4-day Hiking and Wine Tasting Tour around Lake Geneva, Switzerland
5.0
(5)
Join UIMLA mountain guide, Matthew, on this private tour of Lake Geneva's picturesque villages. Sip local wines and explore the Swiss history and culture as you hike around the lake.
Private
Alps
4 Days
Apr - Jun, Sep, Oct
Intermediate
Highlights
- Enjoy stunning views as you hike leisurely around Lake Geneva.
- Sip local wines and savor regional cuisine.
- All tours are fully customizable.
Description
There are many things to discover all around Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman. One can explore cozy villages with rolling green hills and enjoy views of the snow-capped Alps, majestic castles, gorges, and vineyards.
Join me on this private, fully customizable tour and visit the best sites around Lake Geneva. The walks can be more leisurely or challenging depending on your group’s preferences. With so much to see, any route we take is sure to be interesting.
Every day, we will taste a different local wine, on a picnic or at the end of the day. You will discover the unique Chasselas varietal, which you will find nowhere else in the world, as well as other grape types developed on the shores of the Leman (Lake Geneva).
This tour is ideal for people of all ages who enjoy being active and are curious about the local cultural and gastronomic traditions around Lake Geneva. This tour is an active yet relaxing way to discover Lake Geneva.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Lake Geneva is in the early summer or fall. This way, you’ll avoid the peak summer season and its high temperatures. Regardless of when you come, I hope you’ll make some fond memories as you hike along the shore!
I would be pleased to be your guide. Get in touch with me to start planning your tour today! You can also visit my profile to see the other tours I offer in the area.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- The price includes the guiding fee and a local wine tasting (1 bottle for a group of 4) after every day of hiking, either back at your base (hotel or B&B) or at an outdoor location in the mountains. On day 4 (or whenever the trip to Diablerets is planned), the price includes the drive up to the start of the hike (for a group of 4); if the group is larger, the cost of a hired van is not included.
- Poles for occasional steep hiking sections are provided for free so that you don't have to bring them along with you. Please check with the guide beforehand for additional equipment if you need any.
- When staying at a hotel or B&B in the Lavaux area, you will have free transportation on public transports between LausanneVevey-Montreux-Villeneuve using the Lavaux Guest Card provided by your hotel/lodger.
- Accommodation, food, and beverages during the stay, transportation from and to airports, and additional fees such as public transportation (trains, cable cars) or museums are not included.
- Average train fees amount to 80 CHF per person for all trains during the 4 days, unless we must go further than planned due to programme modification in case of bad weather at the planned location.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1
LAVAUX UNESCO VINEYARDS. From Cully to Cully, round trip. Straight from your hotel or B&B, walk from village to village through the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage vineyards. Ideal to discover your surroundings for the 4 days, or as an easy day. Lunch at a local small café, with a vast choice of sandwiches, soups or light menus. Local wine at the end of the walk. Please note: if you are not staying in Cully, but in another location not far away (Vevey, Montreux, Lausanne), we would probably first catch a train from your location to reach Cully and do the walk through the vineyard.
Day 2: Day 2
ROCHERS DE NAYE SUMMIT. We catch a train to the top of Rochers de Naye (good weather only) and then walk to the summit proper, up to to 2000m. If weather allows, picnic close to the summit. Afternoon walk down to Hauts-de-Caux, a spectacular itinerary down the mountain, with some steep sections. Good shoes required. The guide can provide free poles for today. Train back to the old town of Montreux, walk through the typical cobbled streets, followed by train back to Cully. Another local wine today at the end of the walk!
Day 3: Day 3
MEDIEVAL DISCOVERY WALK. Train trip to Bretonnières, a small agricultural village and walk to medieval Abbey (Cluny style and period) of Romainmôtiers. Mushroom hunt in autumn. Visit abbey and « Maison du Prieur » (13th century building), an exceptional building unique in Switzerland. Light lunch in 17 th century café. Afternoon hike down to the Nozon River, soothing and calm, lots of flowers in spring. Light lunch at Maison du Prieur. A tasting of another local wine in the park of a medieval castle. Return to Cully by train.
