Chamby lies at an altitude of about 749 metres, with views opening up from here across Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps. The village brings together the history of the Blonay–Chamby museum railway and hiking trails through the landscape. The railway offers a unique perspective on the Vaud Riviera, while trails around Chamby provide panoramic views of the Montreux region and beyond.
Explore the historic museum railway
Chamby’s historic railway station serves as the starting point for the Blonay–Chamby museum railway. Its section is three kilometres long; the railway runs from Blonay via Chamby to Chaulin-Musée. Blonay–Chamby is Switzerland’s oldest museum railway line and the country’s first living railway museum. A volunteer-run association operates the museum trains on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October, as well as on some public holidays. Check the timetable before your visit.
The collection comprises around 80 metre-gauge railway vehicles, including steam locomotives, electric trams and elegant Belle Époque carriages. About 70 per cent of the vehicles are kept in working order. The museum visit also includes a coaling platform, a living reminder of the era when steam power shaped the railways.
The journey passes along sections on steep slopes, through a tunnel and over a viaduct. The railway section also features a steep gradient. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Lake Geneva and the Riviera; the line runs above the Vaud Riviera. This lets you experience the landscape from a different perspective than the trails around Chamby.
Locomotive history and literary traces
One particularly tangible piece of the collection’s history is the G 3/3 No. 5 steam locomotive, named Bercher. Built in 1890 for the Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher railway, it is one of Switzerland’s oldest locomotives and is also considered the oldest in the canton of Vaud. After previously being installed as a monument in a playground in Feldkirch, Austria, it was rescued by Blonay–Chamby in 1973 and returned to service in 1985.
Ernest Hemingway is also connected with Chamby: during his first visit to Switzerland, he stayed at the Pension de la ForĂŞt in January 1922. This historical trace adds a glimpse of the visitors and stories associated with the village to its railway focus; it is not a reference to present-day accommodation.
Hiking trails and different stages
Those who prefer to explore on foot will find hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels around the museum. The Sentier des 22 Contours runs between Chamby and Azot. A section of footpath between Chamby and Les Avants can be walked as a route in its own right; afterwards, you can continue by train to Montreux. Check the current train service for this journey.
For planning purposes, one hiking route is listed as taking about three hours and 15 minutes, provided that the ascent from Les Avants to Sonloup is made by funicular. This is an estimate and depends on conditions and the availability of the transport service. On foot, this ascent involves 450 metres of elevation gain. For the hiking routes, ascents are around 250 to 300 metres of elevation gain—except for variant 3—while descents can involve up to 600 metres. These figures help distinguish the variants by duration and elevation profile.
Views, daffodils and a break
The railway and hiking trails offer different viewpoints: from the train, you can see Lake Geneva and the Riviera, while trails around Chamby provide panoramic views of the Montreux region and beyond. Between Azot and Les Avants, views of the daffodil meadows open up during the May flowering season. The flowering period varies from year to year. The blossoms also have a regional historical connection: during the Belle Époque, they were considered the main attraction of the year in May in Montreux and the higher elevations of the Vaud Riviera.
For a break, the Buffet de la Gare de Chaulin serves several hot and cold menus. The Buffet de Chaulin has a sunny terrace available all day. This makes it easy to combine a visit with a meal break without having to follow a set route linking the different railway and hiking options.
Discover more destinations: Chardonne, Blonay, Les Avants, Caux, L'etivaz, Vevey, La Lécherette, Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz.
Go to the main travel overview: Riviera-Pays-D'enhaut.
