iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

The Châtelard Castle is a private property and cannot be visited. You can only walk around and observe it from afar.

This esplanade offers an amazing panoramic view of Lake Geneva, Clarens and Châtelard Castle, with Montreux and the peaks of the Pre-Alps in the background. It is in front of the Châtelard stop of the MOB line (Montreux-Bernese Oberland) but it is accessed from the side, on the other side of the railway bridge.

This MOB stop (Montreux-Oberland Bernois) is only served by omnibus trains. Don't cross the track to admire the view from the esplanade, go back to the road and take the path on the left just after the railway bridge.

There is no public passage to climb to the Château du Châtelard through the vineyards. This is not a problem for our virtual stroll, which from here will make you jump up to the foot of the castle...

There is no public passage to cross the vineyards and reach the path below. This is not a problem for our virtual stroll, which from here will take you to the bottom of the vineyard...

This vineyard produces AOC Lavaux wines. There is no path to cross it and join the Chemin des Vignes below.

A very short alley that leads to the footbridge over the Baye River and to the bucolic path of La Foge.

Take the path that goes to the right of the footbridge to go for a walk along the Baye de Clarens, a river which flows from the Pléiades mountain area into Lake Geneva near the Pierrier.

Continue to go up to cross the old village and climb to the castle or to stroll along the river. You can also go to the other side, along Ruelle de Tavel then Chemin de l'Oche-Thorens to join Chemin des Vignes at the foot of the castle.

We pass here on the small square of the tiny village of Tavel. Further on the Châtelard side, you can take lovely walks. To reach Clarens, go back down the street or cut through the Tavel lane.

To go up to Castle of Châtelard, continue to follow the street. To go for a stroll along the river, go down Chemin de la Passerelle.

Chemin des Portaux goes up to Planchamp-Dessous and the Castle of Châtelard but the slope is very steep and we advise you to take the Châtelard path, which is also much more bucolic.

A few tens of meters further, Chemin de l'Ancien-Four joins Sentier du Châtelard, the path climbing to the castle. On the right, Chemin des Sources joins Chemin des Vignes.

Mountain side, the street joins the center of the old village of Tavel. Lake side, it joins Avenue Rambert after the start of Chemin des Vignes.

Chemin de Planchamp-Dessous starts from Route des Colondalles (connecting Montreux to Fontanivent and Chernex) and ends at La Foge, next to Chailly and to exit 15 of the E27 motorway.

Chemin des Portaux connects Tavel to Planchamp-Dessous and the castle of Châtelard, offering some plunging views of the Baye River. It's a very steep road!

Chemin des Sources links Chemin des Vignes to the top of Chemin de l'Ancien-Four, just before Sentier du Châtelard which climbs to the castle.

Beyond the footbridge lies an area of villas. Our virtual stroll stops here, on the bridge, to let you admire the river.

Following Route des Colondalles for 600 m from the top of Chemin de Planchamp-Dessous, near Châtelard Castle, you reach the steep Chemin de Clarenjaux to go down to Chemin des Vignes, in Tavel-Clarens.

Just before the bridge of the Montreux-Oberland Bernois (MOB) railway, turn right to admire the view from the esplanade opposite the Châtelard stop of the train line.

We pass here in front of the Châtelard train stop of the MOB railway line (Montreux-Oberland Bernois).

At the entrance to Montreux a superb panoramic view waits for you, with two benches for a break and an orientation panel to put names on what you see.

Continue up the street to reach the alleys of the village of Tavel, the starting point for nice walks.

You are here at the bottom of two small streets climbing towards the old village of Tavel. To the left, Chemin de l'Ancien-Four goes towards Castle of Châtelard. To the right, Chemin de l'Oche-Thorens takes you to Chemin des Vignes below the castle.

On one side, Chemin de l'Ancien-Four crosses Tavel and takes you to the castle and to the river. On the other, Chemin de l'Oche-Thorens goes towards Avenue Rambert and the center of Clarens. As for the alley, it leads directly to the tiny square of the old village.

The path of La Foge starts from Tavel, at the footbridge over the Baye de Clarens and follows the left bank of the river to La Foge, through a bucolic forest offering refreshing views of pretty little cascades. It's a very easy stroll.

Beyond the forest, the path of La Foge opens onto a small meadow and a playground for children.

For now, our virtual stroll stops here. A few tens of meters further on, you can take Chemin de la Foge on the right, which goes up towards Planchamp-Dessous and Châtelard.

The Châtelard path climbs from the village of Tavel to the castle. It is located on the castle estate, which is private property, but it is accessible to the public. The slope is less steep than it seems seen from below!