4 Days Itinerary in Vaud Alps Switzerland

Are you looking for a Swiss holiday itinerary in the Alps offering a wide range of activities? Then this 4 days itinerary in the Vaud Alps is the perfect holiday planner for you and includes outdoor sports, authentic villages, culinary highlights, turquoise Swiss mountain lakes and green pastures.

Where are the Vaud Alps in Switzerland?

Not far from Lake Geneva (also called Lac Leman) the Vaud Alps cover a large area of the Western Alps in Switzerland.

They are also referred to as an extension of the Bernese Alps as they reach as far as Gstaad. The Vaud Alps are not the highest mountain peaks in Switzerland, but one can still reach 3000 metres above sea level at the Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets. The highest peak in the region is the summit of Diablerets at 3209m.

The following regions belong to the Vaud Alps; Aigle, Leysin – Les Mosses, Villars – Gryon – Les Diablerets – Bex and Pays-d’Enhaut. Each of these regions offers its own authenticity and special points of interest.

So, let’s discover what this 4 day itinerary in Vaud Alps – Alpes Vaudoises in Switzerland can offer you.

Map of the Regions of the Vaud Alps

The regions covered in the 4 day itinerary are underlined on the map. Furthermore you will find some bonus suggestions in some of the other regions that are well worth the detour or by staying one or two days longer in the beautiful Alpes Vaudoises.

4-Day Vaud Alps Itinerary

In this 4-day Vaud Alps itinerary we will cover the regions Pays-d’Enhaut, Leysin, Les Diablerets and Gryon. You will find what to do, where to sleep and alternative suggestions in case the weather is not on your side.

I have also included the possibility of extending your stay in the Vaud Alps to 5 or even 6 days which will nearly cover the entire Vaud Alps region.

Click on the Map to get full access

Day One – Swiss Vaud Alps Itinerary

Region: Pays-d’Enhaut
Location: Rougemont
Activity: Hiking La Videmanette – 2.5h plus lunch
Overnight: Château d’Œx Hotel de Ville – 3 * about Chf 160.- for a double room / Chf 260.- for a family room

Other activities in the area: Public swimming pool, bowling and leisure centre, Espace Ballon Museum (hot air balloons)

Hiking La Videmanette in Rougemont

(also for non-hikers – restaurant with a panoramic terrace at the top)

Epic views in all directions and meadows covered in a variety of alpine flowers make this a fantastic hike.

In Rougemont take the La Videmanette cable car and enjoy the ride up to 2200 metres above sea level where breathtaking views await.

For non-hikers the restaurant La Videmanette offers a panoramic terrace and serves delicious local dishes, you will not be disappointed.

Hiking la Videmanette rewards you with beautiful views over the entire Vaud Alps, Bernese Alps, Valais peaks and well beyond.  The full circle will take about 2,5 to 3 hours, depending on how many photos you stop to take.

From the restaurant terrace hike along the ridge over on your right and follow the goat path that leads amongst some beautiful alpine flower meadows. You will be walking this circuit anti-clockwise.

Climbing & Via Ferrata La Videmanette
There are also three different levels of Via Ferrata and climbing routes at the Rubli peak right next to the top station. If you do not have your own Via Ferrata gear you can rent it at the bottom cable car station. The recommended minimum age is 10 years old if experienced on Via Ferrata trails.

After lunch make your way down with the cable car and head to Château dŒx where you will stay for the night.

Good to know: There is a free parking at the cable car station. If you arrive by public transport, the cable car station is less than 5 minutes walk from the train station.

NOTE: The la Videmanette cable car is only open during the summer months and usually closed again at the end of August.

Hiking Map La Videmanette

To get full access CLICK on the La Videmanette hiking map

Things to do in Château d’Œx

After your beautiful hike you could go and cool down in the public swimming pool or why not try your hand at 10 pin bowling.

The Espace Ballon – Hot Air balloon museum- is a great place to visit and find out all about the evolution of the hot air balloon and the flight around the world by the Swiss Bertrand Piccard and the Englishman Brian Jones.

