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Moléson

2,002 m

Switzerland

Also known as Le Moléson, მოლეზონი

Le Moléson · მოლეზონი

Elevation
2,002 m
Prominence
509 m
Difficulty
2/10
Hike
Best Season
Jun–Sep
Routes
2

Routes

2
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SACT2Sources differ: T3 (visinand.ch trip report, June 2017 (T2/T3; short awkward stretch near Bonne Fontaine, some exposure between Gros-Moléson and Tsuatsau Dessus))HikeNormal route

Sources differ: T3 (visinand.ch trip report, June 2017 (T2/T3; short awkward stretch near Bonne Fontaine, some exposure between Gros-Moléson and Tsuatsau Dessus))

A steep, well-marked mountain path from the resort village of Moléson-sur-Gruyères past the Plan-Francey mid-station and the Petit-Plané alp to the summit restaurant and the 2,002 m top. About 900 m of ascent; the funicular and cable car allow shortening or descending without walking.

Elevation Profile

approximate line
1,0001,2501,5001,7502,0002,2500 km12345Moléson-VillagePlan-FranceyLe Moléson cable car station
Distance
5.8 km
one way
Ascent
+923 m
start → summit
High Point
2,002 m
Time Up
3h 53m
DIN 33466
Time Down
2h 42m
DIN 33466 · same way back

From the car park or funicular station at Moléson-sur-Gruyères (about 1,110 m) walk up through the village and pastures, or by the path along the Pènî stream past the Petites-Clés chalet, to Plan-Francey (1,520 m), the funicular top station with a restaurant (about 1 hour 15 minutes). A hillside path continues west to the Petit-Plané alp (detour possible to the Gros Plané alp dairy), then climbs steeply by Bonnefontaine onto the ridge near the cable-car top station (1,978 m) and the summit restaurant. The summit, with its old survey signal and a 360° view from the Jura to Mont Blanc, is a few minutes further. Allow about 3 hours for 900–930 m of ascent. The path is white-red-white and mostly T2, but steep in places and, for a few tens of metres near Bonnefontaine, awkward underfoot (T3). Descend the same way or make a loop down the south-east side past Tsuatsau Dessus and Gros-Moléson to Plan-Francey and the village (about 2 hours). The descent paths are slippery when wet; the cable car and funicular are an easy alternative while they are running.

Start

Moléson-Village1,113 m

  • Funicular Moléson-sur-Gruyères – Plan-Francey and cable car Plan-Francey – Le Moléson (daily early April to 1 November in 2026; last descent from the summit 17:50, later on Friday and Saturday evenings)
  • Train to Gruyères or Bulle, bus to Moléson-sur-Gruyères (funicular stop).
  • Parking at the trailhead

Stages

DayStagekmm ascentm descentTime
1Moléson-Village → Le Moléson5.8923383h 53m

Waypoints

  1. Station:
    Moléson-Village1,113 m

    Funicular base station and main car park of Moléson-sur-Gruyères

  2. Station:
    Plan-Francey1,519 m
  3. Feature:
    Petit-Plané1,492 m
  4. Lift:
    Le Moléson cable car station1,956 m
  5. Summit:
    Le Moléson2,002 m

Key Passages

  • Steep climb above Petit-Plané by Bonnefontaine
  • Short awkward section of path near Bonnefontaine

Equipment

0/3 packed
Safety
Footwear
Clothing

Downloads

Route confidence 75%
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Overview

The 2,002 m Moléson is the emblematic mountain of the Gruyère, a limestone summit above Gruyères with a funicular, cable car and summit restaurant, a steep marked path of about 900 m from Moléson-sur-Gruyères and two via ferratas on its north face.

The Moléson stands at the northern end of the ridge that runs north from the Dent de Lys and Teysachaux, the last notable heights between the Alps and the Swiss Plateau. From the top the view takes in the Jura, the Fribourg plateau, Lake Geneva and the Alps to Mont Blanc. It has been a symbol of the Gruyère and of Fribourg since the 19th century, and since 1960 lifts have made it one of the region's most visited summits.

Today a funicular climbs from the resort village of Moléson-sur-Gruyères (built from 1980) to Plan-Francey (1,520 m), and a cable car continues to just below the summit, where there is a restaurant. Walkers can do the whole climb on foot by a steep white-red-white path (about 3 hours, T2 with a short T3 section), or combine it with the lifts. On the north face, the via ferratas Le Pilier (K4) and La Face (harder) climb about 220–300 m of steep limestone above Plan-Francey.

Expect company on summer weekends. The summit ridge continues south-west to Teysachaux (1,909 m), a quieter, more exposed hike.

Climbing Notes

The hike needs ordinary fitness for about 900 m of steep ascent and sure footing on paths that are slippery when wet; it is accessible to experienced walkers and, with the lifts, to almost anyone. Allow a full half-day from the village, or ride the funicular to Plan-Francey and walk the last 480 m. For the via ferrata Le Pilier you need full via ferrata kit and helmet (hire at Plan-Francey), strong arms for vertical sections and an overhang, and dry weather; start in the morning before the sun hits the pillar. The lifts run daily from early April to 1 November (2026 timetable) with the last cable car down at 17:50, later on Friday and Saturday evenings.

History

The name is recorded as Moleisun in 1228. Hotel and railway projects of 1905–1908 were blocked by heritage campaigners; the first lifts and cable car arrived in 1960, the resort village in 1980, the funicular to Plan-Francey (replacing a gondola) in 1998, and the present summit cable car in 2011. The via ferrata La Face was built in 2004 and Le Pilier in 2005.

Season

Best Jun–Sep
  1. January: Not advisable
  2. February: Not advisable
  3. March: Not advisable
  4. April: Possible
  5. May: Good
  6. June: Best (best window)
  7. July: Best (best window)
  8. August: Best (best window)
  9. September: Best (best window)
  10. October: Good
  11. November: Possible
  12. December: Not advisable
Jan
Ski area; summit access by lift depends on wind and snow; winter hiking only on prepared trails
Feb
Ski season
Mar
End of ski season
Apr
Lifts run from early April; snow often lingers on the path
May
Usually clear of snow by late May
Jun
Good; via ferrata season starts mid-June
Jul
Best; busy at weekends
Aug
Best; afternoon storms possible
Sep
Good, quieter
Oct
Good in dry weather; via ferrata season ends mid-October
Nov
Lifts stop on 1 November; early snow possible
Dec
Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Fees
  • Funicular and cable car tickets (Magic Pass valid)
  • Via ferrata maintenance fee: CHF 4 adults, CHF 2 children
Getting There

Bulle (Gruyères nearby)

Geneva (GVA) or Bern (BRN)

  • Train to Bulle or Gruyères, then bus to Moléson-sur-Gruyères
  • By car: A12 exit Bulle, then via Gruyères to the large car park at Moléson-sur-Gruyères
  • Funicular Moléson-sur-Gruyères – Plan-Francey and cable car to the summit

Hazards

  • Exposure
  • Weather