Lac de Bretaye

Lac de Bretaye is a small alpine lake at about 1,800 m above sea level, in the municipality of Ollon in the canton of Vaud, high above Villars-sur-Ollon. It sits in the Alpes vaudoises beside the Col de Bretaye (1,806 m), facing the Grand Chamossaire. It is one of the easiest family walking destinations in this corner of Switzerland.

How do you get to Lac de Bretaye?

By cog railway. The red mountain train runs from Villars up to Bretaye station, on a line that links Villars with Bex in the Rhône valley. Visitors coming from Aigle or Bex first reach Villars (by bus or train) and then change to the mountain line. From Bretaye station the lakeshore is a short, gentle walk. A Swiss General Abonnement (AG) is accepted on the line, which helps anyone travelling the country on a single pass.

What is there to see?

A circular family path runs around the lake. It starts at the station, passes the small hamlet of Bretaye and follows the foot of the Grand Chamossaire. Along the way you also get a view of the Petit Chamossaire on the north-western slope. The terrain is gentle, so the walk suits children and anyone without mountain experience.

The appeal is the setting: still water framed by alpine meadows and rocky ridges. In summer it is a good spot for a picnic and photographs, and in winter the area turns into ski terrain and snowshoe country.

Which other lakes and trails are nearby?

Bretaye is a starting point for several routes:

• Lac Noir (about 1,715 m) lies close to the pass and combines easily with a visit to Bretaye.
• Lac des Chavonnes (about 1,690 m) is the goal of a route via Chaux-Ronde and Conche. From Bretaye station it takes roughly 15 minutes to reach the Lac Noir – Chaux-Ronde chairlift.
• The Bretaye – Grand Chamossaire – Petit Chamossaire loop climbs to the summit, follows the ridge, descends toward Lac Noir and returns to Bretaye. It can also be walked in reverse. Sources give the Petit Chamossaire as either 2,010 or 2,034 m.
• A snowshoe route from the Col de Bretaye to Lac des Chavonnes covers about 5.5 km at moderate difficulty. It takes around 2 h 25 min and runs from December to March.

When should you go?

The summer walk is at its best from June to September, when the paths are clear of snow. In winter the lake is under snow and the surroundings become routes for skiers and snowshoe walkers. At this altitude the weather changes quickly, so pack a warm layer even on a sunny day and check the forecast before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk to Lac de Bretaye from Villars? The cog train is the simplest way, but hiking trails also climb from the valley. They take more time and fitness than the train ride.

Is the lake loop suitable for children? Yes. Alpes vaudoises describes it as a family circular walk with a gentle profile that begins at the station.

How high is Lac de Bretaye? About 1,800 m above sea level. The Col de Bretaye stands at 1,806 m.

Can you visit in winter? Yes. The train runs up to Bretaye and marked snowshoe routes start nearby, for example to Lac des Chavonnes.