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Around the Vaudoise Alps

An invigorating landscape above Lake Geneva

The Vaudoise Alps rise abruptly from the Rhône Valley south of Lake Geneva to reach impressive heights. With a classic alpine landscape of jagged snow-capped peaks, wide green valleys and wooded ridges, the Vaudoise are dotted with small traditional villages nestling amid some of Switzerland’s most spectacular scenery. Linked by cable cars, cog railways and pleasant waymarked walking routes, this is an idyllic region in which to enjoy exhilarating walking in the high Alps while staying at typically traditional and hospitable chalet hotels.

Nights: 7
Grade: 2-3
Terrain: broad ridges, meadows, mountain paths
Hotels: one 2-star hotel; two 3-star hotels; one 4-star hotel
Meals: breakfast every day, plus 6 dinners
Climate: summers here are warm and sunny, with pleasant mountain breezes. Temperatures average 17°C in June, 19°C in July and August, and 15.5°C in September.

High, sunny slopes

Lake Retaud

Cascade du Dar waterfall

View from Les Diablerets cable car

Hotel La Renardière, Villars

Near Villars

Starting point: Le Grand Chalet (3*), Leysin. Set high above the vines of the Ormonts Valley, this hotel's panoramic terrace boasts - according to your hosts, the Bonelli family - “the best views in Switzerland”. The same view is enjoyed from many of the bedrooms.

Day 1: for your first day, we recommend a circuit that zigzags up through woodland and pastures to La Riondaz for wide-reaching views, before meandering down a wooded ridge via La Grande Crevasse, an impressive cleft in the rock which affords fabulous views towards Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). (9km, 4.5hrs)

Accommodation: Le Grand Chalet, as above.

Day 2: today's walk passes two clear-blue mountain lakes and follows the Crête du Fer ('Iron Ridge') to the small hamlet of Les Mosses. To get to the first lake at 1,890 metres you have a choice of taking the lift (pay locally) or making the strenuous ascent on foot. (14km, 4.5hrs or 17km, 6hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel-Restaurant du Chaussy (2*), Les Mosses. Family-run, this is a small, welcoming restaurant with simple, yet comfortable en-suite rooms. Your stay here is on a bed and breakfast basis so that you are free to take your pick of the restaurant's various menus.

Day 3: from Les Mosses, paths link a series of ancient hamlets nestling beneath the Mont d'Or Massif. Your destination is Les Diablerets, where you catch your first real glimpse of the mighty glacier rising up at the end of the valley. (15km, 5.5hrs)

Accommodation: Hostellerie Les Sources (3*), Les Diablerets. Situated on the outskirts of the village, this comfortable hotel is located by a stream in peaceful gardens. You will find a warm welcome and a cosy bar in which to relax.

Day 4: you may wish to spend your day in Les Diablerets visiting the famous Glacier 3000 for a truly impressive view over the alpine range. A wide range of activities are available on the glacier. Alternatively, we suggest a walk that rises steadily through flower-filled pastures to the Andérets Pass (2,030 metres), returning to Les Diablerets via picturesque Lake Retaud and the dramatic Cascade du Dar waterfall. You can shorten the walk by making use of the lift. (18km, 7.5hrs)

Accommodation: Hostellerie Les Sources, as above.

Day 5: this is a delightful, varied walk past a couple of beautiful lakes, with the option of ascending to the summit of le Chamossaire, from where the views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and the Jungfrau-Eiger massif are truly awe-inspiring. (19km, 8hrs or 17km, 6hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel La Renardière (4*), Villars. Villars is a chic village, and your hotel here is fittingly smart and beautifully furnished. The standard of service is exceptional, and there is plenty of space to unwind in the lounge or on the sun terrace.

Day 6: Villars is the perfect base for hours of long summer walks, made all the more easy with the included local Freedom Pass that allows free use of some local cable cars, bus and train services. Our suggested route (which you can shorten by taking the train and/or a lift) leads uphill for a beautiful section along a little-used path well above the valley floor to the village of Solalex, from where you can ascend to Anzeinde (1,876 metres) for thrilling views that will serve as a fitting reminder of your stay in the Vaudoise Alps. (18km, 9.5hrs or 13km, 7hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel La Renardière, as above.

Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.

Recommendations for extra nights: Hostellerie Les Sources (Les Diablerets) or Hotel La Renardière (Villars) for extra walking.

Take the Train and break your journey for a night in Paris on the way, staying at one of our favourite Parisian hotels. Read about the experiences of one traveller in her personal travel diary.

Combine routes: for a thrilling two-week Alpine Experience combine our Chablais Alps walk in France with this walk.

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

Similar holidays: Lake Lucerne (grade 2), The Leutasch Valley (grade 2), Towards the Matterhorn (grades 2 & 3), Villages of the Engadine (grades 2 & 3), The High Dolomites (grades 2 & 3), The Bernese Oberland (grades 2 & 3)

Prices & travel

Recommended destination airport: Geneva
Latest flight arrival time: 1630
Earliest flight departure time: 1130
*Connecting travel: return rail/bus from Geneva airport (out 1h55/home 2h25) £63pp
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By rail includes: Eurostar /TGV/regional rail via Paris & Lausanne (out)/Geneva (back) (out dep St Pancras 0832/home dep Villars-sur-Ollon 0955); upgrade to 1st class rail £180pp. Please note that a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made
Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais
Start: any day

Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):

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