--- title: "A summit in eastern Vaud" url: "https://www.thunersee.ch/en/experiences/tour/a-summit-in-eastern-vaud" description: "The village Gsteig at the foot of the passes Sanetsch and Col du Pillon did not get its name by chance; it is said to derive from the Old High German word \"staiga\", which means ascent. The days of pack animals, when these passes were still important for trade, are over, and on Col du Pillon it is mostly tourist activity. Most excursionists stand in line at the pass summit for the cable car to the Glacier-des-Diablerets area. Those who start their hike here will not likely face traffic jams. In less than half an hour Lac Retaud with its inviting restaurant is reached. In the morning the doors are still closed because the restaurant only opens at 10:30 a.m. Gently ascending, the hiking trail continues toward La Marnèche, then over the Alp Isenau to Col des Andérets and over the broad northern ridge of La Palette to the summit. A magnificent panoramic view rewards the ascent: over Col du Pillon to the glaciated peaks of the Diablerets, to the deep blue Lake Arnen, or over the village Les Diablerets up to the Dents du Midi. Those not free from fear of heights should not step too close to the southern edge of the summit as it drops nearly vertically. From the summit you first return the same way to Col des Andérets, then on the eastern side around La Palette to Col de Voré. The descent from this pass is temporarily quite steep and rough and requires surefootedness. At Lac Retaud the circle closes, and the restaurant is open unless it is a rest day. While enjoying a catered break, you can daydream, look back to the summit of La Palette, or stroll leisurely around the lake. You can take your time; the return path to Col du Pillon is completed quickly." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://img.oastatic.com/img2/72755510/max/variant.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > www.thunersee.ch > Experiences > Tour" --- GPX Share A summit in eastern Vaud ======================== - 10.20 km long - Round trip - Difficulty: medium - Condition: easy - Hiking Trail - 3:50 h - 10.20 km - 690 m - 690 m - 1,542 m - 2,170 m - 628 m - - Start: Col du Pillon - Destination: Col du Pillon **An original circular hike leads from Col du Pillon to Lac Retaud with the mountain restaurant, via Col des Andérets to the summit of La Palette and on the other side over Col de Voré back to Lac Retaud and Col du Pillon.** The village Gsteig at the foot of the passes Sanetsch and Col du Pillon did not get its name by chance; it is said to derive from the Old High German word "staiga", which means ascent. The days of pack animals, when these passes were still important for trade, are over, and on Col du Pillon it is mostly tourist activity. Most excursionists stand in line at the pass summit for the cable car to the Glacier-des-Diablerets area. Those who start their hike here will not likely face traffic jams. In less than half an hour Lac Retaud with its inviting restaurant is reached. In the morning the doors are still closed because the restaurant only opens at 10:30 a.m. Gently ascending, the hiking trail continues toward La Marnèche, then over the Alp Isenau to Col des Andérets and over the broad northern ridge of La Palette to the summit. A magnificent panoramic view rewards the ascent: over Col du Pillon to the glaciated peaks of the Diablerets, to the deep blue Lake Arnen, or over the village Les Diablerets up to the Dents du Midi. Those not free from fear of heights should not step too close to the southern edge of the summit as it drops nearly vertically. From the summit you first return the same way to Col des Andérets, then on the eastern side around La Palette to Col de Voré. The descent from this pass is temporarily quite steep and rough and requires surefootedness. At Lac Retaud the circle closes, and the restaurant is open unless it is a rest day. While enjoying a catered break, you can daydream, look back to the summit of La Palette, or stroll leisurely around the lake. You can take your time; the return path to Col du Pillon is completed quickly. Read more Berner Wanderwege Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (2%) Trail (29%) Path (65%) Asphalt (4%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions Col du Pillon – Lac Retaud – Col des Andérets – La Palette – Col de Voré – Lac Retaud – Col du Pillon Read more Equipment We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain boots, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, first aid kit, picnic, enough fluids, mobile phone. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Public transportation**Arrival: by post bus from the stations Gstaad and Les Diablerets to Col du Pillon, Glacier 3000 Return trip: same as arrival Read more Additional information Berner Wanderwege Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, E-Mail: info@beww.ch, Homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch Read more License (master data) Safety guidelines This route runs entirely or partly on marked paths of the category mountain hiking trail. Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Tours 10.98 km - Hiking Trail 12.20 km - Hiking Trail 11.01 km - Hiking Trail **outdooractive** Contact 1865 Ormont-Dessus Download GPX file - -