Cabane des Marindes (1866 m) – Château-d’Œx (960 m), distance 12 km, walking time → 3 hrs 40 min; ← 4 hrs 50 min

Having discovered the kingdom of the golden eagle at the foot of Les Dents des Bimis, the path down to Château-d’Œx takes you past several mountain farms nestled in an exceptional corry of the Vanils mountain range. It is here where L’Étivaz AOP cheese is made. A superb panoramic view opens out on to the entire Pays-d’Enhaut, the Alps, and, in the distance, Mont Blanc.

• Distance: 12 km

• Walking time: → 3 hrs 40 min ← 4 hrs 50 min

• Altitude: lowest point 960 m; highest point 1911 m

• Elevation gain/drop: → +335 m, -1222 m; ← +1222 m, - 335 m

Level of difficulty : experienced hikers
Material : hiking shoes, picnic (evening meal and overnight stay at Les Marindes), weather-appropriate clothing (NB : mountain weather is very changeable)
Hiking map : 1:25'000 (edition mpa, TopoRando) : La Gruyère
Hiking map : 1:40'000 (Kümmerly+Frey) : Parc Gruyères Pays-d'Enhaut - Order the card : 20.- (+2.- of shipping costs). 

Accommodation at Les Marindes

Cabane CAS des Marindes. Open daily from mid-May to early October. No dining facilities (except soup and beverages), but a self-catering kitchen is available. Information and booking (required): +41 (0)79 790 45 33, www.cas-gruyere.ch

Accommodation in Château-d’Œx

Hôtel Roc et Neige, Route des Monnaires 46, +41 (0)26 924 33 50 www.roc-et-neige.ch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Hôtel de Ville, Grand Rue 70, +41 (0)26 924 74 77, www.hdvoex.ch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
B&B Le Vieux Chalet, La Frasse 57, +41 (0)79 758 12 02, www.vieuxchalet.ch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
B&B Les Rosatlits, Route de la Frasse 63, +41 (0)79 773 08 64, www.les-rosatlits.ch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public transport

Information and timetables: www.cff.ch, Bulle train station, +41 (0)26 913 05 11
Cabane des Marindes: no public transport service. Nearest TPF stop: Charmey, Pra Jean
Château-d’Œx: train MOB (Montreux – Zweisimmen). Stop: Château-d’Œx

Itinerary

From Les Marindes, take the path heading to Dzorri Marro down into the Vallon des Mortheys. Above Dzori Marro, continue to your right, along the south face of Les Dents des Bimis, then follow the path that passes through the high-pasture farms of Doréna, Paray Doréna and Paray Charbon. From here, continue walking until you reach the road close to Pâquier Gétaz. Walk along this road for around 1 km, then take the path on the right that leads downhill. Once you reach the road, turn left and continue walking for a further 400 m. Turn right and continue along the path that leads down to the stream at Les Coulaytes. Continue along the road until you reach the centre of Château-d’Œx.

Highlights

Vallon des Morteys and Les Dents des Bimis
Both faces of the Vanil Noir
The architecturally interesting Doréna and Paray Doréna chalets
Mountain farms: Doréna, Paray-Doréna, Paray-Charbon, Charbonnet, Pâquier-Gétaz, Les Chargiaux, Les Coulaytes (production of L'Étivaz AOP cheese) 

Note 

Dogs are not allowed in the Vanil Noir nature reserve.