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The Cheese Trail - Hiking Route - La Gruyère

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Hiking Route

The Cheese Trail

Hiking Route · La Gruyère
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Today’s loop walk takes you from Gruyères to Moléson-sur-Gruyères Alpine Cheese Dairy.  Starting and finishing at La Maison du Gruyères, you will have ample opportunity to learn about the art of traditional cheese making.
moderate
Distance 12.2 km
4:00 h
715 m
715 m
1,233 m
749 m
Follow paths through Gruyère’s lush green pastures, passing herds of Swiss cows and traditional alpine chalets with shingle roofs.  Arriving at Moléson-sur-Gruyères, if you are early enough, watch cheese being made as it was in the 17th century (demonstrations at 10am), over a wood fire in a typical Alpine hut. If you don’t make it in time for the demonstration, you can still visit the hut and have lunch there if you have worked up an appetite! Head back to Gruyères on foot, or catch a bus if you prefer.

Author’s recommendation

It may sound like a cliche, but this is the cheese trail, make sure you try some cheese and perhaps pick some up to enjoy over the next few days!
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,233 m
Lowest point
749 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Safety information

The weather can change rapidly in the Alps, always check the forecast before you start the days hiking and pack appropriately. If the weather is too rough, do not begin the trek.

Some of the ground can be uneven, with rocky/pebbly paths and even ice. Ensure you have suitable footwear with ankle support, and step cautiously when needed. 

Some of the gates are cattle deterrents and are electrified, be sure to use the plastic handles and reattach the cable to the housing when you pass through, they are 12 volts, so not dangerous but very unpleasant.

Be careful on the road crossings and walk against the direction of traffic when there is no sidewalk.

Tips and hints

Food and Drink

You can get some lunch, and obviously some cheese from  Moléson-sur-Gruyères. Otherwise, Gruyeres has some excellent food options.

 

Points of Interest

Moléson- sur -Gruyères Diary

At the foot of the Moléson, in the midst of the sweet-smelling pastures of Gruyère, stands a greying 17th-century chalet with a shake roof that has been converted into a demonstration cheese dairy. It houses a typical restaurant and displays a selection of local products. During the summer season, cheesemaking demonstrations are featured. Old and new utensils commonly found in alpine chalets decorate the interior.

 

Bobsleigh/Bobluge

If you have an adrenaline junkie streak why not take a seat in the bob-sled, listen carefully to the directions and let yourself be towed by a cable to the top of the track. Be careful! The bob comes off automatically and the descent begins! This is a summer activity.

 

Gruyeres

 A picture-perfect medieval town on a small hill with a castle and three totally different museums: In Gruyères, 800-year-old regional history and culture meet Oscar-winning aliens and Buddhist sculptures!

 

 

Start

Maison du Gruyeres (752 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'571'936E 1'159'023N
DD
46.581882, 7.072498
DMS
46°34'54.8"N 7°04'21.0"E
UTM
32T 352322 5160506
w3w 
///seemingly.tech.coupler

Destination

Maison du Gruyeres

Turn-by-turn directions

0.00 km - Start by the large sign for Maison du Gruyères around the back of the building in the carpark, with your back to the sign and carpark, TURN RIGHT and then TURN LEFT to join the Cheese Trail (signed)

0.50 km - Pass through the junction in the path and continue on following the signs for the Cheese Trail

0.70 km - TURN RIGHT and cross the small bridge and then BEAR LEFT ascending the path/vehicle track

4.00 km - BEAR LEFT away from the track and onto a smaller path and continue to follow the signs for the trail

4.80 km - BEAR LEFT as the path forks

5.60 km - Join the main road and BEAR LEFT descending with the road, continue on this road as it passes the bob luge and goes through a carpark, continue on the road as it passes the hairpin

7.30 km - TURN RIGHT off the road ascending a track signed for the cheese trail

8.00 km - TURN RIGHT at the farm house, taking the higher fo the two trails, following the signs for Gruyere

9.00 km - Continue STRAIGHT ON descending through the fields as the path becomes a track and enters the woods again, and leads down onto the main road

10.60 km - TURN RIGHT at the main road

11.30 km - TURN RIGHT off the main road and rejoin the path that made up the first kilometre of the trail

12.00 km - TURN RIGHT off the path and you will see the start point in front of you, the days walking is finished.

 

 

 

 

 

Note


all notes on protected areas

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'571'936E 1'159'023N
DD
46.581882, 7.072498
DMS
46°34'54.8"N 7°04'21.0"E
UTM
32T 352322 5160506
w3w 
///seemingly.tech.coupler
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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Equipment

As well as the appropriate shoes and layered clothing for the changeable weather and other essentials, you should consider walking poles, UV sunglasses and factor 30 suncream. The sun is bright and high UV in the higher Alps and the snow can reflect it and intensify the exposure.
The Most Beautiful hikes in La Gruyère
Switzerland › Fribourg › La Gruyère › Bulle

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
12.2 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
715 m
Descent
715 m
Highest point
1,233 m
Lowest point
749 m

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Routes Switzerland La Gruyère The Cheese Trail