Discover Epalinges: Trails, Nature and History

Epalinges combines trails through the Jorat landscape with natural areas and a village history that is easy to trace. Here are some practical points to help you choose where to stay: you can compare a longer circular route with a shorter walk while also exploring a wetland, forest and historic buildings.

Location and landscape of Epalinges

The municipality lies 785 metres above sea level, on the southern slope of the Jorat in the Vaud Plateau, about four kilometres as the crow flies northeast of Lausanne. Its territory covers a section of slope divided by smaller valleys. The Flon Valley and the valley of the Flon Morand border the municipality, and several tributaries of the Flon rise within its boundaries. Epalinges also sits above Lausanne, around 400 metres above the level of Lake Geneva. These details help place it between the Lausanne area and the Jorat plateau.

Walks and trails

The “En balade à Épalinges” circular route starts and ends at the Croisettes m2 station, near the bus stops. It is about six kilometres long, takes approximately two hours and is considered easy. The brochure of the same name presents sixteen points of interest, including historical anecdotes and information about nature and territorial development. This lets you choose the walk not only by its approximate duration, but also by the topics that interest you along the way.

A shorter option is another easy trail through the biotope in the Bois de la Chapelle. It is just under one kilometre long and takes about thirty minutes. It was inaugurated on 25 May 2019 and features twelve totems with drawings by Raymond Burki. QR codes next to each drawing let you listen to audio commentary by the artist Valott on your smartphone. Compared with the longer circular route, this walk is considerably shorter, while combining a biotope with the drawings.

Wetland and forest

Near the Moulin Rose is a wetland that can be visited via a few paths running through it and that helps promote local biodiversity. Another natural area is the biotope in the Bois de la Chapelle, created by the municipal forestry team in 2014. Information panels there cover the life cycle of amphibians and the importance of wood piles. Epalinges thus offers both a wetland with paths and a biotope with nature information, each with its own focus.

The Bois de la Chapelle is the largest woodland in the municipality. The highest point in Epalinges, at 850 metres, lies on the Jorat plateau. If you want to combine a walk with exploring the area, you can use the valleys and ridge as reference points and choose from specific trail options with different time estimates.

Village history and culture

The Quartier du Village is considered the historic centre of Epalinges. The Église des Croisettes is listed as a historic monument, and the municipality regards it as an emblematic building. Set on a grassy hill, its broad Bernese roof and village character shape the appearance of the area. The church was inaugurated on 13 November 1662.

The Moulin Rose is also connected with local history: it was one of two mills still powered by the water of the Flon about a century ago. A sawmill was part of the same local water-powered system. The church and the history of the mills offer a different focus from the walking routes and natural areas.

Since 2021, the municipality’s Saison Culturelle has showcased local talent while also opening the door to international creations. The programme includes performing arts, music, theatre, dance and comedy; individual events vary. Les Estivales offers various activities and free concerts at the Place des fêtes d’Épalinges from late June to mid-August. Specific activities vary from one edition to another.

Find a hotel in Epalinges

Use these highlights to decide whether the longer circular route, the short walk through the biotope or the village’s history is the main draw for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Belmont-Sur-Lausanne, Renens, Lausanne, Crissier, Romanel-Sur-Lausanne, Bussigny.

Go to the broader travel overview: Lausanne.