Rochers de Naye - Châteu d'Oex (VA 3)
I hiked this hike on the 24th of August, 2026. It was the third of 23 stages across Switzerland, hiking the Via Alpina. This hike is mainly downhill, but still very varied and I enjoyed the different landscapes on the way to Châteu d’Oex a lot.
Full route: Swisstopo
After having spent the night down in Territet, I took the train up to the top of Rochers de Naye, where I had ended my hike the day before. It was a lightly clouded morning as I hiked away from Rochers de Naye, and I had one last view down at St. Gingolph were I started my hike across Switzerland a few days before, before I continued onwards.
The first hour walking away from Rochers de Naye, the hiking trail follows different ridges and you have really great views over the entire area. It was a relatively cold morning, but I enjoyed the grey weather and quiet empty trails, trying to figure out which mountain peaks I would pass by the next days.
After about half an hour, the sun came through the clouds and it got warmer. Beginning the steeper part of the first descent, I got the first glimpses down towards Lac de l’Hongrin, which I would pass by later in the day. The hiking trail on the way down was relatively easy although with steeper parts.
The trail flattened out and followed the road all the way to Lac de l’Hongrin from here. After the last part of the first descent, the road went up on the other side of a small valley. After the steeper part, it was nice to walk on the road, and I had a last view in direction Rochers de Naye, before loosing sight completely.
Up close to the lake, I passed by a small farm which were selling drinks, and as it was getting quite warm, I had a break here before continuing. Not long after, I missed a turn of the Via Alpina. Therefore, I hiked along the lake for a while instead of above it, but it was cool walking through the tunnel and seeing the big dam close up, which I would not otherwise have.
I walked out onto the dam and spent some time here before continuing. It is a very impressive dam, and I was completely alone which was nice. Continuing, I decided to have my lunch break up on a hill, where I could enjoy the lake and views of the area. It was again getting more clouded, but still a very warm day.
Starting the descent to Châteu d’Oex, I could see Montbovon where I started a hike some years before. The trail down was for a part relatively steep and narrow, but with chains in the wall and therefore okay. As I made my way down on the trail, I could see down to the beautifully colored Lac du Vernex.
Almost fully down, I had views to Châteu d’Oex through the trees. Before reaching the village, I walked passed a very nice farm store, which sold a lot of things, homemade ice included, so I took a break here and enjoyed a cold refreshment. The last kilometers goes through fields and into the village, and I finally reached my B&B on a farm outside town, just 5 min away from the Via Alpina.
