Hike Suitable with Public Transport

1. Les Gorges de l'Orbe (Orbe Gorge)

• Highlights: Dramatic river gorge, waterfalls, wooden walkways, forest trails.

• Start Point: Orbe

• Hike: Orbe → Les Clées → Vallorbe (or round trip)

• Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

• Public Transport:
  🚆 Morges → Lausanne → Orbe: ~1h

• Scenery: Flowing river, cascading falls, rocky gorge walls, lush forests.

• Tip: Option to continue to Vallorbe Caves if energy allows.

🧺 2. Lac des Joncs – Les Paccots (Fribourg)

• Type: Easy loop

• Length: ~1.5 km (extendable to 3–4 km)

• Duration: 45 min to 1.5 hours

  • Start Point: Les Paccots

Public Transport:
🚆 Morges → Lausanne → Châtel-St-Denis → Bus to Les Paccots: ~1h 40 min

• Highlights:

  • A small mountain lake with ducks and frogs 🐸

  • Wooden footpath around the lake

  • Picnic tables and alpine pastures

  • Educational trail for kids

The Astropléiades trail on the Pléiades 

Location

• Region: Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut, above Vevey, Canton of Vaud

• Start point: Les Pléiades summit station (after funicular ride from Blonay)

• End point: Same as start (circular or out-and-back trail)

Trail Summary

• Type: Easy, educational, partially looped or out-and-back

• Length: ~2.5 km (can be extended slightly with adjacent paths)

• Walking Time: 1 to 2 hours (leisurely pace with kids)

• Elevation: ~100 m gentle elevation change

Trail Highlights

• Planet Trail (Sentier des Planètes):
  
  

  • A scaled model of the solar system: walk from the Sun to Pluto, learning facts at each station.

  • The distances between the planet models are scaled to represent their real distances in space.

  • Educational Boards: Each planet station has fun facts and drawings.

  • Nature: Open meadows, pine forests, and wide grassy paths.

  • Scenic Views:

  • Panoramic views of the Alps, Lake Geneva, and La Riviera from various lookout points.

  • Family-Friendly

    1. Benches and picnic areas

    2. Mostly flat, stroller-friendly in dry conditions (off-road strollers recommended)

    3. Wildlife spotting (cows, birds, butterflies)
       
       

🍽️ Food Options

• Picnic: Several scenic picnic tables along the trail.
  
  

• Mountain Restaurant:

  • Le 1209 at Les Pléiades (near the funicular station) offers meals, drinks, and panoramic seating.