Ben Becker
Tour de la Dôle
Steps of the Tour de la Dôle - SuisseMobile n°116
This hike from Saint-Cergue offers a beautiful panorama and ends at an outlook point at 1,677 metres altitude.
After a hike of nearly half an hour, you are greeted by typical Jura landscape and surrounded by peace and quiet. A little higher, the vegetation changes, becoming more alpine and encircles the cirque of rocks of La Dôle. Buttercups and wild gentian stretch off into the distance. The panorama from the summit is majestic with Lake Geneva before you, the city of Geneva and its water spout to the west, and Mont Blanc to the south. A long descent, sometimes quite steep, goes through the trees.
After a hike of nearly half an hour, you are greeted by typical Jura landscape and surrounded by peace and quiet. A little higher, the vegetation changes, becoming more alpine and encircles the cirque of rocks of La Dôle. Buttercups and wild gentian stretch off into the distance. The panorama from the summit is majestic with Lake Geneva before you, the city of Geneva and its water spout to the west, and Mont Blanc to the south. A long descent, sometimes quite steep, goes through the trees.
Technical description
Duration : 360min
Length : 19km
Start at the station of St-Cergue; cross through the village in a southwest direction; after the roundabout, take the second road to the right to the "Vieux-Château".
Turn left above the houses; follow the path to the telecommunication antenna; the plateau at this spot offers a panoramic view of the lake; climb to the hillock at the entrance to the trees; this is the remains of the chateau of St-Cergue (14th-15th centuries); continue to the sawdust shed, passing above the ski slopes, then turn right into the forest.
After passing a group of buildings, follow the forest trail to the walking sign, then take a path through the woods at Guinfard. At the edge of the forest, descend towards the road at Vuarne, then follow it to the intersection with the route called "Chemin des Crêtes du Jura".
You come next to the Vuarne and La Dôle massif in the distance. Head left and follow the signs to the restaurant at Barillette. The view from the terrace opens again onto a broad panorama of Lake Geneva. Follow the paved road to the big antenna. The summit of La Dôle, with the white mushroom of the Skyguide radar station, comes into view. From the Col de Vuarne, head down towards the Châlet de la Dôle. Once past this point climb to the right to reach the ridge.
Once you've arrived, a breathtaking view spreads out before you.
On October 26, 1779, during a trip to Geneva, Goethe climbed to this spot and expressed these words with which one can only agree : "There are no words to describe the grandeur and beauty of this spectacle"
Once you have taken in the beauty of the scene, head towards the top station of the skilift at La Dôle then go down in the direction of Couvaloup de Crans. There you link up with the route to Trélasse, and from there across meadows to Givrine. The NStCM will take you back to St-Cergue.
Turn left above the houses; follow the path to the telecommunication antenna; the plateau at this spot offers a panoramic view of the lake; climb to the hillock at the entrance to the trees; this is the remains of the chateau of St-Cergue (14th-15th centuries); continue to the sawdust shed, passing above the ski slopes, then turn right into the forest.
After passing a group of buildings, follow the forest trail to the walking sign, then take a path through the woods at Guinfard. At the edge of the forest, descend towards the road at Vuarne, then follow it to the intersection with the route called "Chemin des Crêtes du Jura".
You come next to the Vuarne and La Dôle massif in the distance. Head left and follow the signs to the restaurant at Barillette. The view from the terrace opens again onto a broad panorama of Lake Geneva. Follow the paved road to the big antenna. The summit of La Dôle, with the white mushroom of the Skyguide radar station, comes into view. From the Col de Vuarne, head down towards the Châlet de la Dôle. Once past this point climb to the right to reach the ridge.
Once you've arrived, a breathtaking view spreads out before you.
On October 26, 1779, during a trip to Geneva, Goethe climbed to this spot and expressed these words with which one can only agree : "There are no words to describe the grandeur and beauty of this spectacle"
Once you have taken in the beauty of the scene, head towards the top station of the skilift at La Dôle then go down in the direction of Couvaloup de Crans. There you link up with the route to Trélasse, and from there across meadows to Givrine. The NStCM will take you back to St-Cergue.
Nyon Région Tourisme
Tourist office St-Cergue
The Tourist information St-Cergue is located right in the centre of the village, less than 200m away from the village’s ski slopes.
Office du Tourisme de St-Cergue
Place Sy-Vieuxville 3
1264 St-Cergue
info@st-cergue-tourisme.ch+41 22 360 13 14
Nyon Région Tourisme
Place du Vieux-Château - St-Cergue
Destroyed during the Burgundy Wars, today, the only remains left are where the Castle stood. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Grégoire Chappuis
Peak of "La Barillette"
“La Barillette” measured at 1,528m above sea level in the heart of the Jura Vaudois Nature Park. It is also one of the favourite spots for hikers to admire the unique panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Nyon Region Tourisme
Restaurant La Barillette
The restaurant offers exceptional panoramic views of Lake Geneva. Located at 1,450 metres above sea level, it offers a unique setting for visitors who come on foot or by car.
Booking in advance highly recommended
Opening hours: May to October, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm
Booking in advance highly recommended
Opening hours: May to October, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm
Ben Becker
Summit of La Dôle
The summit of La Dôle rises to an altitude of 1677 meters, from where you will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Lake Geneva the Alps. It is the second highest peak in the Swiss part of the Jura after the Mont Tendre.
©AnneMoscatello
Chalet-restaurant Cuvaloup de Crans
The Cuvaloup de Crans Alpine chalet located at 1,290 m above sea level on the Dôle mountain range is an establishment surrounded by nature which you can appreciate immensely from the panoramic terrace. Discover the specialities of the region in an authentic setting.
From the 1st of April to the 15th of June and from the 1st of October to the 15th of December, closed on Mondays!
Until 15 December, open only from Friday to Sunday.
From the 1st of April to the 15th of June and from the 1st of October to the 15th of December, closed on Mondays!
Until 15 December, open only from Friday to Sunday.
Chalet -Restaurant de Cuvaloup de Crans
Route de Cuvaloup 19
1264 St-Cergue
restaurant@cuvaloup-de-crans.ch+41 22 360 12 84