Lac de Gruyères — loop from Corbières

Lake Gruyère, or Lac de la Gruyère in French, is a reservoir in Switzerland. It is located in the canton of Fribourg between the towns of Bulle and Fribourg and in the Gruyère district and the Saane district. The island Île d’Ogoz is located in the lake. There are many different ways to hike around Lake Gruyère. The bridge at Corbières divides the lake into a (larger) northern part and a (smaller) southern part. We were in the southern area. In Broc, the hiking trail leads straight past the “Maison Cailler”. The chocolate factory can be visited daily (highly recommended!) The Electrobroc hydroelectric power station is also in the immediate vicinity and is also worth a visit. A beautiful hike, we enjoyed it. Next time we will start the route to the left of the lake, as there are a lot of ups and downs and lots of steps, the other side is flatter for the return. In this way we start with the difficult side and end with the easier side.

Broc - Cobasier Stägeli on Stägeli abe - again and again. In the return flat to Broc😅

Preferably, go around clockwise from Corbières

The tour is not possible after heavy rain. The hiking trail is then partly under water. Otherwise very nice, I can recommend it.

Lake Gruyère, or Lac de la Gruyère in French, is a reservoir in Switzerland. It is located in the canton of Fribourg, between the towns of Bulle and Fribourg, and in the Gruyère and Sarine districts. The island Île d'Ogoz lies within the lake. Lake Gruyère offers a variety of hiking options. The bridge near Corbières divides the lake into a (larger) northern section and a (smaller) southern section. We hiked in the southern section. In Broc, the hiking trail leads directly past the "Maison Cailler." The chocolate factory can be visited daily (highly recommended!). The Electrobroc hydroelectric power station is also located nearby and is also worth a visit. This time, we started the loop on the left side of the lake, as this section is a bit more challenging due to its many inclines, declines, and numerous steps. The right side, on the other hand, is flatter and therefore ideal for the return journey. So we start with the challenging route and leave the easier one for last.

We set off in Corbières – with thick fog – autumnal, fresh, mystical. My backpack is on, my shoes still squeak a little in protest – but what the heck, they have no choice. I generously promise my legs a chocolate in Broc, and the motivation is there 😋 The path first leads through the fog-shrouded forest – but I know it's not far away – the sun 🌞. Although I'm hiking directly above the lakeshore, I can only guess at its surface beneath the light pink mist. A beautiful, mushroom-lined forest path with many small bridges and steps leads along the lake, constantly up and down. Somewhere in the thick fog, I hear a cow crying loudly – I wonder if the farmer overslept? 🐮 Along the way, I stumble not only over wet roots and stones, but also over stories. One of them is that of La Catillon, actually Catherine Repond from Villarvolard, right on Lake Gruyère. She lived in the 18th century, earning her meager living by spinning and begging – in a strongly Catholic region, this seemed offensive, and so she was accused of witchcraft in Fribourg in 1731. Under torture, she confessed, was executed, suffocated, and then burned. She is considered the last woman in French-speaking Switzerland to be killed for witchcraft. Today, a square in Fribourg commemorates her. And yet she also lives on in legend: It is said that she was once seen dancing on the Moléson during a violent thunderstorm, surrounded by blazing clouds. Whether true or superstition, such stories not only make me smile as I continue walking, but also give me food for thought. Soon I reach Botterens and then Broc. And there – drum roll – the Maison Cailler awaits. I imagine the scent of the finest cocoa in the air, almost forcing me to cancel the rest of the hike and embark on a chocolate marathon instead. I stand my ground, but at least I take a bar with me – for the soul. https://www.cailler.ch/de/maison-cailler-besuchen/erlebnisse/museum-besuch?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19659608063&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItMnRgIv7jwMV6amDBx1R1QfiEAAYASAAEgJtQ_D_BwE#gad_source_1 After Broc, the tour becomes truly picturesque: gentle bays, shimmering water, and the Moléson behind me – I don't see any burning clouds… Back towards the Corbières, my legs now almost run by themselves, and I realize how relaxing a lakeside walk like this can be – no summits, no drama, just the joy of hiking. This tour is like a good chocolate mix: a little sweet, a little strong, sometimes surprising, but always a delight. And it shows me again: hiking doesn't have to be exhausting – the main thing is that it makes you want more.

Another round in the flatlands 😉 A typical lake tour in spring. I circumnavigated the northern part of the Gruyère Lake (reservoir) last spring on almost exactly the same day (tomorrow 😉). I feel sick when I think back to it 🫣 That was my ultimate limit tour of the whole year. Everything hurt at the end and I literally had to sneak to the finish 😅 (both knees, hip, foot 🤦🏻‍♂️). That was the first long tour after the winter break and then immediately the longest of the whole past year with almost 32km including 900 meters of altitude (in winter I only had short tours far under 20km length). I had totally underestimated that. I was thinking of a leisurely hike around the lake, without many meters of altitude and no special fitness requirements. Well, this year I am better prepared. Everything easy 🥳. The southern part is only half as long with half as many meters of altitude. I started in the middle of the lake, in Corbières, where there is a bridge over the narrowest part of the Gruyère Lake. What can I say - this part of the lake is simply beautiful to hike 👌🏼🥳 In contrast to the northern part, where you walk several kilometers on asphalt side roads and otherwise a lot on dirt roads or forest roads. In the southern part, all the paths were proper hiking trails today, perfectly maintained, or even narrow paths through the forest. The only exception was at the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc, where you walk around the grounds for a few hundred meters. Cailler is the oldest Swiss chocolate on the current market, by the way. It has been around since 1819 🤤😋 And how could it be otherwise, I went straight to the factory store on site. I caught myself a few meters before the entrance, pulled the emergency brake and turned around. Conquered my inner pig 😊 I know how I am. I would have bought everything across the board and already devoured half of it today 😎 By the way. If I had @SebastianOPEN with me today, he would have definitely encouraged me to run a few kilometers and I wouldn't have been able to say no. A mix between trail running and running in the forest on soft ground 👍🏼 A dream 😊 My conclusion. Predicate "Hiking trails Gruyère Lake southern part very recommendable" and there are constantly turnoffs into the nearby villages, if you want to break off or maybe also stop for a bite 😉

Teddy 🐕 didn't want to come along - and then he actually quite enjoyed the ride with only gentle ups and downs and the occasional opportunity to cool off in the lake. A very nice ride! We went for a swim - after Teddy got mauled by a 🦢 yesterday at Lake Neuchâtel - he first checked out the surroundings 😇