
Travel diary
Published on 22.05.2025
As spring returns and the sun warms the afternoons, hiking once again becomes a favourite pastime for nature lovers. The Vineyard Trail, winding through the terraced vines of Aigle, Ollon and Bex, is the perfect way to ease back into walking while waiting for the snow to melt in the high Alps.
The old town of Aigle is an ideal starting point for your hike. © Daniela Gouveia
My family and I were looking for a scenic walk that could be adapted to our energy levels as we went. The Vineyard Trail fit the bill perfectly – with several shortcut options and convenient access to public transport throughout the route. From Aigle station, we quickly made our way through the historic town to reach the old village and its majestic castle. The trail starts out flat before climbing (thankfully in the shade!) towards Verschiez. Along the way, we crossed paths with the charming ASD train (Aigle–Sépey–Les Diablerets), whose journey offers picture-perfect views.
Château d'Aigle stands amidst the vines © S.Berger
A final push brought us to the Sentier de Provence – and suddenly the pine-scented air transported us far from the Alpes Vaudoises. The landscape turned dry and sun-drenched, evoking a hint of southern France, all while the Dents du Midi stood proudly on the horizon. We soon arrived in Ollon and were enchanted by its traditional winegrowers' houses and cobbled alleyways. We couldn’t resist a stop at Domaine du Trécord for a refreshing glass of Chasselas.
The village of Ollon glistening with light, with the Dents du Midi in the background © Visualps
With the first third of the hike behind us, we set off again. More wine cellars may well be waiting around the next bend… After winding through vineyards scattered around the village of Ollon, we reached a shadier, wooded area. The contrasts in scenery became striking, with the path turning earthy underfoot. Spring was in full bloom and the fresh air was invigorating. Soon, the small village of Antagnes appeared in the distance, and the trail once again opened up to sunlit vines. The village fountains were a welcome surprise – perfect for refilling our water bottles!
The trail is very well signposted all along the way © Olivier Fatzer
After catching our breath, we began a gentle descent toward Le Bouillet, home to the famous Bex Salt Mines. It had been over three hours (not counting breaks) since we’d set off from Aigle, and our legs were starting to feel the effort. We decided to finish our journey by following the Gryonne River to Bex. We’ll save exploring the Bex vineyards for another day. Bex station marked the end of our wonderful family outing.
Vineyards, vineyards and more vineyards! © Visualps.ch
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