Or maybe discover the love and passion of the Pays d’Enhaut farmers and visit the cheese factory in La Maison de L’Etivaz. The tour will give you a great insight and understanding of alp cheese production and the sheer volume of cheese that is produced in one single season. Great tasting platters are served and there is a shop where you can buy the local products and one of the best cheese fondues.

READ MORE A family weekend in Chateau d’Œx

Travel tip & Good to know:

• In Chateau d’Œx walk up to the church from where you will get great views over the village.
• Next to the roundabout at the entry of the village is a large field where, in season, hot air balloons are often taking off. A nice spectacle to see and if you stay at the Maison d’Hôtes Ermitages you can see them from your bedroom window if it faces that direction.
• If you wish to bike to the Ramaclé waterfall, there is a bike rental shop in the village.
• If you are collecting the “Grand Tour of Switzerland” photo spots then don’t miss the one between Rougemont and Château d’Œx right next to the road (check activity map to get the exact location).

Hotel Suggestions in Château d’Œx

Hotel de Ville, situated right in the centre of the charming village Chateau D’Œx. The location is great to easily explore the village before or after dinner.

Below the hotel is a bar/restaurant that served great food. Quite a lively place.

The breakfast was served in the hotel itself, a standard 3* breakfast that will give you plenty of energy to start your day in the Vaud Alps.

Maison d’Hôtes Ermitage, A beautiful set up with spacious family friendly rooms. There is a small play room and an area with some animals. The menu at the hotel is not really child friendly although really nice for adults. We stayed here in 2020, so this may have now changed.

Day two – Swiss Vaud Alps Itinerary

Region: Leysin
Location: Leysin
Activity: Hiking La Gourmet trail
Overnight: Hotel Le Grand Chalet in Leysin.  About Chf 220.- for a double room / Chf 280.- for a family room

After your healthy breakfast in Châetau d’Oex take the scenic route over the mountain to Leysin. (30 km, 45 minutes driving time)

La Gourmet trail in Leysin

A way of hiking that introduces culture and the culinary side of a region. It was great to start a hike knowing that at the first stop a starter will be served, lunch at the second stop, and the reward of the full circle will be the third stop where a delicious dessert awaits.

An experience for the whole family!

Not only will the path lead through beautiful landscapes with a panorama way past the valley floor and into the Valais alps, you will also discover some great refuges and mountain restaurants/alpages. An alpage is a farm establishment normally occupied only during the summer months. It is where the cows, sheep or goats are kept, milked and where cheese is often made. The name ‘alpage cheese’ can only be given if a cheese is made up at the alp.

Some of these alpages also act as restaurants. So, it is always nice to support these small establishments by having your lunch there and getting to know the people running the place.

This experience will take you pretty much the whole day.

You have to book your ticket in advance , so when you turn up at the 3 different restaurants they will be aware of your arrival.

Leysin Hiking Map – Gourmet Trail

To get the full hiking itinerary CLICK on the map below.

Things to do in Leysin

Leysin has many sports camps running all year round and there is a great reason for that. It is well established and can offer a wide variety of sports activities.

You will find a rock climbing wall great for beginners and advanced levels at the upper part of the village.

At the lower part of the village you find tennis courts, a pump track, volleyball field, play area and grill station. It is also here where the professionals train for the “big kicker” and other freestyle skiing training during the summer.

In winter this is a great fun snow tubing place.

Hotel Suggestions in Leysin

Stay at Hotel le Grand Chalet in Leysin. Their cosy, chalet style bedrooms are ideal for a family and the jacuzzi & sauna area on the panoramic terrace ensures a nice and relaxing end to the day.

At the Hotel le Grand Chalet if you opt for half board, the dining restaurant is haute cuisine and a real delight for both the eye and palette.

Read also – Hiking to Lac Lioson

Day three – Swiss Vaud Alps Itinerary

Region: Les Diablerets
Location:Les Diablerets
Activity: Visit Glacier 3000 & Adventure Park
Overnight: Eurotel Victoria 4* Superior about Chf 278.- for a double room / Chf 490.- for a family room

Read our full hotel review  and more about the area

After your breakfast you can enjoy the beautiful drive to Col du Pillon via Gstaad (30km about 35 minutes driving time from Leysin).

