Cogwheel railway to Rochers de Naye, Montreux
The cogwheel railway to Rochers de Naye was one of the best things we did on our recent 18 day European vacation! It is a super steep and comfortable ride from Montreux train station to the top of a 6,700 foot mountain. The train has huge windows, optimizing your views. First you have views of the town and the curve of the coastline of Lake Geneva, sheer rock cliff faces, and delicate forest. Higher up, you reach Alpine forest that is so lovely. As you climb higher and higher, past little villages and chalets, you look down on awesome drops! Deep blue Lake Geneva and pointy mountain peaks are below. You see fields of green, sheep, alpine flowers of blue and yellow, and glorious mountain ridges.
Once you disembark at the top, you walk a short path to Jardin Alpin La Rambertia, a free Alpine garden, which is basically a narrow, hard-packed dirt hiking path past Alpine flowers and with incredible views! Every turn offers more amazing views, of lakes, snow, jagged mountain ranges, and steep cliffs.
You might see a marmot poke its head out of the rocks- we didn't, unfortunately. We avoided going to the marmot zoo because we definitely don't want to see marmots in cages.
You can also walk through the train tunnel to the other side, for two lookout platforms. But the views are the same, and the tunnel is extremely musty.
There is a restroom in the train station, and a cafe where you can grab a warm drink. It is an hour before the next train takes you back down.
Come early in the morning so that you have the train mostly to yourselves! Then you can switch seats depending on which side of the train the views are at that moment.
Dress warm, because it's cold at the top! You will need a bubble jacket, and maybe a beanie too.
View of the train tunnel we just went through.
The drivers.
The serene lake below.
View of Lake Geneva from high up.
My favorite view. The cutest mountain, with the lake beyond.
Alpine pasqueflower you see from the train.
Mountains with snow, lake, and alpine hillsides.
The steep, rocky terrain.
Flowers at the top!
Flowers you hike past.
Incredible views before you as you stand at the top!!
The views in all directions are amazing.
Stunning views at the top.
The train station at the top.
The train.
The train, at the top.
Paths on the hillsides.
Flowers you see from the train: yellow, white, purple, pink, blue.
The lush vegetation closer to the bottom.
View of the lake, when you descend and are almost at the bottom.
Views of the coastline of Lake Geneva, including Chillon Castle.
Rock, and beautiful outline of pine trees.
The wonderful rock cliffs you see as you descend in the train.
Musty tunnel at the top, which you can walk through to see a view on the other side.
Flowers and views from the path.
The hiking path at the top.
Flowers along the hiking path.
What the train looks like at the Montreux station.
The stops the train makes.
In December, Santa is at the top!
Views of Montreux town at the start of the trip.
Views over the lake, including Chillon Castle and the raised highway that hugs the cliff.
Sheer rock faces are fun to see from the train.
The train has amazing views and all windows!
View from the train window!
You pass little towns along the way.
The Christmas train.
Passing a chalet.
I like the little chalets, and stunning mountain views.
A sweet chalet.
Pine trees, lake, and mountains. Lovely.
Mountains and pine trees. Nothing better!
Chalet with views.
Pine tree with flowers galore at its base.
Pine trees in a row, and the lake beyond.
Row of pine trees and serene lake below.
Mountain peak and lucky sheep.
Rocky mountain.
A wooden platform at one of the stops.
Wooden platform at one of the stops, and views!!
Sheep run away from the train.
The hills are alive!
Flowers beside us, and sweeping views.
Views at the top, on the other side of the tunnel.
Views at the top, on the other side of the tunnel.
Jagged mountain peaks.
Alpine pasqueflowers- so sweet.
Alpine pasqueflowers.
The trails in the Alpine garden.
Alpine pasqueflowers, with lake and snowy mountains in the distance.
Flowers and lake.
Yellow globeflowers.
Wonderful views.
Flowers with mountains like teeth in the distance.
The path.
Alpine pasqueflowers in a rock crevice.
The path through the Alpine garden.
Hiking path in the Alpine garden.
Bench and boulders.
Boulders, pine trees, and views for miles.
Pine tree and layers of mountains.
The cute path by a pointed mountain.
The entrance to the Alpine garden, which you can freely stroll around like a hiking path.
Little bergenia flowers.
Rocky bench, and incredible rocky backdrop.
Tiny purple flowers amid the rocks.
Stunning dropoffs.
The mountains and pines!
Fog between the mountains.
A hiker looks up at the rock face.
Flowers, rock face, and mountains in the distance.
The train looks like a toy from a distance.
Google maps does not list this railway in its directions, but it does exist! You take this train from Montreux station. The train leaves the Montreux station from Platform 8, at about 12 minutes after the hour. The train says "Rocher de Naye" on it. Part of the way up is free with the discount card your hotel gives you, the Montreux Riviera Card. And then you pay for the rest of the way up, at the ticket office. The cost is around $55 each.
Last Updated: Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:28:15 GMT
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