Min. time required: 3:00
Season: all year
Recommended season: early January to late February, early April to late October and early December to late December
Max. altitude: 1968 m (6457 ft)

Rochers-de-Naye: the must-knows

  • A direct train makes this the easiest mountain excursion from Montreux.
  • If you love Christmas, visit Rochers-de-Naye in December to see “Santa’s House”.
  • The train is discounted or free with several rail passes.
  • If you need tickets, you can buy them from the official SBB tourist webshop: swissrailways.com.

What is Rochers-de-Naye? Copy link to clipboard

Rochers-de-Naye is a viewpoint at 1968 m altitude in the mountains north of Montreux on Lake Geneva. It's in the canton of Vaud in south-western Switzerland. You can reach this mountain by a scenic 50-minute ride in an electric cogwheel train from Montreux.

The top station has several restaurants and terraces with panoramic views over Lake Geneva, an alpine garden, a small marmot zoo, and plenty of hiking trails. In winter, "Santa's House" is located at the top, as an addition to the famous Christmas market of Montreux.

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➤ Prices, tickets and reservations Copy link to clipboard

Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel train prices 2026

View more prices and discountsPriceDescription
View Regional-Pass Lake Geneva prices (happyrail.com)CHF 0Return trip with a Regional-Pass Lake Geneva-Alps
View ticket prices and discounts (swissrailways.com)CHF 27.60Return trip with a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Travel Pass Flex
View Saver Day Pass prices (happyrail.com)from CHF 29.00Return trip with a Swiss Half Fare Card and discounted Saver Day Pass
View ticket prices and discounts (swissrailways.com)CHF 36.40Return trip with a Swiss Half Fare Card and discounted point-to-point ticket
View Saver Day Pass prices (happyrail.com)from CHF 52.00Return trip with a Saver Day Pass, full fare
View ticket prices and discounts (swissrailways.com)CHF 72.80Return trip with a normal ticket, full fare

Where to buy your Rochers-de-Naye tickets

You can get your tickets online or at any staffed railway station in Switzerland.

Is there a difference between 1st and 2nd class?

No, the cogwheel trains have 2nd class seats only.

Do you need reservations?

You don't need reservations. Just show up with your valid ticket or pass and board the train to Rochers-de-Naye at your preferred departure time.

The only exceptions are:

  • groups of 10 or more;
  • a visit to Santa's House, available between late November and Christmas;
  • special culinary evening rides in summer, that include dinner in one of the restaurants.

➤ Discounted train tickets with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

The below rail passes offer discounts or even free traveling to Rochers-de-Naye.

PassDiscount
Day PassFree:
  • Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
Regional Pass Lake Geneva-AlpsFree:
  • Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
More information:

On a day you do not select: 50% discount.

Saver Day PassFree:
  • Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
Swiss Half Fare CardDiscount 50%:
  • Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
Swiss Travel PassDiscount 50%:
  • Haut-de-Caux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
More information:

Montreux to Haut-de-Caux (train): free.

Swiss Travel Pass FlexDiscount 50%:
  • Haut-de-Caux to Rochers-de-Naye (train)
More information:

Montreux to Haut-de-Caux (train): free.

How to reach Rochers-de-Naye: directions and map Copy link to clipboard

SBB|CFF|FFS
From
To
Via (optional)
Via (optional)
Departure date
Example: 01.12.= 1 December
Departure time
Example: 13:15=1:15 PM

How does the timetable work?

Getting to Montreux

The cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye departs from the rail station in Montreux. Montreux can be reached by train, car or boat as described here.

Duration of the train ride

A single ride between Montreux and Rochers-de-Naye takes about 50 minutes.

From Montreux to Glion

Once the train has departed from the station in Montreux, it immediately enters a tunnel and starts climbing. After about 15 minutes the train will reach the village of Glion, 300 m above Montreux. This is where the first steam trains to Rochers-de-Naye departed in 1892.

From Glion to Rochers-de-Naye

Soon after Glion the train leaves the urbanized areas of Montreux and enters the forested slopes. There are several stops along the way. After La Perche, it's just five more minutes and two tunnels before the train reaches Rochers-de-Naye.

Stops on request

Many of the mid-stations between Montreux and Rochers-de-Naye are so-called 'stops on request'. Find out how they work here.

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Map

Operation dates, schedules and timetable Copy link to clipboard

When do the Rochers-de-Naye trains operate?

The cogwheel trains to Rochers-de-Naye are available all year. The only exception are Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February: on those days, the trains only go as far as mid-station Haut-de-Caux.

How late do the trains depart?

