An easy walk with an amazing view!
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux, above Lac Léman, is a UNESCO World heritage site in Canton Vaud in Switzerland. The area was shaped by man in the 12th century by building terraces held in place by stone walls. It was the start of winegrowing on the steep hills along the lake. The vineyards of Lavaux were added to the list of Unesco World Heritage sites in 2007. The Lavaux vineyards offer many opportunities for walks with amazing views over the lake.
One of the most scenic roads in the Lavaux area is the Route de la Corniche with its summit in Chexbres. This road has the same name as the famous road in the South of France with a view on the coast. It is a bit comparable, even though in Lavaux, you see the lake and not the sea.
Saint-Saphorin
There are plenty of hiking possibilities in the area, and you can hike for as long as you would like. If you are looking for an easy walk, with all the best views, this is possible from several villages. We did a short Lavaux vineyard walk starting in Saint-Saphorin.
Saint-Saphorin is a very beautiful small village. The fortified town is located on the lake and at the foot of Mont Pélerin. The town has narrow cobbled streets and a central square with a church with a bell tower. Many walking trails leave from the village. Long hikes, or shorter ones.
Lavaux Vineyards Walk
We walked from Saint-Saphorin to Rivaz. This is a part of the Lavaux area with some of the most beautiful views. You can continue further, to Chexbres if you would like a bit more uphill. We decided to go for the short version after a nice lunch in the town.
This walk takes you along the ‘Chemin de la vigne à Gilles’ which is named after the chansonnier and poet Jean Villad Gilles who used to live in Saint-Saphorin. He wrote a lot of poems on Saint-Saphorin and you will find information panels about him and his poems along this road. You will also find information about the Lavaux region and the type of grapes along the walk.
Rivaz and wine tasting
In Rivaz, you can visit the Vinorama. The Vinorama is a space dedicated to learn all about the different wines, and the history of the terraced vineyards of Lavaux. More than 300 wines of the region are presented here, and they have a tasting room to taste the wines.
More information on their website: http://www.lavaux-vinorama.ch/en
Since we didn’t want to take the exact same route back, we went down in the village in Rivaz, and passed by the Chateau de Glerolles. To get back up from there, there was one steep part, but it’s not that long.
A map of our Lavaux Vineyards Walk can be found here:
Click here for the interactive version of the map.
Lavaux Panoramic Train
In the summer season, you could also go on a route along the villages and vineyards on the Lavaux Panoramic Train. All the information about this train can be found here: https://www.lavaux-panoramic.ch/home/
Hike and take a train back
There are many more hiking options in the Lavaux area. We will soon do more hikes there and add them to this article when we do. Some of the options are:
- From Cully to Epesses and on to Rivaz, trains are between Cully and Rivaz
- Saint-Saphorin to Chexbres, possibility to come back by train
- Grandvaux to Lutry, which takes about 2 hours
- And many more!
Where to Eat in Saint-Saphorin
We had lunch in the small Café du Raisin. They mainly serve fish dishes from the lake, but also have local cheese and meat platters, and something for vegetarians. They have a beautiful terrace with a view on the lake. Make sure you reserve in advance and ask them for a table on the terrace on top of the restaurant. When the weather predictions are good, they are usually fully booked a few days in advance.
Where to eat in Chexbres
A famous terrace with a view in the Lavaux vineyards area, is ‘Le Deck’ at the hotel – restaurant Baron Le Tavernier. More information about that terrace: le Deck
Did you like this article on a walk in the vineyards in Lavaux? Then you may also like our article on a hike in the vineyards in Ligerz with a view on Lake Biel!
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