Attalens: Nature Trails, Castle History and Village Life

Attalens lies in a valley formed by the Rhône Glacier, between Mont-Vuarat and Mont-Pèlerin. The elevation ranges from 703 m on the banks of the Broye near Franex to 985 m at the summit of Mont-Vuarat. Gentle hills, meadows and forests shape the landscape. Signposted trails lead through meadows, forests and the vineyards of the Veveyse region; the area is ideal for walks and cycling. Attalens also lies on the road between Vevey and Palézieux.

Hiking trails and nature in Attalens

The Sentier botanique d’Attalens leads through woodland and undergrowth and features around 50 species of trees and shrubs. Information panels along the way explain the different tree species. The trail also includes sculptures carved into tree trunks. It thus combines botanical knowledge with artistic elements in a woodland setting.

The Nordic walking route in Attalens is classified as easy. It is 13 km long and takes 3 hours 20 minutes, with an ascent and descent of 277 m each. Possible starting points are the bus stop in the village centre or En Priolla, point 707 on the map. If you plan to start at the bus stop, check current public transport connections in advance.

At 5.6 km, the Le Creux-Guillod trail is shorter than the 13 km Nordic walking route. It initially follows the road below the castle as far as the former gendarmerie and continues to the edge of the canton of Vaud. There, hikers can enjoy a view of the Pre-Alps. This makes it possible to compare the two trails by their stated lengths, without assuming a walking time for Le Creux-Guillod.

Castle history and culture

Attalens’s cultural character is shaped by the medieval Château d’Attalens, now privately owned, and the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church. The Château d’Attalens was first mentioned in 1068 and later came into the possession of the Lords of Oron. It is located on the former Roman road between Vevey and Moudon.

During restoration work at the château in 2024, wall paintings were discovered that probably date from 1616. The discovery connects a recent stage of restoration with the château’s much older history of decoration. The privately owned château and the named church offer distinct points of reference for the village’s cultural character.

Meet the alpacas

RandoAlpagas is an old farm in Attalens that welcomes visitors on guided walks with alpacas and/or a llama. A short walk with two alpacas takes about 20 minutes. This is followed by a visit where you can get to know the alpacas and the llama up close. A walk with two alpacas takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. A homemade snack is available by reservation.

Market in the village square

The Marché de la Place Jaune is usually held at the Place du Village in Attalens on the last Friday of the month, from 5 to 10 p.m. Local products and an apéritif are available. Check the specific date before your visit if you plan to include the market in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Châtel-Saint-Denis, La Verrerie, Granges.

Return to the regional travel overview: Veveyse.