Glion lies at an altitude of around 700 metres above Lake Geneva, overlooking the lake. When planning your outings, the starting point matters: both the Sentier des Narcisses and the Via Ferrata des Rochers-de-Naye begin at Glion station. The Les Gorges du Chauderon hike, however, starts and finishes at Montreux station. This highlights an important distinction: some activities begin right in Glion, while others pass through the town from Montreux.
Hiking Trails and a Via Ferrata from Glion
The Sentier des Narcisses is a 6.4-kilometre hiking trail where you can discover four fields of daffodils. It begins right at Glion station. The daffodils are visible seasonally; its 6.4-kilometre length and starting point at Glion station distinguish this hike from the other activities in the area.
The Via Ferrata des Rochers-de-Naye also begins at Glion station. It crosses 150 metres of the northwest face of Rochers de Naye. Timing is especially important for the final section: it is closed from 1 May to 1 July during the birds’ breeding season. An alternative exit is listed as a K4-rated variant. If you are considering the via ferrata, check the technical route conditions before taking part and take the seasonal closure into account.
Gorge Hike and Stairway
Les Gorges du Chauderon offers a different landscape from the routes starting at Glion station: the hike follows a shady trail beside spectacular gorges through a wild natural landscape. It runs from Montreux via Glion and Les Planches and back to Montreux. The start and finish are at Montreux station. If you are planning this hike, you can therefore understand Glion as an intermediate stop on the route, rather than mistakenly assuming it starts in Glion.
The Boucle Montreux Gare–Glion running route also starts at Montreux station. It leads through the forest in the heights above Montreux and reaches Glion. The route to Glion follows 1,055 steps; an asphalt path is used for the return journey. Compared with the Chauderon hike, this route focuses on forest and steps, while the other is described in terms of its gorges and shady trail. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their landscapes and itineraries.
Funicular and the History of the Resort
The Territet–Glion funicular takes eight minutes and offers views of Lake Geneva, the Alps and Château de Chillon. Since operating information can change, it is best to check it before travelling. When choosing where to stay, you can sort activities by their actual starting points: the Sentier des Narcisses and the Via Ferrata begin in Glion, while the Les Gorges du Chauderon hike starts at Montreux station.
Glion has been documented since 1693 and developed from a rural farming community into a major 19th-century resort. Its location in Montreux and the Chauderon Gorge helped make it a destination at the time. The development of transport is also part of this history: the Territet–Glion funicular was built in 1883; the Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway was completed between 1892 and 1909. Both developments improved access to Glion and ushered in a golden age of tourism and wellbeing.
Architecture and Cooking Classes
Maison Décotterd is housed in a 19th-century building, the former Hôtel Bellevue in Glion. The establishment offers cooking and pastry-making classes with Chef Décotterd. This adds a culinary option to the area’s hiking and nature experiences. The combination of historic architecture and classes offers another possible focus for a stay, without conflating the character of the different trails.
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