Rochers de Naye rises 2042m meters above Lake Geneva and is one of those peaks you absolutely have to visit if you are in the Lake Geneva region.
Offering epic views of the northern end of the lake as well as the Swiss and French Alps, Rocher de Naye is a popular day trip from Montreux. We had it on our radar for years, but living in the Zurich region meant we were not nearby very often.
However, we finally got the chance to ride both the cogwheel train and hike up to the Rochers de Naye peak as well.
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The Top Of Rochers de Naye
No matter how you get to the top of Rochers de Naye mountain you will have 360 views of the surrounding mountains as well as Lake Geneva below. It is one of the most spectacular views in the region owing to the fact that it is the highest point in the area.
Viewing Platform
The first thing you have to do once you reach the top of Rochers de Naye is to hike up the 70m to the viewing platform. This is what you came here for!
You will get a view of the amazing scenery surrounding this area from here, no matter what time of year you are here. There are a few different paths to take up, we chose the easiest one we could find, but either way, you will get to the top.
From the top, you can hike along the ridge to the west, and then back down to the Marmot Paradise.
Marmot Paradise
If you are here with kids, or, if you are like me and you just love cute Marmots, then Marmot Paradise is something you should visit while you are here. You will get a chance to see marmots up close and personal, something that is hard to do in the wild – trust me, I hike a lot and they are always running away and hiding in their burrows!
La Rambertia – Alpine Garden
On a slightly lower point on the other side of the restaurant is the Alpine garden, something else worth checking out on a visit during the summer season on Rochers de Naye. It is a high Alpine garden that is home to a variety of species, half from Switzerland, but others from around the world. It was actually started way back in 1896 by Geneva botanist Henri Corrévon.
Restaurants
There are two restaurants at the top of Rochers de Naye if you want to enjoy a relaxing coffee or beer. Or perhaps a more slow lunch with epic views.
- Fine Fourchette
- Restaurant Rocher de Naye
The Cogwheel Train
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The most common way up to the tip of Rochers de Naye is to ride the historic cogwheel train from Montreux. You take the train from platform 8 in Montreux all the way to the restaurant at the top of the mountain.
You can make a number of stops with the cogwheel train along the way to do various short walks or hikes on Rochers de Naye. We had hiked up, so we only got to do the walk from the restaurant to the very top viewpoint. Something you absolutely have to do.
Cogwheel train information
- Duration: 49 minutes one way
- Cost:
- Adults: 70 CHF return (With Swiss Pass: CHF 26.40)
- Children: 35 CHF return
- Half tax tickers are 50% off
- Open: year-round
- Starting point: Montreux train station
- Parking: Parking de la gare or Parking Montreux
Hiking Up Rochers De Naye
We actually hiked all the way up Rochers de Naye from the Glion above Montreux where we parked our car. This makes the hike a lot shorter, but you miss the Gorge du Chauderon which is apparently worth seeing.
However, just be aware that at the time of writing (end 2022) the gorge is currently closed.
The hike takes between 4-5 hours if you are fit. And that time does not include stops for photos or breaks.
It is part of the Via Alpina, a long-distance hike across Switzerland. Here is more information about the hike:
- Hike Time: 4-5 hours
- Altitude Difference: 1650 meters
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Fitness Level: Medium
- Route: Schweiz Mobil
This is definitely one of the best ways to experience Rochers de Naye from every side. As we climbed up you slowly got a view of the valley below, and then dived into the forest again.
When we stopped for a break about halfway up there was a place to rest and some crazy hang gliders launching themselves into the valley below. I see a lot of paragliders in Switzerland, but I can’t say I have ever seen a hang glider before.
After this rest spot, you re-enter the forest and climb slowly up again. When you leave the forest, the view opens up again and you slowly climb to the ridge.
The last part of the hike is quite steep as you pass over the ridge and then finally down to the train station at the top of the cogwheel train.
Of course, you can also take the train part of the way up and hike from various points along the way. You will definitely get some great views and it will not be nearly as strenuous as our hike up the eastern side of the mountain!
Hiking Options: Some people also park their car Haut de Caux and follow a slightly different route up the west side of Rochers de Naye known as the Panoramic Trail.
Note: header image courtesy of Wikimedia