Visit Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets

This will definitely be one of your highlights when visiting the Vaud Alps. Not only will you be rewarded with breathtaking views at Glacier 3000, but also with the world’s highest alpine coaster, the world’s only suspension bridge connecting two alpine mountain peaks, and a glacier walk.

Depending on the time of the year you will be visiting the Glacier 3000, some activities advertised may not be available. Therefore please check their website for an up to date activity plan.

If you ask how to get to Glacier 3000, well this is super easy. Just hop on the cable car at Col du Pillon and ride up to Scex Rouge where Glacier 3000 is located.

NOTE: Children under the age of 2 years old are NOT permitted to reach the glacier. It is considered too harmful for their health due to the altitude change.

Tickets to Glacier 3000 and the Activities

A normal adult ticket will cost you Chf 80.- return without any special reductions such as adults SBB ½ fare card, abo general, Swiss travel pass, or the SBB day ticket. Children 2-5 are travelling free of charge, whereas of 6 years old the cost is 50% of the adult ticket.  If the children have a junior travel card they will also travel for free.

You can also get your Glacier 3000 ticket online.

Activities included in return ticket are; Peak Walk by Tissot – Ice Express Chairlift – Fun Park – Glacier Walk (un-guided)

When you arrive at the Glacier 3000 you have so many options on how to spend your time.

Alpine Roller Coaster Sledge Run

Probably the most fun roller coaster ever in the alps. Fast, long with epic views.

You can buy your ticket to Glacier 3000 already with an alpine sledge run included, or you can purchase the run at the top. It is 9.- for one run.

There are different prices for multiple runs. The alpine coaster is so much fun you most probably will do it twice, therefore purchase two runs straight away. This may allow you to stay on the sledge when you arrive back at the start.

The Alpine Coaster is open daily from 09.15 – 16.30 h, subject to weather conditions. The run can be closed due to snow, rain or strong winds.

Good to know: If you are choosing to ride the alpine coaster, check the queue straight away when you arrive, and if there are only a few people make this your first activity.

Often people wait until the end of their visit and it is then when you may be faced with a massive queue.

But you definitely have to ride it. It is so much fun!

The Peak Walk by Tissot Suspension Bridge

This is the world’s only bridge connecting two mountain peaks. When you walk over the bridge it feels like you are walking in the sky. Such a beautiful experience that makes this visit even more special. The bridge is sponsored by Tissot Watches. This is not to be mixed up with the Tissot First Cliff Walk at Grindelwald – First.

Glacier Walk at Glacier 3000

A chairlift will bring you down on to the glacier. Our visit was during the very hot summer of 2022 and this has led to only a small amount of snow on the glacier itself and a lot of melt water which formed little rivers all over. Nice scenery, but not a normal scene at all.

There is a marked hiking trail across the glacier to the other side where the large Quille du Diable, or Tour de St. Martin rises high up into the sky. This is also the border with the Valais Alps. The walk takes about one hour and there is a restaurant on the other side.

If you do not want to hike that long, we suggest you go at least to the #glacier3000 sign, as this will already give you a nice feel of being on the glacier. Do this whilst it is still possible.

Unfortunately, the ice grotto which is normally open for public viewing was closed due to the risk of collapsing caused by the warm temperatures at 3000 metres altitude.

Dining at Glacier 3000

Whether you have a picnic on the large terrace or a nice lunch served at the Botta Restaurant the choice is yours.

Should you choose to treat yourself in the Botta Restaurant make sure you reserve a table with a view.

Things to do in Les Diablerets

Depending on the time you have spent up at Glacier 3000, Les Diablerets offers a great adventure tree park – called Parc des Diables – which might be a great option to finish the day with the family.

Check on the map where to park, and from there it is a 10 minutes walk to the tree rope park.

The park has different levels of routes, even the little family members can show their skills on the kids circuit as of 5 years old.

For the older generation a zip-line route gives you the feeling of flying through the forest.

Picnic places are available on site and if you are planning on spending the day there, you can even plan a BBQ.

