I am thrilled that my list of completed daffodil trails above Montreux is gradually growing. Last year, my daughter and I went to Mont-Pèlerin, and this year we visited the magical meadows full of white daffodils in Les Pléiades. An easy, less than six-kilometer route with beautiful views awaited us. And as a bonus? I learned there is a moorland here, a themed trail for children, and the whole area is also popular in winter – we spotted several ski lifts on the slopes. And so my list of places in Switzerland worth visiting every season has grown a little longer.
Getting to Les Pléiades:
By car: the journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes from Bern and 25 minutes from Montreux. From Blonay, the road is very winding but wide enough to drive on and not dangerous. The large Les Motalles car park is free of charge. We arrived here on a weekday morning, so it was almost empty, and at around 1:30 p.m., when we left, it was half full. But I believe that on weekends or holidays, it must fill up quickly, and cars may have to park on the side of the road, as we experienced in Les Avants.
Les Pléiades is also served by a cog railway called the Train des Étoiles (Star Train). It departs from Vevey and runs via Blonay to the top of Les Pléiades. This 10.5 km-long track climbs approximately 1,000 meters. During the season, it runs every half hour, taking 34 minutes from Vevey and 16 minutes from Blonay. A return ticket costs CHF 38.80 from Vevey. It is half price with a Half-fare Card.
What you should know before you go
Daffodils bloom only briefly, usually from mid-May to early June. You must plan your trip carefully to catch them in full bloom. You can track the flowering status on this interactive map. You should also know how to behave along the route. The daffodil meadows are private property, so please do not enter them, do not step on the daffodils, do not pick them in large quantities, and do not let your four-legged friends run around in the daffodil fields.
Narcissus Trail Les Pléiades
From the Les Malottes car park, we set off toward the Circuit de Pratin/La Crete des Pléiades trail. The first part of the trail leads along a long wooden footbridge over the Marais des Tenasses marsh. Shortly afterwards, we discovered that the trail was closed, but fortunately, we could bypass it via another wooden footbridge. And it was here that I discovered another trail – a three-kilometer themed trail for children called Circuit de l’Ermite, where you can find beautiful carved wooden sculptures.
We soon rejoined our route, and instead of a wooden footbridge, a wide dirt road opened up before us, and in a moment we saw the first field of daffodils. Most of the flowers were still closed, but as we walked on, the meadows on the left were already colored by “May snow.”
The biggest hype started at the ski lift and the Cabane du Prantin hut. Here, we discovered various paths leading across the fields, but we continued along the marked route. After turning left, the climb began, but at the same time, beautiful views opened up before us – both of the Jura Mountains and, for example, the Les Paccots area, where my daughter and I went hiking last year.
We found a nice spot with a view and had a picnic on the grass. Who could have known that a few dozen meters higher up was the restaurant La Châ?
The trail continued to climb along the ski lifts, and when it finally began to descend again, even more beautiful views appeared before us. And, of course, another field of daffodils. It was a lovely finishing touch, where you can take many beautiful photos.
We headed towards the Les Pléiades train station, but not to catch a train, but because the Restaurant Les Pléiades is located just behind it. The restaurant’s terrace offers beautiful views of the lake.
Refreshed by ice cream, we set off on the final stage of our route – along a trail beside the railway tracks down to Lally, and from there along an asphalt road. Just before the car park is Restaurant le 1209.
Summary
- The trail is 5.7 km long.
- The trail is unsuitable for strollers due to a wooden footbridge. It is better to carry your child in a baby carrier.
- The trail is also suitable for smaller children
