Rochers de Naye
2,042 m
Switzerland
- Elevation
- 2,042 m
- Prominence
- 582 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Path closedReported 1 Jun 2026
The path through the inside of the Grotte de Naye has been closed since early June 2026 because rock blocks, destabilised by the melting of the old ice inside the cave, are moving. It is not expected to reopen before the end of 2027 at the earliest. The path around the outside of the cave and the marked trail from the Col de Bonaudon to the summit remain open. (Date given to the month only.)
rts.ch
Routes
1Sources differ: T2 (randonnees.ch (Les Avants–Col de Jaman–Rochers de Naye))
The usual walk to Montreux's mountain: from the Col de Jaman (1,512 m) past the Dent de Jaman and the La Perche rack-railway stop, down slightly and up a steep, stony couloir to the Sautodoz chalet, then on a broad path to the summit station and the top. About 650 m of ascent and 2–2½ hours; the train can be used for the way down.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 5.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +730 m
- −200 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,042 m
- Time Up
- 3h 28m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 45m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Col de Jaman (1,512 m), where there is a restaurant and parking, follow signs for the Rochers de Naye. The path climbs south past the rocky Dent de Jaman, skirts the Merdasson on its west side and reaches the La Perche stop (1,799 m) of the Montreux–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway. From La Perche the path traverses south-south-west, losing height to about 1,680 m, then climbs a long, steep couloir with loose stones to the alp chalet of Sautodoz (about 1,820 m). This is the steepest part of the walk and the one place where care is needed, especially when wet or when old snow lingers. Above Sautodoz the path joins the broad main trail and climbs to the Rochers-de-Naye terminus (1,970 m); the summit is a few minutes beyond. Most people descend by train to Montreux or back to Jaman. On foot, return the same way, or descend east over the Grande Chaux de Naye to the Col de Bonaudon and the Jaman valley; the path through the Grotte de Naye on that side is closed (see notices). Allow 2–2½ hours up from the Col de Jaman, or about 3 h 50 from Les Avants station.
Start
Col de Jaman1,511 m
- Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway to the summit station
- Rack railway from Montreux (about 55 minutes, hourly, all year) with stops at Caux, Jaman and La Perche; MOB train from Montreux to Les Avants for the walk to the Col de Jaman.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Col de Jaman → Rochers de Naye | 5.0 | 730 | 200 | 3h 28m |
Waypoints
- Col: Col de Jaman1,511 m
Restaurant and car park
- Feature: Dent de Jaman1,849 m
Passed on its flank; optional steep side trip with chains
- Station: La Perche1,792 m
- Feature: Sautodoz1,817 m
- Station: Rochers-de-Naye1,970 m
- Summit: Rochers de Naye2,042 m
Key Passages
- Steep, stony couloir from La Perche to Sautodoz
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
Montreux's mountain (2,042 m): a limestone crest high above Lake Geneva, reached all year by a rack railway from the lakeshore and in summer by steep but straightforward paths from the Col de Jaman, Caux or Villeneuve.
The Rochers de Naye rise directly above Montreux and Villeneuve on the ridge between the Lake Geneva basin and the Sarine valley, on the Vaud–Fribourg border. From the top the view drops 1,670 m to the lake and takes in the Jura, the Dents du Midi and, on clear days, Mont Blanc. Its highest neighbour and parent peak is the Tour d'Aï.
The mountain is heavily visited. The Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway (opened to the summit in 1892, extended down to Montreux in 1909) runs hourly all year to a terminus at 1,970 m, a few minutes below the top, where there are restaurants, a marmot park and the La Rambertia alpine garden. Walkers have a choice of paths: the most popular starts at the Col de Jaman and finishes up a steep, stony couloir to Sautodoz; others come up from Caux, Glion and Sonchaux, or follow the long ridge from Malatraix.
The cliffs carry rock climbs, winter gully climbs and a via ferrata (K5 at its hardest finish). The cave of the Grotte de Naye on the east side, once a popular part of the round from the Col de Bonaudon, is closed for safety reasons.
Climbing Notes
An easy objective for a fit walker: about 650 m of ascent from the Col de Jaman, 1,175 m from Les Avants, or 1,600 m on foot from Montreux. The only real care is needed in the steep, stony couloir below Sautodoz, where old snow can linger into June; wear boots with good grip and use poles if you have them. The season for walkers runs from about June to October. Many people walk up and take the train down. In winter the summit remains reachable by train, but the paths are under snow and the couloirs are avalanche terrain.
History
The Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway opened in 1892, worked by steam until its electrification in 1938; the Montreux–Glion section followed in 1909. The line is now run by MVR under the GoldenPass brand.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Train only; paths snowbound
- Apr
- Snow in the couloirs
- May
- Lingering snow on north-facing slopes and couloirs
- Jun
- Old snow possible in the Sautodoz couloir early in the month
- Jul
- Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
- Oct
- Shorter days; first snow possible
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Rack-railway fare if used (return from Montreux about CHF 70 for adults; check current prices)
- Rules
- The path through the inside of the Grotte de Naye is closed for safety; use the marked path that bypasses the cave
- Getting There
Montreux
Geneva (GVA)
- Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway from Montreux station, hourly all year, about 55 minutes, with stops at Glion, Caux, Jaman and La Perche
- MOB train from Montreux to Les Avants or Les Cases for the walk via the Col de Jaman
- By car to the Col de Jaman (1,512 m) from Montreux via Les Avants
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche