Characteristics

ViaFerrata.Org – tips

Take your picnic with you. The panorama from the summit is something to be savoured, and the restaurant accepts picnickers – buy a drink there, they are very friendly.
(Imagine! Free parking and picnicking in a resto – an oasis of contentment). Recommended!

The via is completely in the shade, so have something warm if the weather is not too hot. Moléson is a super resort!! After the via, try some summer sledging, a grass scooter or the Dévalkarte

In July, August and September, the cablecar is open till 10.30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The cable car is open daily from 09h00 till 18h00. Go up and admire the sunset; then relish the traditional “moitié-moitié” fondue and meringues with double cream in the restaurant at the summit.

Level

Information

Office du Tourisme 026 921 8500.
Outside of Switzerland ++41 26 921 8500.

Length and Altitude

Coordonnées GPS

N 46'33'363
E 007'33'363
Alt. 1'522 m.

When can you climb it

May - October

Times

From the park: 20 minutes from the cable car (top)
Via Ferrata:   2h
Back to the park:  Take the telecabine and if you took your mountain bike, enjoy the ride

By Road

Take the Vevey-Berne motorway (A 12); exit at Bulle. Go through the town and
follow the Moléson/Gstaad road to Le Moléson.

By train

To Bulle and then by Bus. Contact the CFF, for schedule and price
From Montreux: Montbovon until  Gruyères Gare, then take the Bus to Moléson-sur-Gruyères.

To the start  of the viaferrata

It’s quite simple. In Moléson, park near the funicular station (free!). You can’t miss it.
From the parking area, make your way to Plan Francey, on foot (1¼ hrs) or by funicular (7 mins; departure on the hour and every 20 mins; Fr.14 return).

At Plan Francey, you can rent via ferrata equipment.

From Plan Francey follow the via ferrata signposts for about 20 minutes to the foot of the rock face. Take the left-hand route. (To the right is another via, n° 515) 

Viaferrata climbing

The via crosses the north face of the Moléson, passes by the Croix du Petit Moléson and ends up on the summit of the mountain.

The first section is fairly simple, serving as a good warm-up. You clamber athletically up some attractive chimneys. The route is beautifully designed.

You are entitled to the few slightly overhanging passages that call on your strength: They are not long and there is always a shelf nearby to take a rest on. But beware, beginners must engage a guide! This is not a via for everyone. The nearer you get to the top the more demanding it becomes... A splendid chimney with a pitch that tires the arms.

The final section is absolutely superb with an exit under an overhanging stone roof. It is very demanding and presents a lot of problems for inexperienced via climbers. (beginners are not welcomed....)

The via is very well equipped. – sometimes, almost too much so. But there is plenty of opportunity to be in contact with the rock and it is very enjoyable.
For tall people, it gets a bit complicated because of the overhangs…it wasn’t designed with lanky climbers in mind.

Descent

The cable stops at the small hill in the middle. From there you can walk back down to your car via Tsuatsau (2½ hrs) or via Gros Plané (1¾ hrs) or take the cablecar (4 mins to the top station).

You cannot take your mountain bike to the via summit, the descent is too rock&roll…

In brief, this via ferrata is pure delight, and we wish you lots of it.

Lodging - Hotel - Restaurant

Contact the Tourism Office. Le Moléson is a very cool resort with a lot of activities for kids and teenagers. Stay at least one night. It worth it

 Pictures

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