Bretaye-Col de la Croix- Bretaye

Nathalie with Indira (from 06.08.21):

Today it had led us again in the early morning hours, for a wonderful round trip in the beautiful Vaud.

The best place to park is the public car park on the Col de la Croix pass. There you will also find the interesting gypsum pyramids in karst formation. From there, the hike starts and climbs steadily over trails and alpine meadows. The safe ascent is definitely worth it, because from the top, one has a wonderful panorama with a view of the Mont Blanc massif. Afterwards, the path leads rather leisurely to the idyllic Lac de Chavonnes which invites you to linger with a small restaurant and cosy places. As we are still quite early and it is unusually fresh at this time of year, we are drawn further. On a wide, well-maintained path, with a view of the small Lac Noir, we climb up to the mountain pass of Bretaye, with its lake and hamlet of the same name, which is characterised by romantic mountain chalets and their traditional shingle roofs. Up here we take a break and enjoy the warm rays of the sun. Strengthened, we continue downhill on a wide path, partly over muddy tracks. But without some dirt on the shoes and clothes, it wouldn't be a real hike :-). The whole route leads over or between alpine pastures. 90% of them are fenced and the cows show no interest in dogs and humans. Nevertheless, it is called, simply calmly go on. On this tour there is no official leash obligation, nevertheless I keep mine on the leash because the pastures are still occupied. Also it has again and again water places / wells available, where the dog can refresh itself (please do not let bathe in it!). Who would like can start the route also from Villars. From there the rack railway goes up to the Bretaye. It is worth starting early as it tends to be a well visited place.

CANTON OF VAUD: FROM 1 APRIL - 15 JULY, DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD IN THE FOREST, AT THE EDGE OF THE FOREST AND ON ADJACENT MEADOWS IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS.