Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut

Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut is a regional nature park in western Switzerland, straddling the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg. It lies in the Limestone Pre-Alps, in a landscape of meadows, pastures and cheesemaking villages. The park is associated with Grandvillard in the Gruyère region, and its coordinates are roughly 46.47° N, 7.11° E.

Where is the park and how big is it?

The park covers around 180 km² of the Limestone Pre-Alps, at altitudes from roughly 800 to 2,500 metres. Most of it lies between 800 and 2,000 metres. It stretches from the area around Montreux on Lake Geneva towards Bulle, and from Gstaad across to Gruyères. That brings together two distinct worlds: the French-speaking villages and pastures of Fribourg, and the mountain valley of the Pays-d’Enhaut in Vaud.

How did it come about?

The association that created and manages the park was founded in February 2006. Its aim was to establish and run a regional nature park, an area where landscape protection goes hand in hand with local economic life. This is not a strict reserve. People still live, work and produce food here, and culture and nature are treated as a single whole.

Which municipalities belong to it?

Membership has changed over time. A 2009 newsletter listed fourteen communes, including Charmey, Cerniat, Crésuz, Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, Bas-Intyamon, Grandvillard, Haut-Intyamon, Rossinière, Château-d’Œx, Rougemont, Ormont-Dessous, Veytaux, Villeneuve and Montreux. Later park publications refer to seventeen communes. Before you travel, check the current list on the park's official website.

What should you taste?

Farming here centres on dairy. Three cheeses with protected designation of origin are produced in the park: L’Étivaz AOC, Gruyère AOC and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOC. For food lovers this is a main reason to visit: you can look in at a cheese dairy, buy directly from a producer or try the local cheese in a restaurant. Note that Vacherin Fribourgeois is a Fribourg cheese rather than a product exclusive to the park.

How to plan a visit

The altitude range and varied terrain make the park suitable in every season. Summer brings pastures, walking trails and Alpine views. In winter the Pays-d’Enhaut valley and the Gstaad area draw skiers and quiet hikers. Specific routes, dairy opening hours and seasonal offers change from year to year, so check the park's website before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park? In western Switzerland, across the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg, in the Limestone Pre-Alps.

How large is it? About 180 km², with altitudes from around 800 to 2,500 metres.

When was it founded? The founding association was formed in February 2006.

Is it a strict nature reserve? No. It is a regional nature park where landscape protection sits alongside farming, crafts and tourism.

Which cheeses are made nearby? Gruyère AOC, L’Étivaz AOC and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOC.

How do I get there? The area can be reached from Montreux, Bulle and Gstaad. Check Swiss rail and bus timetables and the park's website for connections to a specific municipality.