Leysin Gebiet: Tour de Mayan, Tour de Famelon

SBB to Aigle and small railway to Leysin.  Then, up the cable car to Berneuse @ 2045M.  From there, a 6 hour hike to the towers Mayen and Famelon.  Ending back in Le Sepey, where we caught the bus (train under repair) back to Aigle and then SBB again.

Considering the fine summer weather, not so many people (uncrowded--nice).  Actually, more people later in the day (relaxed local, French-speaking hikers out to enjoy a sunset not concerned to finish early).  Crystal clear skies with only a few clouds later in the day.  The only problem on this trip was lack of water along the route and temperatures around 30 degrees C and in some places the route not marked as well as other parts of Switzerland, but never a big problem.

This walk is T4, but most sections are not so exposed.  One section on Tour de Mayen where fixed rope/chain is used for perhaps 5 meters.  Other sections where good balance is required walking rock to rock over unusual terrain as the trail twists and turns as one proceeds over the rocks.  Hardly any exposed trails where a fall would be life-threatening.  No equipment needed.  Just fitness to complete in 6 hours and stability on the feet.


Great 360 views from Tour de Mayen.  Mont Blanc, Dents de Midi, Eiger/Monch/Jungfrau, Lac de Geneve, Jura Mountains, Roche de Nayers, Le Moleson, Les Diablarets, many others.  This is a long descent: 2100 Le Famelon to 975 Le Sepey.  Another variant is to continue to Les Mosses and then take the bus back.  This saves you about 300 meters down, but costs you a couple more kilometers and time spent OV.