Part III - The Via Alpina Finale: From Kandersteg to Montreux

The Bunderchrinde is the last rugged crossing that leads from Kandersteg to Adelboden. Now the landscape becomes more gentle and rolling. From the Hahnenmoospass, the wide Simmental opens up and, one mountain range further on, the Saanenland. Cows graze on the lush alpine pastures and you can almost imagine the milk flowing down from the alps into the valley, turning into tender cream, yoghurt and butter as well as tasty cheese that melts in the caquelon to turn into a delicious fondue. Welcome to Fondueland Gstaad!

You leave the prestigious resort of Gstaad via the Promenade in the direction of the Waadland Alps and Col de Jable. Bonjour à la Romandie! The pass marks the border between German- and French-speaking Switzerland. And it's not just the language, but also the culture, the type of houses and many other things that change from one valley to the next. However, cheese is also produced here. Étivaz AOP is one of the most sought-after cheese specialties in Switzerland.

Via Château-d'Oex to Rossinière, the Via Alpina leads to Lac de l'Hongrin, a branched reservoir with a double-bellied dam wall. Now follows a final ascent over Alpine meadows up to the Rochers de Naye, the last highlight of the Via Alpina. The view from the cliff is gigantic. Mont Blanc towers in the background, Montreux lies far below and Lake Geneva disappears into the mist as if it were a sea. And towards the east, the Via Alpina disappears on the horizon and 14 Alpine passes and almost 400 km further on there's Vaduz, the start of the tour and hiking trip through Switzerland. What is still missing to complete the route? It couldn't be another piece of cheese. Imposing views of the mountains and nature have not been neglected either. Nor the insights and interactions with life and people along the way. But of course, it is a good sip of wine. And this thrives particularly well in the mild climate on the shores of Lake Geneva in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Lavaux.

The last section of the Via Alpina descends steeply to Montreux. You almost get the impression that you can shorten the descent with a long jump and dive into Lake Geneva. Then you reach the Mediterranean-style Riviera. Just a few more meters along the lakeside promenade and there it lies at your feet, the finish line! Congratulations on the Via Alpina, the No. 1 long-distance hiking trail in Switzerland. Freddie Mercury once sang "We are the Champions" with the Queen band here in the music town of Montreux. And you can definitely feel like a real hiking champion after the Via Alpina.