Vanil de la Monse
Location
Charmey Fribourg, on the road to the Jaun Pass, after Bulle and Broc
Descriptif
Difficult hike, with a climb from the “Gite à Bas” to Vanil de la Monse very steep (close to the 30 ° slope on 1.5 km). The descent from Vanil de la Monse also requires a secure foot. To travel in dry weather only and not recommended for people prone to vertigo. Walking sticks recommended.
Total length
about 6 km
Walking time
3 to 4 hours
Elevation + et –
+/-650 meters
National hiking map 1:50’000
252 Bulle
Best period
May to October
Difficulty
T3 +
Useful information
This hike can be done in both directions. The famous thermal baths of La Gruyère are located in Charmey. After your hike, enjoy going for a swim. It’s a good way to relax the muscles and admire the panorama from the outside pools.
Itinerary
Once arrived in Charmey from Bulle and Broc, cross the village and take the direction of the Jaun pass. At the exit of the village, follow Motélon (by the Motélon road), dump. There is a parking lot in front of the garbage dump. From here, follow the forest road (west direction) for about 500 meters to the junction with the sign « ltour du lac”. Follow « tour du lac” while climbing in the forest. Then you cross pastures to “Pra Lé Avau”. You have just followed a beautiful tree-lined road for 400 meters. At the end of this road, before the bend, follow a path perpendicular to the road towards Vanil de la Monse and Gîte à Bas. You cross a pasture to a forest edge for about fifty meters. After crossing the forest, you reach a very steep pasture before Gîte à Bas. Climb towards Vanil de la Monse along the pasture on the left to the sign “Les Plans”. Then take the direction “Vanil la Monse 20 minutes” and admire the panorama. Join the path of downhill whose departure is not very marked (many traces of animals). The downhill is quite technical and on the end there are two passages with ladders. At the end of the downhill, when you have reached the Jaun pass road, follow it for about 500 meters towards Charmey. After the large industrial hall (blue, on your left), follow a road towards the foothills of Vanil de la Monse. At the top of this road take the direction “Charmey” and follow a forest path. Join your starting point by skirting the foothills of Vanil de la Monse by this forest path.
