Gros-De-Vaud: Hiking, Landscape and Culture

Gros-De-Vaud is a gently rolling plateau landscape shaped by agriculture. Fertile soils, fields, forests and rural villages give the destination its character; the average elevation is 550 to 600 metres above sea level. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first choose where to focus based on your planned itinerary: hiking, nature or culture.

Landscape and trails through the region

On the Chemin des Blés, a signposted educational trail about 100 kilometres long that starts in Echallens, paths lead through fields and forests. The Alps and the Jura lie in the background. Each village along the Chemin des Blés has an information point with details about its history and architecture, as well as circular routes in the surrounding area. This lets you combine the landscape with insights into the places the trail passes through.

Along the Gros-de-Vaud Country Walk, wheat, barley, spelt, maize, rapeseed and sunflowers shape the landscape throughout the year. The Bois d’Orjulaz is also on the Gros-de-Vaud Country Walk: young and old trees provide habitats for numerous bird species, making the forest a natural retreat. Further across the landscape of Gros de Vaud, the Venoge has cut a valley about one kilometre wide and up to 100 metres deep into the plateau. It drains the western part southwards towards Lake Geneva.

Hikes with different focuses

The Tour du Gros de Vaud is a hiking trail about 70 kilometres long, divided into five stages. Looping around Echallens, it passes through landscapes, forests and rural villages and offers insights into the district’s cultural heritage. The Chemin des Blés, with its educational trail, offers a different focus. Comparing the routes reveals differences in their length, layout and themes; which route is better suited to your stay depends on whether you prefer hiking in stages or combining landscapes with local history.

The Sentier du Talent is just under ten kilometres long and signposted. It connects Echallens and Montheron through forests and along the Talent River’s natural banks. Historic canals in Cugy, Brétigny and Assens recall the former importance of mills and sawmills in the region. The Sentier Handicap et Nature passes through varied woodland and offers views of the Jura range and the Pre-Alps.

Cultural sites and nature experiences

The Espace Culturel Assens is housed in a restored farmhouse that contains its gallery. Since 1998, the institution has showcased established and recognised artists as well as promising young artists. Its programme includes concerts, performances, literary evenings, workshops, conferences and debates; the formats may change over time.

The Musée Suisse du Blé et du Pain explores agriculture, milling and baking, as well as the history of grain and bread, across three floors. The collection also includes traditional costumes from the Pays de Vaud. The Chemin de Ti'Grain is a circular route specially designed for children, with 20 educational stations. The museum therefore focuses on grain processing, regional clothing and a dedicated route for children.

Three circular trails in the shape of a cuckoo’s loaf have been laid out around Le Repaire in the Bois des Brigands. The “Tronches d'Arbres” mini-arboretum introduces local and international forest species through 11 information panels. The Bois des Brigands is open year-round and admission is free; check local access information before your visit, as it may change.

At the Ascension de l’Antenne de Sottens, visitors can climb a 125-metre-high transmission mast at their own pace. The activity is seasonal, so check the operating dates before your trip. In clear weather, the panorama extends from the Alps to the Jura. Depending on the option selected and seasonal operation, local specialities may also be available to taste.

Getting there and planning your stay

The Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher railway line connects Lausanne-Flon with Bercher via Echallens. From LEB stations, numerous excursions into nature are possible on foot or by bicycle, without needing a car. Check the timetable, access to the stations and current services before your trip. The Gros-de-Vaud area also offers excursions on the Train-resto and the steam train. Both can be booked for private or business events and run regularly on public excursions; check dates and reservations in advance. When choosing where to stay, you can first consider the experiences you want to shape your visit.

Discover more destinations: Goumoens-La-Ville, Mex, Oppens, Goumoens-Le-Jux, Fey, Montilliez, Payerne, La Vallée.

For the broader travel overview: Vaud.