Tour de la Tête de la Minaude
Route Information
Description
Discover the mystery of the legendary landslide that turned the largest nature reserve in the French-speaking part of Switzerland into a rocky area!
Before, the Pierreuse was filled with large green and fat meadows and two towers made of rocks. But according to the legend, Pierre, the boy from the Chalet de la Verda, wanted to get the secret of the treasures of the mountain "Rubli" from the fairies with the intention of seducing a beautiful Burgundian woman. In the rolling of the stones and the anger of the betrayed fairies, Pierre and the most beautiful pasture in the valley disappeared... Only one of the two needles remained in place. On the way up along the Gérine river, you can progressively see the imposing Gummfluh, an emblematic mountain of the region! At its foot is a small mountain chalet called "Les Leysalets". If smoke comes out of the chimney, it is because the cheese maker is heating milk in the large copper cauldron to transform it into Etivaz AOP cheese! Once you have passed the cows' pasture, continue your hike in the Pierreuse forest. After a few metres, you will come face to face with a large rock set with a commemorative plaque! In 1945, the nature reserve was created with a donation from Mr. Aurèle Sandoz to the Commune of Château-d'Œx with the objective of returning the pastures to nature. After a gourmet break at the Chalet de la Pierreuse, finish your climb! With a bit of luck, you will be able to hear the whistling of marmots or see a colony of chamois or ibexes playing a balancing act in the rocks! From the summit, go back down to the Plâne pasture. If you look hard between the fir trees, you will discover the small fairy-tale lake of the Gour de la Plâne. This tiny lake is the source of the Gérine river. Admire it in silence so as not to disturb the tranquillity of the "fayes", the fairies of the mountain lakes.
Practical Information
RECOMMENDATIONS: - accessible for good walkers. - dogs are not allowed. PARKING & TRANSPORT: - large free car park in the centre of the village of Gérignoz. - 5 gravel places are available free of charge at the entrance of the nature reserve. - access by train with the MOB line (stop "Château-d'Œx - les Granges"). RESTAURATION: - possibility to picnic at the Chalet de la Pierreuse (table available).
Discover the mystery of the legendary landslide that turned the largest nature reserve in the French-speaking part of Switzerland into a rocky area!
Before, the Pierreuse was filled with large green and fat meadows and two towers made of rocks. But according to the legend, Pierre, the boy from the Chalet de la Verda, wanted to get the secret of the treasures of the mountain "Rubli" from the fairies with the intention of seducing a beautiful Burgundian woman. In the rolling of the stones and the anger of the betrayed fairies, Pierre and the most beautiful pasture in the valley disappeared... Only one of the two needles remained in place. On the way up along the Gérine river, you can progressively see the imposing Gummfluh, an emblematic mountain of the region! At its foot is a small mountain chalet called "Les Leysalets". If smoke comes out of the chimney, it is because the cheese maker is heating milk in the large copper cauldron to transform it into Etivaz AOP cheese! Once you have passed the cows' pasture, continue your hike in the Pierreuse forest. After a few metres, you will come face to face with a large rock set with a commemorative plaque! In 1945, the nature reserve was created with a donation from Mr. Aurèle Sandoz to the Commune of Château-d'Œx with the objective of returning the pastures to nature. After a gourmet break at the Chalet de la Pierreuse, finish your climb! With a bit of luck, you will be able to hear the whistling of marmots or see a colony of chamois or ibexes playing a balancing act in the rocks! From the summit, go back down to the Plâne pasture. If you look hard between the fir trees, you will discover the small fairy-tale lake of the Gour de la Plâne. This tiny lake is the source of the Gérine river. Admire it in silence so as not to disturb the tranquillity of the "fayes", the fairies of the mountain lakes.
Practical Information
RECOMMENDATIONS: - accessible for good walkers. - dogs are not allowed. PARKING & TRANSPORT: - large free car park in the centre of the village of Gérignoz. - 5 gravel places are available free of charge at the entrance of the nature reserve. - access by train with the MOB line (stop "Château-d'Œx - les Granges"). RESTAURATION: - possibility to picnic at the Chalet de la Pierreuse (table available).