Day 4: Day 4
UP TO THE DEVIL’S VILLAGE AND MOUNTAIN HIKE. Train to Aigle where you meet your guide. Drive up to Diablerets mountain resort. Then drive to splendid Lac Retaud and walk around the Palette peak, spectacular views over the high limestone Alps. Picnic in the mountains. Drive down to the Rhône valley and stop for a final wine tasting near the castle of Aigle. Fairwell and return to Cully by train.
Details
More info
Groups of up to 4 people are welcome. Every day can be adapted to the group's desires and will also be adjusted depending on the weather. You can also make special requests.
FAQs
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Average distance is between 7 and 12 kilometers (5 - 8 miles) and between 200 and 400 meters altitude gain (650 - 1350 feet).
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
You need to be used to walking regularly for a whole day (but not a long day). Some days we walk on mountain paths with some steep sections on gravel or stones or tree roots, so experience in hiking is recommended but not compulsory if you are reasonably fit and agile.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
We get to the start and end of the hikes using local trains usually and on one occasion using car.
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
You will need to organize your own accommodation and dinners, but before coming over I can give you precious suggestions. Usually we have lunch (not included in price) at small restaurants indoors during the hike, and on 2 occasions we buy a picnic (not included in price) to eat outdoors in the mountains.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Personal insurance is compulsory.
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
Spring and Autumn.
Can I join a group?
These tours are for groups (max 4) that are coming together for the 4 days. So usually, no you cannot join a group.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
As always in the mountains or for any outdoor activity we cannot always do what is planned if the weather turns bad. We try to arrange some other options, for example one half day walking and the second half visiting an interesting place (monastery, museum, castle, chocolate fabric, medieval town, beer venue, etc..). However until now it has NEVER happened !
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Matthew
5.0
(5)
Mountain Leader
I am a trained International Mountain Leader with international certification (UIMLA) and also swiss Federal authorisation. I enjoy taking my clients to places that are not necessarily the most famous but are very rewarding and out of the usual paths! I am very fond of the Jura range, especially in winter, with snowshoes! I also love the Prealp peaks in autumn and summer, and the higher Alps range at the end of summer when we can go really HIGH (because the snow is gone). I am fond of 2 day hikes or longer hikes, and also short assignments, such as half days or evenings. I am also a keen wine enthusiast (I am a certified Lavaux UNESCO guide), and I enjoy taking my clients out and tasting a good wine with typical swiss food after the hikes. If you're into learning about European history, hiking the hills and discovering old castles and forgotten passage-ways, then you're in good hands, because I'm really passionate about the cultural aspects of mountain and hill hiking. Get in touch with me to plan your adventure!
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
What people are saying about this trip
Mike
This was a magical four days of hiking spectacularly beautiful sites along the north shore of Lake Geneva. We felt simultaneously challenged and yet well taken care of throughout. Matthew was personable, knowledgeable, patient and flexible, and we enjoyed his company very much.
Lorraine
This was a wonderful experience. Matthew was worth his weight in gold. The walks were well thought-out and Matthew adjusted “on the fly” to suit our abilities. We saw amazing places we’d never have known about otherwise. We did Four one-day walks - Vinyards around Cully, Rocher de Naye, forests, river, waterfall and monestary, the mountains above Les Diablerts Matthew is endlessly knowledgeable on the geology, history, culture and wines of the area. He’s also great fun!! Our walks included wine (and chocolate) tastings each day, sampling from the finest wines of the local area made from types of grape we were previously unaware of such as Chasselas and Plant Robert. I loved every minute of it and can’t recommend Matthew highly enough.
Linda
Our guide, Mathew, was excellent. Knowledgeable, professional, organized, and fun! We felt like we were traveling with a friend. Besides all the great hikes in vineyards, forests and mountains, there were always little surprises like a self-serve wine kiosk, a visit with a vintner as he was pressing grapes in his home, and finding exotic mushrooms along our walks. We highly recommend this tour to anyone who would enjoy variety in an outdoor experience in a lesser known area of Switzerland.
Ryan
We had a weeklong tour with Matthew in 2017 and of all the trips we have made, hiking and otherwise, this was the best. Matthew found beautiful and varied types of hikes for each day, and the restaurants and vineyards he found were superb. His knowledge of the wine and geography is deep and he has a wonderful sense of humor. The trip was a joy from beginning to end.
Harry
Matthew is one of the best...knowledgable, personable, very aware of clients abilities and interests. This is an all-time favorite trip...
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