Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut stretches from the Vaud Prealps to the Fribourg peaks. Spruce forests, lush pastures and typical villages shape the landscape; the places mentioned include Rossinière, Rougemont and Château-d’Œx. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first sort out your travel interests: Would you mainly like to go hiking, experience nature, or discover historic crafts and culture? The region’s highlights offer different points of reference for this.
Hiking trails and alpine nature
A variety of hiking trails lead through spruce forests, across lush pastures and past typical villages, with sweeping views along the way. One specific walk leads to the Turrian Bridge: built in 1883, it crosses the Saane and marks the entrance to the Ramaclé floodplain, known for the beauty of its waterfall. The bridge can be reached on foot from Château-d’Œx.
South of Château-d’Œx lies the Pierreuse nature reserve, an alpine landscape of national importance. Its habitats include rocks, pastures, marshes and spruce forests; its diverse wildlife includes ibex, chamois, eagles and black grouse. At the eastern end of Lake Geneva, the Les Grangettes nature reserve preserves a natural stretch of shoreline with a diverse aquatic and bird population. Rochers-de-Naye reaches an altitude of 2,045 metres and offers views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Culture, architecture and living crafts
The Musée du Pays-d’Enhaut holds an important collection of papercut art and is considered a Swiss centre for this centuries-old tradition. Together with the Centre suisse du Papier découpé, it recreates the atmosphere of historic mountain chalets across around fifteen rooms: visitors can see painted furniture, old tools, bells and skis from an earlier era. Papercutting can also be discovered in Pays-d’Enhaut through exhibitions, workshops and introductory courses. Bobbin lace is another living craft tradition, still shared through demonstrations and workshops.
Another craft can be seen in the so-called tavillons: roofs and façades are covered and clad with individual thin wooden shingles. A few craftspeople still practise this work in Pays-d’Enhaut. Rougemont is known for its historic wooden houses with carved or painted façades. Beneath the gable, you may find the year of construction, often a biblical text, as well as the names of the owner and carpenter. The Grand Chalet, formerly the Grande Maison, was built in 1754 as a two-family house and later became associated with the painter Balthus. He lived and worked there from 1977 until his death in 2001. In Rossinière, visitors can see the Chapelle Balthus, which displays works, mementos and tributes from his circle.
Experiences, cheese and travel planning
It is also worth considering the season when choosing experiences. Balthus’s studio opens its doors in summer, offering a glimpse into his creative workspace. Passenger hot-air balloon flights are available in Pays-d’Enhaut year-round and offer an aerial view of the region. Cross-country skiing takes place on groomed and marked trails, in either classic or skating style.
There are various ways to learn about cheese-making: Le Chalet in Château-d’Œx demonstrates how cheese is made over a wood fire, followed by a tasting. The Maison de l’Étivaz offers cellar tours, insights into cheese-making and a tasting of a cheese whose reputation extends well beyond the country’s borders. The Sentiers du Fromage d’alpage combine an easy hike with explanations from a producer about making cheese over a wood fire. Savurando, meanwhile, combines a playful walk with discoveries, puzzles and tastings.
To get around during your stay, the Pass d’Enhaut provides free public transport travel across an extensive area from your first overnight stay in the region, as well as offers and discounts from local providers. The GoldenPass Express travels from the Vaud Riviera through Pays-d’Enhaut and onwards to Interlaken, passing through Gstaad and Zweisimmen, among other places. For a visit to Château de Chillon, Veytaux-Chillon station is served every hour by regional trains on the S5 line; from there, it is a six-minute walk to the château.
Discover more destinations: Château-D'oex, La Lécherette, L'etivaz, Blonay, Rougemont Vd, Montreux, Jongny, Les Avants, Rossinière, Veytaux, Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Vevey, Caux, Chardonne, La Tour-De-Peilz, Corseaux, Chamby, Chardonne VD.
View the broader travel overview: Vaud.
