Tour des Alpes Vaudoises, Stage 7/8

The trail links Villars and Gryon, two tradition-rich Vaud Alpine destinations, and leads to the architectural bijou of Alp Taveyanne. In Solalex, views extend across to the huge rock ledges and climbing paradise of L'Argentine.

The hike begins right by Villars-sur-Ollon railway station. The long ascent starts while still in the village; via Arveyes, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail soon climbs between stretches of woodland and open meadows. After just over nine kilometres, the route reaches Taveyanne. It then continues uphill across pastures, reaching its highest point near Le Coin at around 1,850 m. Open slopes characterise the route as far as this point.

The descent begins gently at first, but the trail later becomes narrower and more demanding. A section on the white-red-white-waymarked mountain trail leads down to Solalex. The Café Restaurant de Solalex lies close to the route and is a good place for a break. Woodland and meadows then alternate. The route descends on mostly broad hiking trails, finally passing through the built-up area of Gryon. After 22 kilometres and just under seven hours, the hike ends right by Gryon railway station.