NOTE: The park closes at 18:00 BUT they no longer hand out equipment as of 17H00.

Furthermore, you can find tennis courts and a large play area in the village as well.

Hotel Suggestions in Les Diablerets

Get comfortable in the Eurotel Victoria Les Diablerets. The large hotel is perfectly located in the village and offers beautiful mountain views, an indoor swimming pool and large family rooms stylishly furnished with a balcony. We suggest that after your active day, to take a seat in the hotel restaurant where delicious food is served.

We have since this article been back to the Hotel for a winter stay. Read our experience in the Eurotel Victoria Les Diablerets

Day four – Swiss Vaud Alps Itinerary

Region: Villars – Gryon
Location: Frience
Activity: Have a relaxed day at Frience by the lakes
Overnight: If you are extending your stay in the Alpes Vaudoises we recommend to stay at the Villars Lodge – about Chf 182.- for a double room / Chf 242.- for a family room

 Say goodbye to Les Diablerets after breakfast at the Eurotel Victoria Les Diablerets as you will spend your last day of this 4 days Swiss Vaud Alps itinerary in Frience in the region of Villars- Gryon.

A very scenic drive over Col de la Croix will show you once more how incredibly beautiful the Vaud Alps – Alpes Vaudoises are.

At the top of the pass is a large car park with a snack bar. Stop here and have a little walk around and admire the views. (Total driving time 25km about 40 minutes.)

The Recreational Fun Area Frience

In Gryon you will be driving up to the panoramic plateau in the heart of the Alpe des Chaux where you find the free, family friendly Frience.

A man-made swimming area with three pools all with a different depth (0.40 – 0.90 and 2.50 meters) so the whole family can enjoy them and cool down on a hot summer day.

Picnic tables are available around the lakes and umbrellas can be rented at the on-site snackbar. There is even a BBQ station, but before you bring your sausages, make sure to check whether it is permitted to make a fire.

If a picnic is not your cup of tea, you can take a seat at the adjacent Restaurant le Refuge which has a great terrace and delicious local dishes.

Summer Tubing & Airbag at Frience

New activities added to the Frience fun area are the summer tubing and airbag. Although these activities are payable,  the prices are correct. For instance you can pay Chf 20.- per child for a day pass and unlimited access to the 200m tubing run and the airbag jumps.

Well worth the money and the kids will love it.

Good to know: This is also an amazing area during the winter months. The gentle slope is ideal for families with little beginners on their skis or snowboards. A long covered magic carpet will ensure a comfortable ride back up the hill for the next run and the summer tubing turns in to a winter sledge run.

In winter the whole area is free of charge! There is a snack bar where you can purchase snacks and drinks, and rent sledges.

READ more  Villars- Gryon and Frience a family winter paradise

Extending your Vaud Alps Itinerary

If you wish to extend your stay in the Alpes Vaudoises you can add a few more days with the following great activities.

• Hiking to Lioson Lake from Les Mosses : This would be best to add to your time in Leysin. Just add another day at the Hotel le Grand Chalet
• Hiking to The Refuge Solalex in Gryon: You can easily add an extra day whilst visiting Frience in Gryon. Our travel tip would be to spend the night at Solalex.

For more hiking tips and itineraries please do visit the Alpes Vaudoises website direct.

You may also like these activities in the Canton Vaud

• 10 things to do in Montreux Riviera – (in Spring) 
• Hiking along the famous Wine Teracces de Lavaux
• Spring hiking between the Narcissus Flowers- Les Pleiades 
• Ormont-Dessous, Les Mosses – A family Hike to Lac Lioson – Lioson Lake 
• Villars-Grion – Les Diableret-The Perfect Family Winter Resort 
• Château-d’Oex, A family Weekend with Activities

I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when planning a 4 day Itinerary in the Vaud Alps with your family.

If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask in the comments below.  This way other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.

Note: This trip was in cooperation with Alps Vaudoises thank you again! These great collaborations are here for us to describe our experience of the area and/or activity. This way we can also detail the best there is, so you know what to expect when visiting the Alpes Vaudoises in Switzerland.

Thank you & Never Forget to Explore

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