Pic Chaussy

Overview :

• Starting Point: Parking at 1650m above Les Mosses

• Highest Point: Pic Chaussy, 2350 m

• Loop Type: Clockwise (described here, but counterclockwise might actually be better)

• Total Distance: ~6.8 km

• Total Elevation Gain: ~720 m

• Duration:  3-4h plus relaxing time at the lake

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To reach Pic Chaussy, you begin above Les Mosses, where a small road leads to a spacious parking area nestled in the fields at 1650 meters. From here, you have two options: the left-hand path leads more directly to the summit, while the right-hand path brings you first to Lac Lioson and its charming mountain hut before continuing upward.

I usually make a loop—ascending one way and descending the other. In this post, let’s follow the loop clockwise.

Starting on the left-hand trail, the first stretch is an easy and family-friendly gravel road. After 1.3 km and 220 meters of elevation gain, you’ll reach Lac Lioson in about 30–40 minutes. This alpine lake is stunning and makes a perfect picnic spot. If your goal is a relaxing break at the lake, you might prefer doing the hike counterclockwise so you reach it on your way down.

The hut by the lake offers traditional food and has a quirky bonus: llamas grazing nearby!

Continuing from the lake, the trail turns into a classic mountain path—still wide and easy to follow. After another 1.5 km and 230 meters up, you’ll reach a pass where the trail meets the route coming from the other side. A bonus of going counterclockwise is that you’d have a stunning view of the lake behind you as you climb this section.

From the pass, the path narrows but remains non-technical. In just under 1 km and another 270 meters, you’ll reach the summit of Pic Chaussy (2350m). The view from the top is absolutely worth the effort, offering a 360° panorama, including a bird’s-eye view of Lac Lioson below.

If you’re not tied to your car, you could continue down to Les Diablerets from here. Otherwise, retrace your steps to the pass and take the other fork. This descent leads you through a gentle valley dotted with sheep, eventually looping back to the parking lot. Expect about 1 hour 40 minutes from the summit to the car, or 1 hour from the pass.