Surroundings, Montreux

To reach the Château Châtelard take Rue de la Gare from the Montreux station; then left along Avenue de Belmont and into a road which climbs up in sharp bends (daffodils in flower in May). On the left is the massive Château Châtelard, built by Jean de Gingins as a refuge for the people of Montreux in 1476. Partly destroyed by the Confederates it was later rebuilt; the large dungeon is of north Italian style.

From Château Châtelard cross N 9 and continue uphill in long bends, via the villages of Fontanivent (559 m/1,834ft), Chernex (603 m/1,978ft), Sonzier (664 m/2,179ft) and Chamby (752 m/2,467ft; Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; light railroad to Blonay).

From Chamby the road climbs, along the east side of Mont Cubly, towering above the Gorge de Chauderon. 9km/6mi: Les Avants (974 m/3,196ft), a summer and winter resort high above the valley of the Baye de Montreux. 3km/2mi farther on is the Col de Sonloup (1,158 m/3,799ft; hotel), which can also be reached from Les Avants by funicular.

Col de Jaman is situated 14km/9mi from Montreux. Leave by Rue de la Gare and the district of Les Planches; then a road which runs uphill in a wide curve. After 3km/2mi is the first stop: Glion (692 m/2,270ft), with beautiful views of the lake and the Alps; funicular down to Territet.

From Glion the road starts to climb steeply, with numerous sharp bends for 3.5km/2mi to Caux (1,054 m/3,458ft), a health resort in a magnificent situation, with extensive views; meeting-place of the "Moral Rearmament" movement.

From Caux there is a cog-railroad to the popular skiing area (ski-lift) on the Rochers de Naye, and from the upper station (1,973 m/6,473ft; hotel) it is a 10-minute climb to the summit (2,045 m/6,710ft), which has superb views of the Alps and Lake Geneva.The Alpine Garden "la Rambertia" is open in July and August.

From Caux a mountain road runs up 7.5km/5mi to the Col de Jaman (1,516 m/4,974ft; restaurant), with far-ranging views.

From Montreux to Lally in the Pléiades it is 15km/9mi along a mountain road. Leave on the Lausanne road, and in Clarens turn right onto a road which crosses the N 9 and winds its way uphill via Chailly (485 m/1,591ft) and comes in 6km/ 4mi to Blonay (623 m/2,044ft), where Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) spent his last years. The castle dates from the 12th C. The town, which for administrative purposes is part of Vevey. From here there is a cog- railroad to the Pléiades (4.7km/3mi), 25 minutes.

The road from Blonay to the Pléiades climbs in sharp bends, passing a side road on the right to the spa (sulfurous water) of L'Alliaz (1,044 m/3,425ft). 9km/6mi Lally (1,237 m/4,059ft), at the end of the road. From here it is four minutes on the cog-railroad from Blonay or 20 minutes on foot to the Pléiades (1,364 m/4,475ft; pension and restaurant), from which there is a beautiful view.