Gentle hills, forests and a botanical trail shape the landscape around Attalens; from the Le Creux-Guillod trail, views extend to the Alpine foothills. The Château d’Attalens, guided alpaca walks and the market add culture, activities and village life. Practical route lengths and timings are available to help you plan.
Landscape and trails
Attalens lies in a valley shaped by the Rhône Glacier, between Mont-Vuarat and Mont-Pèlerin. Its landscape is characterised by gentle hills, meadows and forests. Elevations range from 703 m on the banks of the Broye near Franex to 985 m at the summit of Mont-Vuarat. Attalens is also on the road between Vevey and Palézieux.
The Sentier botanique d’Attalens leads through forest and undergrowth. About 50 species of trees and shrubs grow along the trail, and information panels describe the tree species. There are also sculptures carved into tree trunks. The trail thus combines information about plants with artworks along the same route.
The Le Creux-Guillod trail is 5.6 km long. It initially follows the road below the castle as far as the former gendarmerie. It then continues to the edge of the canton of Vaud, where hikers can enjoy views of the Alpine foothills. At 13 km, the Nordic walking route is the longer of the two routes described here.
The Nordic walking route is listed as taking 3 hours 20 minutes, with 277 m of ascent and 277 m of descent; it is rated easy. You can start at the bus stop in the village centre or at En Priolla, point 707 on the map. Check the latest route details before setting out. If you plan to start at the bus stop, it is also a good idea to check the timetable.
Castle history and village life
The medieval Château d’Attalens was first mentioned in 1068 and later came into the possession of the Lords of Oron. It stands on the former Roman road between Vevey and Moudon and is now privately owned. Wall paintings, probably dating from 1616, were discovered during restoration work at the castle in 2024. The village is also home to the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption.
The Marché de la Place Jaune is usually held at the Place du Village on the last Friday of the month, from 5 to 10 pm. Local produce and an apéritif are available. Check the specific date before visiting so that your plans match the market date.
Guided alpaca walks
RandoAlpagas is a traditional farm in Attalens that welcomes guests on guided walks with alpacas and/or a llama. A short walk with two alpacas takes about 20 minutes, followed by a visit where you can get to know the alpacas and the llama up close. There is also a walk with two alpacas that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. These different durations can help you plan your visit. A homemade snack is available by reservation.
Discover more destinations: La Verrerie, Granges and Châtel-Saint-Denis.
Go to the overview of the region: Veveyse.
