IN THE HEART OF NATURE

Exceptional biotopes, high and low marshes, alluvial zones, meadows and dry pastures offer preserved spaces for a rich and varied fauna and flora. Not forgetting the Pro Natura reserves of Vanil Noir (between Charmey and Grandvillard) and La Pierreuse (Château-d'OEx).

A CHEESE-MAKING CIVILISATION

The legacy of 1,000 years of farming, the Park bears witness to a pastoral and cheese-making economy that continues today with three PDO cheeses (Le Gruyère, L'Etivaz and Vacherin Fribourgeois), as well as numerous local specialities, produced in particular at the Laiterie de Grandvillard dairy.

AN EXCEPTIONAL HERITAGE

The Park has inherited a formidable alpine heritage comprising alpine chalets, villages and hamlets and religious buildings. The town and castle of Gruyères, the Grand Chalet in Rossinière, the Maison du Banneret in Grandvillard, Chillon Castle, the Cluniac site at Rougemont and the Chartreuse at La Valsainte are all outstanding examples of this heritage.

A TOURIST DESTINATION

With the development of public transport at the end of the 19th century, tourism began to take hold, first in the summer in search of an idyllic pastoral civilisation, then in the winter with skiing.

TO DISCOVER FROM GRANDVILLARD

Grandvillard lies at the crossroads of three major itineraries designed by the Park to explore its most beautiful landscapes, on foot or by bike, and for all ages.

LE GRAND TOUR DES VANILS

HIKING THE PEAKS

With its eleven mountain stages, the Grand Tour des Vanils is designed for trained walkers. It is ideally enjoyed from June to September and takes in some of the Park's most beautiful scenery. Well served by public transport, it allows great flexibility from one to several stages.

THE CHEESE VIAS

FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE

This double itinerary closely follows the old communication routes, particularly those used to transport cheese over the Col de Jaman in the 17th and 18th centuries. Accessible to families or occasional hikers, the route is divided into 21 stages of between one and four hours' walking, all linked by public transport.

TOUR OF GRUYÈRE COUNTY

BY BIKE

An 80km loop, with a total ascent of around 1,600 metres, easily completed in two days, allows you to discover three regions of the Park: the Intyamon, the Pays-d'Enhaut and the Jogne valley. Electrically-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) make this route, including the Col du Mittelberg (1633 m), accessible to a wide public.

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR

Taking part in nature-based activities sometimes means crossing areas inhabited by animals that are sensitive to disturbance. The presence of walkers can cause them to flee, leading, for example, to the loss of precious energy in winter or the abandonment of their broods in summer.

The Park has drawn up a map showing the sensitivity of wildlife to leisure activities, in order to prevent any disturbance caused by its discovery activities and those of its partners.

Fact sheets summarising the rules to be observed for each type of outdoor activity, together with the corresponding maps, are available on the Park's website. They concern

- summer hiking

- winter hiking (snowshoeing and ski touring)

- cycling and mountain biking

- aerial sports (paragliding and hang-gliding)

- activities with dogs

- use of drones

- wild camping

More information on the Park's website.