Chernex lies at an altitude of around 580 metres on the western slope of Cubly, above Clarens, and is part of the hills of Montreux in Switzerland. You can explore the village through several themes: its hillside setting and winding lanes, hiking trails with different focuses, and its cultural and railway heritage. For planning your trip, this mainly means choosing between a scenic walk, a loop route with published figures, and a cultural hike with a historical connection.
Hillside setting and village character
Many houses in Chernex are built of wood in the typical Swiss chalet style and have sloping roofs. The timber construction and roof shape provide a distinct architectural reference point in the village: rather than focusing on a single building, you can look out for recurring forms as you walk. The condition and visibility of individual houses may change.
The winding lanes on the hillsides offer walkers views of Montreux and Lake Geneva. Individual viewpoints may vary depending on vegetation, construction work or weather. Views of the lake and the village are therefore part of exploring the lanes; the hillside setting shapes the character of the walk.
Two routes, different focuses
The “Hauteurs de Montreux” route passes through Montreux, Clarens, Chernex and Pallens before returning to Montreux. It is listed as 5.38 km long, with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Its technical difficulty is rated T1, or easy. Route details may be updated; check the information before setting out on a specific hike.
The cultural hiking route “Sur les traces de Mendelssohn 01” offers a different perspective. According to a route listing accessed in August 2026, it runs from Vevey through Montreux and Chernex to Les Avants and forms the first stage of a trail dedicated to Mendelssohn. For Chernex, the route refers to 6 August 1831; it uses the name “Charney” in this context.
The two routes have different emphases: the Hauteurs de Montreux is a loop route with a stated distance, duration and technical rating. The Mendelssohn route, by contrast, runs from Vevey to Les Avants and adds a named historical connection to the route. If you are planning a loop hike with published figures, the first route offers specific details; if you would like to include cultural references along the way, the second is a separate option.
Railway heritage and cultural attractions
The MOB workshops are also among Chernex’s distinctive railway connections. The panoramic windows of the GoldenPass Panoramic trains were specially designed by the MOB workshops in Chernex. In addition, MOB vehicles have been completely overhauled in the workshops. Design and maintenance show two different sides of this railway heritage: the creation of a distinctive train feature and comprehensive work on rolling stock.
The Chapelle de Chernex is located at Ch. de Chaméroz 2, 1822 Chernex. The village’s cultural character also includes a musical heritage, as well as events and concerts organised throughout the year. Specific programmes and participating artists may change; check current dates if you would like to include a concert in your travel plans. Together with the routes and chalet architecture, these features give you more than a single focus for an outing: you can explore Chernex through its landscape, cultural history and railway heritage.
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