Like every year, my parents came to spend a week of fall break with us. During these visits, we show them the beauties of Switzerland, among which there is always a “highlight,” a notorious place. Otherwise, we also try to show them the “hidden gems”, places you don’t read much about in guidebooks. We made an exception this year, and I showed them two highlights. After a successful trip to Rigi, I took them high above the shores of Lake Geneva to walk through the vineyards of Lavaux. The terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. This unique wine region between Lausanne and Montreux covers some 800 hectares and is worth a trip.
You may recall I’ve written about a trip to Lavaux on the blog before. Back then, five years ago (has it been that long? I feel like we were only there last year!), we walked the route from Lutry to Cully. This time, we also went to Cully, but from the other direction, from Rivaz. This section of the route is just under 6 kilometers and can be done with a stroller. Of course, nothing prevents you from continuing to Lutry (then the route would be about 11.5 kilometers). There is also no problem in shortening the route at any time. The train route goes along Lake Geneva shores and local trains stop in every village in this wine-growing area.
Hiking through the vineyards: Rivaz – Epesses – Cully
The route starts in the wine-growing village of Rivaz, which lies at the foot of Mont Pelèrin, right on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is easily accessible by train or by car. Vevey is a stone’s throw away. You can park (for free!) either by the train station or at designated places in the village. We parked on the Chem. des Glérolles street.
From here, we took the hiking trail to Epesses. We were lucky to arrive when the grape harvest was underway so we could see the winemakers and dozens of their helpers at work.
If you can’t or don’t want to walk through the vineyards, there are tourist trains from Vevey. These run from 29 March to 10 November, offering several one-hour tours and themed routes.
Rivaz
We saw three tourist trains running in a row in the center of the wine village Rivaz. As you can see in the photo below, there are countless wine cellars where you can come to taste wine (usually by appointment).
Panorama Dézaley
The Dézaley area begins less than a kilometer beyond the village. The small stand of the family winery will certainly not leave you cold. We enjoyed their wine very much. The route continues along a wide path between the steepest vineyards in Switzerland, so working on them must be an adventure!
Chasselas is the dominant variety grown here, the king of local white wines known for its delicate flavor and mineral character. The local wines have the Grand Cru Dézaley label, which is a sign of the highest quality wines from this exclusive region.
Information boards along the hiking trail explain the secrets of the vine and wine. Did you know that the local vineyards have been tended for forty generations? On the hill above the vineyards, the Tour de Marsens tower will look down on you. It originally served as a watchtower to oversee the strategically important Lavaux trade route, providing protection and security for the local settlements.
Epesses
The second third of the route concludes in the picturesque village of Epesses, where time seems to stand still – and in the best way! Walking through its streets, you feel like you’re in a historical novel or fairy tale. Here, too, you can enjoy a glass of delicious wine overlooking the endless vineyards and Lake Geneva.
Riex
The village of Riex is also very similar to Epesses. In the middle of it we turn left and descend steeply to the station in Cully, where we take the train back to Rivaz.
Vevey
Now that we have visited Lavaux, it would be a shame not to stop in nearby Vevey, which is not for nothing called the “Pearl of the Swiss Riviera”.
Summary
- The route from Rivaz to Cully is less than 6 kilometers long.
- The route is suitable for strollers.
- The route can be shortened or extended (e.g., to Lutry or starting from St. Saphorin).
- Trains run between the villages at hourly intervals.
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