CHÂTEAU-D'ŒX

La Pierreuse is the largest nature reserve in French-speaking Switzerland. It is located in the Pre-Alps, on the left bank of the Sarine to the south of Château-d'Œx, and encompasses 34 square kilometres of mid-mountain landscape. It stretches from the Gummfluh to the Pic Chaussy mountain range. It's a protected natural area offering a spectacular, unspoilt landscape with a 2.5-hour walk and 750 metres of ascent. Its name comes from the scree cones that lie at the foot of the rock faces.
Originally, a mountain pasture of the same name was the first part of the area to be protected, and the reserve has since expanded. The area is still farmed, but extensively so as to allow the flora and fauna to thrive.

Between forests and pastures, a number of habitats provide areas of tranquillity for wildlife. The presence of cows in the low-lying pastures prevents overgrowth, while the absence of sheep protects the flora. Ibex and chamois share the high altitude areas. Marmots, lynx, roe deer, stag, golden eagle, black grouse, grouse, trydactyl woodpecker, little owl, woodcock and Tengmalm's owl also inhabit the area.
In terms of flora, fir, spruce and a few deciduous trees stand alongside the marshes and their typical flora of sphagnum moss and lichen, among others. The source of the Gérine is located in a forest in the reserve.
In order to avoid the fragmentation of the landscape by road construction, people and goods can be transported by cable car.

La pierreuse can be reached by public transport using the GoldenPass, getting off at the Les Granges stop.