Tour des Alpes Vaudoises, Stage 2/8

Setting off from Leysin with views of cyclists and mountain peaks, this leg leads uphill to Les Plans and onwards to a highlight of the tour: the path up to the rock face of the Tour de Famelon, surrounded by vibrant meadows. After that, there are geological structures to admire along the way. The trail leads along the Mont d’Or and onwards to Les Mosses.

The long climb out of Leysin begins directly at Leysin-Feydey railway station. The houses are soon left behind as the hiking trail ascends across open meadows and pastures. After Le Moëllé, the path narrows and continues as a mountain trail into the Vaud Prealps.

Near the Tour de Famelon, the route reaches its highest point at just under 2,000 m. The mountain stands on the ridge between Lac de l’Hongrin and the valleys of Ormont-Dessous and Ormont-Dessus. This is followed by an extended descent, initially across open terrain and later through longer stretches of forest. Broad hiking trails alternate several times with rougher sections of mountain path.

In the final third, the route once again continues through forest and across pastures in a steady succession of ascents and descents. After around 17 kilometres and a good five hours in total, the first houses of Les Mosses come into view. Shortly before the destination, the Le Bivouac inn stands beside the trail. From Les Mosses, it is around 120 metres to the Les Mosses, Col des Mosses bus stop.