La Videmanette • Amazing hike by spiky peaks!!!

Location

La Videmanette is a mountain near Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland (see on Google Maps). The hike is reached by cable car from the Rougemont village, which is easily accessed by car or train.

Summer map overview

Here’s the summer map for the La Videmanette area (see interactive map online). The orange line is our trail.

Trail map

Here is the trail map for the La Videmanette loop. It’s 6.6 km loop trail that descends about 420 m, then climbs that same elevation back up. It took our family (with 2 teens) about 2hr45, walking pretty slow and taking lots of breaks.

See trail map on SchweizMobil • Komoot • AllTrails • OutdoorActive

This loop trail starts at the top of the Rougemont-La Videmanette cable car. It starts on a narrow path traversing a steep rocky slope, then through grassy alpine meadows along the ridge. There is a short detour to the La Videmanette peak, which is well worth the extra effort (pics of that below). Then steep switchbacks down to cow pastures. Then you join a service road for a couple km, not the best part of the hike. Then back up the mountain on a narrow footpath, gaining elevation rather quickly. Near the end, there is a tiny cable car that allows you to skip the last climb, which we did.

The trail is well trod and there are lots of signs and markers. But the signs don’t always list your destination. So I suggest downloading the trail map on your phone for reference.

Shorter hike option

If you don’t have the stamina for the full trail, I would recommend doing the start of the trail, including the peak detour, until you reach the switchbacks. Then turn around and hike back to the cable car station. This way you skip most of the elevation descent and climb, but you see the prettiest part of the hike. This version would be about a 2.5-3 km loop.  

Getting to Rougement

By car

Drive to the Rougemont village and follow signs to the La Videmanette cable car (46°29’10.4″N 7°12’34.6″E). There is parking adjacent to the cable car.

By public transport

Take a train to Rougement then a 500m walk to cable car as shown below. In summer 2021, trains from Gstaad to Rougement run hourly on the xx:35.

Ticket prices

In 2022, the cable car return trip costs CHF 45/adult, CHF 22.50/adult with SBB Half-fare/GA and children (6-15). Children under 6 and Junior Card travel free. Dogs are free. See current prices.

With the Gstaad Guest Card (free for overnight guests), this ticket costs CHF 19/adult, CHF 9/child (6-15). Learn more about Gstaad Guest Card.

Opening hours

La Videmanette is only open a short time in summer, from second week of July through third week of August. During this time, the cable car runs daily 9:00 – 16:30. The cable car may close due to poor weather and wind. See current operating times. See summer map with current lift status.

Where to eat

There is a restaurant and toilet at the upper cable car station, but no other services along the trail. As far as I saw, there were no official picnic areas along the trail. If you need picnic supplies, there is a small bakery and cheese shop in the village – Rue du Village 20, 1659 Rougemont.

What to wear & bring

Check the forecast and wear clothing appropriate for the weather. If there is any chance of rain or clouds, bring at least a light rain jacket in case the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Bring a sun hat and wear sunscreen. Most of this this trail is a narrow dirt footpath with stairs and other obstacles. I suggest sturdy hiking shoes with good tread and hiking sticks for the steeper sections. 

I would bring at least 1 liter of water per person and snacks, since there are no restaurants along the way. Fill up your water bottles beforehand as there are no drinking water fountains here.

Photo story of the trail

Here is the cable car station. You can buy your tickets here. There is a toilet here and at the mountain station above.

Riding up the cable car and looking back at the valley station, parking and Rougemont village.

Looking up to the La Videmanette mountain station.

Directly outside the cable car station, there is a restaurant with outdoor seating. We ate here at the end of our hike.

Starting our hike on the trail to our right, traversing the mountain.

You can start by following signs to Col de Jable and L’Etivaz. 

Stay on the upper trail. At the end, you will walk up on the lower trail you can see on the left.

Looking back at the cable car station and our trail.

At this split, you can optionally take the path on the left, which leads up to the peak. It’s a little tricky footing and near the cliff edge, but not excessively dangerous. If you prefer, stay on the main trail to your right, traversing the mountain. These two trails will join later.

We took the detour. This picture is looking down at the main trail below.

The view from the detour trail, absolutely recommended! The wildflowers were so lush up here in early August.

Walking along the ridge until we join the main trail again. The trail was faint and lumpy, easy to roll your ankle on this bit. So walk carefully. 

Now back to the main trail (see the red/white trail marker). At this trail sign, turn left and hike down the switchbacks in direction Col-de-Jable.

Making our way down the switchbacks.

The switchbacks ends in this field, where you follow a stream to the next trail junction.

At this fork, turn left walking direction Chalberhöni. After a few minutes, you join a dirt road that you’ll walk on for a couple km.

Looking back at the peaks.

Just a working farm here, no cafe. Turn left, continuing to follow the dirt road.

Now follow signs to Videmanette.

The dirt road is a gradual uphill, not my favorite part of the trail. On a hot summer day, we were thankful for the few shaded sections in the forest.

Another farm and again, no cafe or services. Stay left, continuing to follow the road.

Walk direction Videmanette.

At this fork, take the footpath uphill, leading to Videmanette.

Looking up the trail that winds its way up this mountain. 

Looking back at the fork in the road below.

This was a really pretty part of the trail. It would also be nice walking the opposite direction here.

This part was very muddy and torn up from lots of cows using this path. 

End of the climb for a bit. Now we walk across cow pastures for a bit. The cows were a little agressive and chased some of us.

I was looking forward to seeing the two lakes, but they were disappointing. First, they were very green, not a pretty blue color. And they were mostly fenced off, so you couldn’t walk around to get a nice picture angle.  

Here’s the other lake. Just a watering hole for the cows, not a destination.

Take a break and enjoying the gorgeous views.

Before the last climb, you reach this mini cable car that takes you up to the main cable car station. We chose to ride instead of hike and I don’t think we missed anything. The cable car is self-service, no staff are there. You push the call button outside the car, then get in, close the door and wait for the cable car operator above to start your ride. We thought we might have to pay for this ride, but they didn’t charge us anything. I couldn’t find information about pricing on their website, so it might be different when you go.

In this picture, you can see the trail for the last climb, the one we skipped. You can either walk on the dirt road, which is very steep with slippery gravel. Or you can walk on the switchbacks, which might be a bit easier. We did neither and took the mini cable car instead. 

We had lunch at the cable car restaurant. Typical Swiss mountain dishes, nothing special. They offer fondue. 

That’s all. Hope you visit La Videmanette someday and enjoy it as much as we did!