A summit in eastern Vaud

The village Gsteig at the foot of the passes Sanetsch and Col du Pillon did not get its name by chance; it is said to derive from the Old High German word "staiga", which means ascent. The days of pack animals, when these passes were still important for trade, are over, and on Col du Pillon it is mostly tourist activity. Most excursionists stand in line at the pass summit for the cable car to the Glacier-des-Diablerets area. Those who start their hike here will not likely face traffic jams. In less than half an hour Lac Retaud with its inviting restaurant is reached. In the morning the doors are still closed because the restaurant only opens at 10:30 a.m.

Gently ascending, the hiking trail continues toward La Marnèche, then over the Alp Isenau to Col des Andérets and over the broad northern ridge of La Palette to the summit. A magnificent panoramic view rewards the ascent: over Col du Pillon to the glaciated peaks of the Diablerets, to the deep blue Lake Arnen, or over the village Les Diablerets up to the Dents du Midi. Those not free from fear of heights should not step too close to the southern edge of the summit as it drops nearly vertically.

From the summit you first return the same way to Col des Andérets, then on the eastern side around La Palette to Col de Voré. The descent from this pass is temporarily quite steep and rough and requires surefootedness. At Lac Retaud the circle closes, and the restaurant is open unless it is a rest day. While enjoying a catered break, you can daydream, look back to the summit of La Palette, or stroll leisurely around the lake. You can take your time; the return path to Col du Pillon is completed quickly.