The ride takes 50 minutes. Departure times are as follows:

  • from Montreux: at 08:28, and then each hour from 09:34 to 15:34 in winter, and to 17:34 in summer
  • from Rochers-de-Naye: each hour from 09:27 to 16:27 in winter and to 18:27 in summer

Planning your trip in the timetable

If you plan your trip to Rochers-de-Naye with the Swiss timetable, use these names:

  • "Rochers-de-Naye" is the top cogwheel train station.
  • "Montreux" is the railway station from which the trains to Rochers-de-Naye depart.
  • There are many mid-stations. "Glion", "Glion-Alpes" and "Haut-de-Caux" are just a few examples. You'll find a complete overview in the timetable.

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Best months for Rochers-de-Naye Copy link to clipboard

An excursion to Rochers-de-Naye is best in early January to late February, early April to late October and early December to late December. Although the mountain can be reached all year round, I prefer these seasons for these reasons:

  • The hiking trails from Rochers-de-Naye and the stations along the railway track are most suitable for spring, summer, and fall.
  • December is an exciting time to visit the Montreux Christmas market and "Santa's Home" at Rochers-de-Naye.
  • January and February offer the best chances of snow.

Snow on Rochers-de-Naye in winter isn't entirely guaranteed. But in clear weather, you'll have great views of the snow-capped mountains.

Weather tips and forecasts Copy link to clipboard

Always check the weather forecast before going up to Rochers-de-Naye. You need clear skies for the best views over Lake Geneva and the mountain ranges in the north and east.

Favorable forecasts are very important for hiking trips as well: rain, fog, snow or thunderstorms can cause dangerous circumstances.

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What to see and do at the top

The views from Rochers-de-Naye

The train station at Rochers-de-Naye is located at an altitude of 1968 m. In summer, you can walk to the observation platform at 2042 m. If the weather is good you’ll be able to see a large part of Lake Geneva. There are gentle hills and plains toward Geneva in the south-west, and the higher peaks towering over the Rhone Valley toward the east.

The restaurants at the top

Two restaurants at Rochers-de-Naye allow you to have a drink and bite while enjoying the panorama:

  • Restaurant “Plein Roc” is located within the rocks and can be reached through a pedestrian tunnel. You’ll have brilliant panoramic views of Lake Geneva here.
  • The “Alpin” restaurant, next to the train station, offers a view of the Swiss and French Alps.

More to see and do around Rochers-de-Naye

  • In summer, there’s a small animal park called “Marmots’ Paradise” where a few mountain marmots can be viewed up close.
  • From July to September, you can enjoy all sorts of beautiful flowers free of charge in the alpine garden “la Rambertia”.
  • In May, endless seas of daffodils grow in the fields near mid-station Caux.
  • Rochers-de-Naye is an excellent start or end point of several beautiful hiking routes, for example from Les Cases.
  • From July to September (dependent on weather conditions), a via ferrata is accessible. It’s suitable for experienced climbers only!
  • In winter, if snow conditions are favorable, there are several ski runs.

Rochers-de-Naye FAQ

  1. How long does the trip to Rochers-de-Naye take?

    An excursion to Rochers-de-Naye takes about 3 hours from Montreux, assuming you spend about an hour at the top. This can be much longer if you take your time in the restaurants or plan a hike.

  2. What’s the best side of the train to sit on?

    There’s no major difference. The train constantly twists and turns, so you’ll have good views from both sides. The highlight of the trip, in my opinion, is the last section between La Perche and the top. As this is at a mountain ridge, you’ll have unobstructed sights from either side of the train.

  3. Which clothes to wear to Rochers-de-Naye?

    Dress in multiple thinner layers, as it’s colder at the top than down in Montreux. Take along sunglasses, and add a scarf, hat, and warm jacket if you visit in winter.

    Solid shoes help if you plan to walk around a bit, and they’re a must if you plan to hike.

  4. What more can I do on the same day?

    If you don’t spend more than half a day on the Rochers-de-Naye excursion, there’s time to do some more activities. I recommend staying close to Montreux to reduce traveling time. The Chillon Castle, a boat trip on Lake Geneva, or exploring Montreux and Lausanne are great options.

  5. Can I ski or sledge at Rochers-de-Naye?

    In favorable snow conditions, you can use a couple ski lifts near the top station, as well as winter hiking routes from several stations along the route to Rochers-de-Naye. The top isn’t very high to Swiss standards, so snow can’t be fully guaranteed.

➤ Where to buy tickets for Rochers-de-Naye Copy link to clipboard

Official SBB tourist webshop (Swiss Federal Railways) • www.swissrailways.comTicket Rochers-de-Naye
Swiss Railways
Mountains
Rochers-de-Naye train ticket. Pass discounts available. Official tourist webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB … Show more 
Swiss Activities • www.swissactivities.comTickets to Rochers-de-Naye
Swiss Activities
Mountains
Tickets for the cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye. Show more 
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Arno
Page author: ArnoI have visited Switzerland countless times since 1997. I've explored most of the country, but find myself staying in the Bernese Oberland and Graubünden most frequently. The alps and the rail network remain very impressive, even after all these years.