In Western Switzerland: Admire the autumn colors on these 12 walks

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In October, nature changes its palette. Just before taking off his winter clothes, he repaints his trees and defoliates them. This annual moment of grace is so brief and dazzling that it can take it away from us in the blink of an eye.

To enjoy autumn to the fullest, Swiss Tourism has created a map where you can follow the color change of the trees; as this is highly dependent on altitude, species and temperatures, which sometimes leads to confusion for hikers. Various spots are highlighted from late September to early November, so you don’t miss the opportunity to walk among the orange branches at the best possible time.

Here you will find twelve hiking suggestions in Western Switzerland, where you can observe autumn in a particularly beautiful way. Get ready for the golden carpets to crackle under your feet!

“La Châtaigneraie” training track in Fully

Chestnuts are a gift that trees give us by dropping them to the ground in autumn. Meanwhile, they rule like empresses in the village of Fully, famous for its brisolée and where you can follow a path lined with large chestnut trees. You wander around the forest for an hour and a half, keeping your nose in the air and watching the acrobatic shows of the squirrels. For families who want to turn the walk into a treasure hunt, a fun quiz can be requested from the tourism office.

You can find more information about this activity here.

Chemin of Vallon de Réchy

Along a 15km mountain path, this beautiful five-hour hike takes you through orange wetlands, increasing your chances of encountering wildlife. More suitable for active adults, this trip begins with a short cable car ride from Vercorin to Crêt du Midi before heading towards the mountain lake Louché. Located between Val d’Anniviers and Val d’Hérens, the valley is crossed by many streams and is home to many plant species.

You can find the full route on the Schweizmobil website.

Binntal Nature Park

This easy three-and-a-half-hour hike connects Binntal with the Rhône Valley and stretches for up to 13 kilometers. In the middle of the pine-covered wilderness, the path slalomes through bridges, forests, tunnels and villages and offers a beautiful view of the Binntal Gorge. The road also passes through the village of Grengiols, known for its rare tulips that bloom in spring. In autumn you’re more likely to look for chestnuts than flowers – but they’re just as beautiful.

You can find more information at Valais.ch.

Hiking from La Brévine to Les Verrières

This 17-kilometer walk is ideal for hiking enthusiasts. In approximately four and a half hours, it takes you through very different landscapes and extreme elevation differences. The hills, lakes and meadows shining with the most beautiful colors of the season offer a peaceful walking opportunity suitable for groups.

You can find more information here.

Viti Tour trail in Cressier

In autumn, not only trees but also vines are beautifully decorated. The vines also often have orange trails that offer spectacular views of the lake or valleys. Hiking in Cressier, for example, is easy, and wine lovers can book a guided tour to learn more about local wine.

Go here for more information.

Creux du Van

This beautiful pile of rocks, accessible by car or on foot, is a classic. It appears in a whole new light thanks to seasonal colours, and can be reached via a variety of routes, some easy, some more sporty. The view is unforgettable, especially at sunset. The tour is not suitable for dogs, as the cows in the area (the sweetest) do not particularly appreciate the presence of canine tourists.

You can find more information about the different routes here.

Four days in Doubs

The beauty of the leaves is multiplied by the mirror effect of the river, allowing magnificent photographs to be taken. If you are looking for a few-day tour that you can try during your holiday, this 68-kilometer route may meet your expectations. This easy route, lined with small restaurants, follows the waterway and passes through many medieval villages. In four days it takes you from Les Brenets to Saint-Ursanne and the Doubs Natural Park.

You can find more information about the route and its stages on the My Switzerland website.

Colorful show in the Arboretum

120 hectares of nature, 4,000 plant species, 3,000 species of trees and shrubs: the botanical garden in Vallon d’Aubonne turns into an autumn environment reminiscent of a Pixar movie in autumn. For 10 francs per person you can freely walk along the various paths of the botanical park and forget about the hectic world for a few hours.

All the surprises of this unique place are explained in detail on the official website.

A tour to Lac des Chavonnes

You can easily cover the nine kilometers of this beautiful autumn walk from Bretaye train station to Lac des Chavonnes in three hours. While each step reveals a different nature to us, one impressive perspective follows the other. A restaurant awaits you on the lake shore as a reward for your efforts.

You can find more information about the route here.

Walking through the vineyards in Chexbres

Another beautiful wine route located in Lavaux, running in slalom between the golden tones of the vineyards and the ice blue panorama of the lake. In an hour and a half you can complete, among other things, a beautiful loop from Chexbres via Rivaz and St-Saphorin. We recommend bringing a picnic with you because these types of views are worth your time!

You can find detailed instructions here.

Road on Lake Gruyère

The trees, which look as if they are dipping their feet into the stream, offer an autumn walk between the water and the forest. The entire walk consists of three stages over 43 kilometers, starting from Corbières. However, it is of course possible to choose a single stage to shorten the route. According to the Switzerland Tourism website, there is currently a stall in some places as timber is being cut around the lake.

The stages and route can be viewed on the My Switzerland website.

The historical road of Vully

Caves, vineyards and the summit: this is the program of this hike, which you can start from Sugiez, Môtier or Praz. The route extends over 13 kilometers to Mont Vully (653m above sea level), which is usually completed in two and a half hours. The easy and pleasant route allows you to discover all the beauty of the region and pass, among other things, the Roche Grise caves.

The route and its highlights are listed on the Loisirs.ch website.

Gürbe white waterway

Before exploring this 13-kilometer-long mountain road, you should check the weather forecast: If it rains or storms, some parts cannot be reached! If the weather is nice, you go to Riggisberg; from here the mail bus takes you to Gurnigel Berghaus (unfortunately closed at the moment), the starting point for the view of the Gantrisch mountain range. If you follow small mountain roads, you will also pass caves and gorges. A moderately difficult hike for athletes.

You can find all the information you need on the Schweizmobil website.

Source : Blick