Glion - Rochers de Naye (VA 2)
I did this hike on the 23rd of August, 2026. It was the second of 23 stages across Switzerland, hiking the Via Alpina. This stage was only uphill, but most of the way up the trail followed wider hiking trails, gravel and normal road, so it was not too demanding or difficult.
Full route: Swisstopo
As I had stayed over night in Territet, I started the morning by taking the funicular up to Glion, where I ended the day before. Leaving the train station, I again had great views down over Lake Geneva and the mountains in the area. I followed Route 1 out of Glion and continued up through forest, crossing the road a few times on the way up.
After the first steeper part, the trail flattened out for a while, and entering more open areas, I could see into France and also far in direction Lausanne. It was a really beautiful day and as it was already realatively warm, I was happy that the way up for big parts went through forest.
After walking through the village of Caux, the Via Alpina follows a hiking path, which is also part of the Narcissus trail which is very popular in May, when the narcissus flowers bloom. I was once before on this trail, enjoying the narcissus flowers. It was nice to be back, and I took a morning break on the same bench where I had been a few years before, enjoying the views over the lake.
With new energy after my break, I continued on the trail, which soon turned into a more regular hiking path. After walking with views of the lake below, the trail turned around and I could now see the top of Rochers de Naye and the end goal of the day. As it was Sunday and great weather, the trail was relatively full, but most people were hiking down from the top in the opposite direction of me.
The last part of the trail to the top is above the main tree line and therefore with great views over the entire area as well as Lake Geneva. Although I was close to the top, I decided to have my lunch break here before the last half hour of hiking. The final part of the trail was steep but not too long, and since it was a short hike, I was already up at the top in the early afternoon.
Up at the top, I started out by visiting the platform with the tower. It was very full, so I continued a bit on the ridge and found a great spot to sit down and enjoy the view and the end of the second day on the Via Alpina. I could see down to St. Gingolph on the border to France where I had started the day before, which was very cool.
The views from the top are absolutely stunning, and I was really lucky with the weather and clear views. As I was sitting and looking around, I realised that I could actually see as far as the mountains around Lauterbrunnen, and therefore also my hiking route for the next week, which was really special. There is no accommodation at the top, and I therefore took the train back down to Montreux, where I would be staying for the night.
