Chemin Isenau–Col du Pillon

The winter walk between the Col du Pillon and Isenau offers spectacular views of the Les Diablerets mountains and the peaks surrounding Les Diablerets and passes by Lake Retaud situated in a basin on the south side of the Palette and frozen in winter.

The winter hike, around seven kilometres long, starts directly by the Col-du-Pillon (téléphérique) bus stop. Col du Pillon lies at 1,546 m and connects Les Diablerets in the canton of Vaud with Gsteig bei Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland. From the pass, the route initially leads through open terrain, climbing gently.

After around two kilometres, Lac Retaud comes into view. The winter hiking trail passes close to its shore before continuing uphill across open slopes. Roughly halfway round, the route reaches its highest point near La Palette at around 1,765 m. A little farther on, Resto d’Isneau lies directly on the route.

The trail now turns back. On the return leg, open terrain alternates with longer stretches of forest; the total ascent and descent each amount to around 280 metres. After just over two and a half hours, the circuit ends back at Col du Pillon, a few steps from the bus stop.