behind these cheeses is Sébastien Piller, who took over the dairy in early 2020.
All production has been transferred from the original facility in the heart of Charmey village to the La Tzintre cheese dairy. The old Charmey milk and cheese dairy has been renovated and is now home to the Pillers’ shop, which is run by Stéphanie, Sébastien’s wife.
Customers can also order cheese platters (with or without cold cuts) from Sébastien and Stéphanie, and hire fondue sets and raclette machines for their special events. The couple hope to launch their online shop in the near future.
Between nature, culture and heritage
Two sides, two languages
Château-d’Œx, with its double calling as a haven of agriculture and tourism, includes the villages and hamlets of Moulins, l’Etivaz, La Lécherette, Gérignoz, and Granges. Architectural gems dot the region: in town a group of marvelous stone buildings constructed after the fire of 1800 and in the rural surroundings superb examples of 17th and 18th century wooden farms. Surrounded by three mountains ranges, the largest municipality in the canton of Vaud is also home to the magnificent Pierreuse Nature Reserve established in 1945 and managed by Pro Natura. The mountainous region gives way to several valleys dominated by high limestone cliffs. The subalpine and alpine vegetation includes remarkable grasslands and marshes.
Chateau-d’Œx offers multiple activities to visitors with its various sports facilities (ice-skating rink, bowling alley, gym, sports hall, pool, campground, ski-lifts) and cultural activities (movie theaters and museums).
From Château-d'Oex, one proceeds along the railway track and the stream, over meadows and pastures, until the village of Les Moulins is reached, where BIO Gruyère cheese is produced.
This stage of the trail runs along the foot of the Gummfluh and its imposing rocky slopes, through La Pierreuse nature reserve and into the L’Etivaz valley. The trail offers panoramic views that stretch from the Pays-d’Enhaut and the Vaud Alps.
In the Jogne valley, at 900 meters altitude, Chatel-sur-Montsalvens enjoys an ideal geographical location, resting on the hillside like a balcony overlooking the valley and man-made lake of the same name. It also has an outstanding view of the Dents Vertes in the direction of Chamey and the Moléson in the direction of Broc. Although agricultural production has been lost in the village, there are still a few typical fribourgeois style farms, now homes and second homes. Along the Cheese Trails toward Gruyères, you can see the ruins of Montsalvens (Broc municipality), a castle dating back to the era of the Counts of Gruyères (13th century).
At Chaudanne Spring, water seems to emerge from the depths of the Earth. Water seeps into the ground on the east slope of the Vanils Range and joins an interminable underground network of subterranean galleries, only to reach the surface after travelling several kilometers underground. Located several meters below the main road (Bulle – Château-d’Œx), the spring is circular in form with a diameter of about 2 meters. It spills into a flooded funnel, which marks the entrance to a subterranean water network.
The Chaudanne is a vauclusienne spring, which means that its water climbs vertically through pressurized subterranean channels before reaching the surface. Rising from a depth of several hundred meters, this site constitutes one of the deepest submerged galleries in the Prealps. The site is made even more special by the fact that it has been explored by speleologist-scuba divers. In 1988, scuba diver Cyrille Brandt reached the depth of -143 m, which was the deepest speleological
Despite the route's dangers and sometimes questionable condition, this path had two big advantages: it was the shortest route between the Pays-d’Enhaut, the Gruyères, and Léman (Lake Geneva), and it was passable almost year-round. It was also an important gateway for the inhabitants of the high valleys who couldn’t live in complete autarky. In the 19th century, however, the route’s roll changed. Tourists in awe of the panorama (and the echo off the Dent de Jaman) replaced cheese-makers little by little. Tour guides of the time often cited Lord Byron: “This view is as beautiful as a dream!”
The pass, impassable by car and still closed to automobile traffic today, can be crossed (other than by foot) thanks to a tunnel built on the MOB (Montreux-Oberland bernois) railway line in 1904. This line remains the main public transportation axis between the Pays-dEnhaut, the Intyamon, and the Lake Geneva region.
Marshy sites and authentic villages.
A legacy of the last ice ages.
Built in 1897, the chapel is an example of neo-gothic architecture. Its decorative murals are of the same origin as it solid oak altar. The Virgin and Child still sit here today, surrounded by Saint Philomène and Saint Elisabeth.
