Stage info
The hike begins in Plan-Francey (1,518 m) at the foot of the Moléson, the king of the Fribourg mountains which towers high above Gruyères and its castle. The first stage of the hike follows the themed 'Botanical Trail' until the Gros-Moléson alpine hut. From there, it continues along an undulating ridge to Vudalla, which offers sweeping views of the Gruyère region. The next stage is the almost 1,000-metre descent to Neirivue. The path crosses woodland and the Les Dovalles alp, perched high on a steep clearing. From there, an all-weather road leads to the village of Neirivue. This partly tree-covered, dry and sunny slope in the Intyamon Valley is home to a wide variety of native animal and plant species, making it an important contributor to the region's biodiversity. On the approach to Neirivue, you will pass a fish farm. In 1904, a fire destroyed most of the village. It was reconstructed and its fortunes were revived during the latter part of the 20th century thanks primarily to the timber and textile industries which remain major drivers of the local economy today.
