This loop trail near Montreux is specifically designed to visit the narcissus flowers that bloom in late May and early June. Along the way, the trail pass through fields and forests and visits a nice viewpoint over Lake Geneva.
Note: If you have young children, I would instead recommend the Les Pléiades narcissus trail, which has shorter and easier options for families.
| Location: | Les Avants, western Switzerland near Montreux |
| Trail Start: | Les Avants train station |
| By car: | Parking at the Les Avants train station From Montreux 15 mins, Geneva 1h15, Bern 1h10, Zurich 2h40 |
| By public transport: | Montreux train station From Montreux 22 mins, Geneva 1h35, Bern 2h10, Zurich 3hr10 |
| Trail: | 4.4 km, about 1hr30 |
| Elevation: | highest point 1175m / 90m up, 260m down |
| Condition: | dirt footpath, no strollers |
| Skill: | moderate |
| Open: | best late May for the narcissus flowers trail usually open May – Oct |
| More info: | www.lesavants.ch • www.narcisses.com • nearby webcam |
Trail Map
The trail is technically a loop, but you can skip some of it with the funicular train. I suggest riding up the funicular and hiking back down, as shown on the map here.
See trail map on Komoot.
This map shows approximately where the narcissus bloom. The blooms pop up at different times across this map, not all at the same time. See the Narcissus forecast.
How to get there
Les Avants is located in the mountains near Montreux.
By train: From Montreux, ride the train to the Les Avants stop, about 22 mins. This is the GoldenPass Line train, so it may be crowded with tourists going to Montreux.
By car: You can put Rte des Narcisses 63, 1833 Avants in your GPS. There is a small parking lot next to the train station – see on map.
Photo story
We rode the Les Avants funicular up to the trail. You can walk up instead if you want to save a bit of money.
The funicular ride is pretty short but saves you a bit of a climb.
From the top of the funicular, you have views of Rochers de Naye and Dent de Jaman peaks that you can climb another day.
View of the countryside north with more narcissus fields.
Trail start in the forest.
It was nice to escape the heat for awhile.
Trail leads to a couple viewpoints.
One of the first views of the narcissus flowers.
More forest.
A bit of a climb up to the viewpoint, but not too difficult.
At the viewpoint, you get long view of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains.
Looking down towards Vevey. A little hazy in the afternoon.
Lots of stairs down the mountain.
Now we reach the main narcissus fields. They are all fenced off so you cannot walk amongst the flowers.
Follow signs down to Les Avants.
The trail joins the service road a couple times.
Lots of other wildflowers on this trail.
Headed up a country road.
Nice views behind us.
Lots of narcissus carpeting this area.
Love those snowy peaks in the distance.
Read the signs and do not enter private property.
Some pink and purple flowers mixed in. Note the fence preventing you from entering the fields.
Descending to the Avants train station.
One of the nicest views here.
Last descent. It’s all over.
See more narcissus trails.
