Col du Pillon – Arnensee: hike for hot autumn days

Actually, we had planned the “Alpness Trail” between Lauenen and Gsteig for last weekend. A hiking trail that promises a great panorama of Lake Lauenen and the Oldenhorn Group over a length of 13 kilometres, leads through the two idyllic villages of Gsteig and Lauenen and offers a highlight with the castle falls. But the announced warm weather made us doubt this plan. Do we really want to hike 800 meters uphill in the blazing midday heat? Waiting for the post bus at Gstaad train station, the final decision is made. The castle falls will be postponed until later. Instead, we take the post bus in the direction of Les Diablerets. A hike with three mountain lakes sounds more tempting in this weather, doesn’t it?

Start beim Col du Pillon

The “Three Lakes Hike” Col du Pillon – Lac Retaud – Arnensee is considered one of the most beautiful tours around Gsteig. It starts at the Col du Pillon, where the cable car to Glacier 3000 is also located. Numerous other migratory birds are on the road with us on this beautiful day. So we start the hike – not quite to my delight – as a group leader. The sound of clacking hiking poles from the people behind me pushes me forward. Passing lazily chewing cows, we hike uphill and soon reach the idyllically situated Lac Retaud directly opposite the mighty Glacier 3000. Sitting on the bench, I marvel at the panorama and let the other hikers pass by.

After a short break, we venture up towards the Col de Voré / Vieux Chalet. The hike from the Col du Pillon to Lake Arnen is not strenuous, but in the scorching sun we soon start to sweat.

After a good thirty minutes we reach the highest point and let the fantastic panorama with the nameless mountain lake in the foreground work its magic on us. The plateau is reminiscent of Scotland (this comparison would be even more apt in fog) and is full of blueberry bushes. If we had known this in advance, we would have taken a jar with us and picked enough blueberries to bake a cake. So it remained with the snorting on the side of the road.

Arnensee

A second “wow” moment follows shortly before Seeberg. Here the view opens up to us down to Lake Arnen. The mountain lake in the Tschärzistal is a popular destination on sunny weekends. From stand-up paddling to rowing boats to mini sailboats, everything is represented on the lake on this day. There are barbecue areas on the shore and the circular path around Lake Arnen has the ideal length for a leisurely Sunday walk of about an hour. We walk in the shade of the eastern shore to its northern end, where the Huus restaurant on Lake Arnen is located. But before we dedicate ourselves to the culinary part, the feet are treated to a cooling off in the lake. Splendid! Unfortunately, the bikini stayed at home. Otherwise I would have jumped into the pleasantly cool water.

On the well-filled terrace of the Huus am Arnensee, we are lucky enough to get one of the coveted seats with a view of the lake. We opt for the three different variations of crostini. Thumbs up for the value for money. The portions are surprisingly large (including the ice cream sundaes) and nicely prepared.

Practical information and tips for the hike Col du Pillon – Arnensee

The route can be found on the map below. The distance from the Col du Pillon to Lake Arnen is around 7 kilometers with an ascent of 400 meters to the Col de Vore and a descent of 400 meters to Lake Arnen. The hiking time is about 2.5 hours. The starting point Col du Pillon can be reached by post bus from Gstaad or Les Diablerets. Unfortunately, there is no longer a Postbus connection from Arnensee to Gstaad. The nearest post bus stop is in Feutersoey (about 1.5 hours hiking time – all downhill). Alternatively, you can continue hiking over the Blatti Pass to Gsteig (about 2.5 hours). Lake Arnen can be reached by private car via a paid road.

Hike Col-du-Pillon – Lake Arnen: Key data of our tour

Starting point	Bushaltestelle Col du Pillon, Glacier 3000
Length	11 kilometers
Elevation gain	↗ 776 m 595 m ↘
Duration	4:00 h (to Feutersoey)
Destination	Bus stop Feutersoey, village