There are over 300km of hiking trails in the area surrounding VIllars. 
Rich forges on past the dormant chair lift on his way to Chaux Ronde.
We glance only occasionally at the 600 metre drop off.
The midday sun still projects long shadows on these steep cliffs.
A clear view of Les Diablerets.
Chalets are roofed with tiny shingles, the size of playing cards.
Weathered wood timbers rise up to form the Swiss homes, some dating from the 18th century.
Rich navigates his way along the path dodging bovines and their patties. |
EXCERPT FROM SARA’S JOURNAL September
12, 1999
Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
Chocolate Machines Chaux Ronde (2014 metres, 8.5 km, 5 hours)
In the summertime, the gondola from Barboleuse to Les Chaux runs every day in July and
August and for the first three weekends in September. After that it closes up until the
first snowfall, at which point it runs on the weekends. In winter it runs permanently for
the skiers beginning on December 15th. All this information I received from the
portly lift operator, who’s dipping into something stronger than Ovalmaltine at 11
am. His Swiss-French is laced with de-icer, though it’s maybe 25 degrees.
At Les Chaux we can climb the 400 or so metres to the Chaux Ronde – the highest
point for hiking in these parts at 2014 metres. From here there’s a 360 degree view
of the surrounding peaks, including 4807 metre Mont Blanc in France, atmospheric beyond
our sunny saddle, with a jagged, truly Alpen profile. All around us is the jangle
of hefty bells – those wide, hammered instruments you see on Swiss crests and on the
labels of cheese and chocolate. Maneuvering between the solid, crusty patties we descend
past the sheep pastures, through a shrubby, cricket-consumed forest and into the meager
hamlet of Taveyanne. This is where the clanging is deafening. The village, at 1649 metres,
is a small meadow of typically Swiss homes – unvarnished pine chalets with
heart-holes in the shutters, fresh shingles, lace curtains and geraniums. All around the
jersey cows chew their cud robotically, staring off into space, flapping eyelashes,
ringing uncontrollably from the leather straps around their necks. Rich swallows the last
of the hazelnut milk chocolate – imperative for Alp-hiking sustenance. Padding
through the pasture-village (for they graze right up to the doorsteps) I sense a sigh of
relief from my sweet companion. No shortage of chocolate machines here. |
Sara savours the best way to climb the steep parts.
Sara starts out on the final leg to Chaux Ronde.
Straight down the ridge we can see the cross-country valley of Solalex. 
We take a moment to look back at our 600 metre ridge walk.
Mushrooms hide amongst the tall grass.
The hamlet of Taveyanne is a weekend hiker's hub.
Chocolate machines rest and chew by the back porch.
Jersey cows take advantage of the remaining warm summer days.
|
