Via Alpina : stage n°18
Route Information
Description
In a gentle descent, the route follows the «La Torneresse» wild stream for several kilometres until the valley narrows at the Gorges du Pissot. This is where the scenery reveals views of the wide valley of the Pays-d’Enhaut. After Châteaux-d’Oex, the trail descends to Rossinière.
The area around L’Etivaz is brimming with Alpine meadows where about 2800 cows are spending the summers. It is also known for its mouth-watering Alpine cheese. In 2000 the “L’Etivaz” cheese was the first Swiss product to be federally registered under the protected designations of origin. The rich Alpine flora lends the milk an especially aromatic taste, which is also reflected in the cheese. The path along, and subsequently above, the Torneresse River meanders through meadows, forests and a particularly charming, longish piece of forest where you follow a boardwalk for a few minutes. Once you reach the Gorges du Pissot and with a final look at the Sarine tributary, the path climbs uphill. That’s too bad, actually, because you don’t see much more of the ravine now. Later on you cross a road and on the path in the area called Les Montées the view across the entire Château d’Oex region and the surrounding mountains opens up. First you cross the meadow, then follow the paved road for a while before turning off to Pont Turrian built in 1883. This is the oldest suspension bridge in the French-speaking part of the country. The bridge spans the Sarine, which leads to Château-d'Oex, the main town of the bucolic holiday region of the Pays d'Enhaut. The trail now alternates between meadows and roads all the way to Chaudanne, where it crosses the Sarine once more. For the last 30 minutes you stroll along a paved road to the charming village of Rossinière, which is famous for its wooden chalets with painted and artfully carved façades.
In a gentle descent, the route follows the «La Torneresse» wild stream for several kilometres until the valley narrows at the Gorges du Pissot. This is where the scenery reveals views of the wide valley of the Pays-d’Enhaut. After Châteaux-d’Oex, the trail descends to Rossinière.
The area around L’Etivaz is brimming with Alpine meadows where about 2800 cows are spending the summers. It is also known for its mouth-watering Alpine cheese. In 2000 the “L’Etivaz” cheese was the first Swiss product to be federally registered under the protected designations of origin. The rich Alpine flora lends the milk an especially aromatic taste, which is also reflected in the cheese. The path along, and subsequently above, the Torneresse River meanders through meadows, forests and a particularly charming, longish piece of forest where you follow a boardwalk for a few minutes. Once you reach the Gorges du Pissot and with a final look at the Sarine tributary, the path climbs uphill. That’s too bad, actually, because you don’t see much more of the ravine now. Later on you cross a road and on the path in the area called Les Montées the view across the entire Château d’Oex region and the surrounding mountains opens up. First you cross the meadow, then follow the paved road for a while before turning off to Pont Turrian built in 1883. This is the oldest suspension bridge in the French-speaking part of the country. The bridge spans the Sarine, which leads to Château-d'Oex, the main town of the bucolic holiday region of the Pays d'Enhaut. The trail now alternates between meadows and roads all the way to Chaudanne, where it crosses the Sarine once more. For the last 30 minutes you stroll along a paved road to the charming village of Rossinière, which is famous for its wooden chalets with painted and artfully carved façades.