From Our
Photo Gallery
Begin with a visit to the Tourist Office for current special events!
Activities
Les Diablerets is situated at the center of three ski regions between Gstaad, Leysin and Villars with more than 50 ski lifts nearby offering all levels of skiing in winter (and in the summer, on the glacier). Cross country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, curling and ice skating are offered in winter. Exceptional and inexhaustible hiking is available in the summer, at all levels of difficulty. Summer sport activities in the village include tennis, swimming, golf, paragliding, canyoning, hiking, and mountain biking.
Chalet Killarney is within easy walking distance to key destinations: the town (including the train station), the télécabine to the Isneau, a beautiful gorge with a 60-foot waterfall, and the postal bus stop (the bus system is excellent). Several overnight high mountain huts are within a day's walk. The Glacier of Les Diablerets is open all summer for skiing and walking and offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger. In the winter, it offers several challenging runs. The main restaurant at the summit is normally open year-round.
Rail service and frequent postal bus service provide visitors to Les Diablerets with easy access to all locations and precludes the need for rental cars. Day trips can be made to the "Swiss Riviera" towns of Geneva, Lausanne/Ouchy and Montreux. Local tourist attractions include the famous Castle of Chillon, the cheese-making village of Gruyère, the Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Martigny (an excellent art museum), and Evian, France.
Exceptional Swiss wines are produced nearby; they are inexpensive and unavailable outside of Switzerland. The full range of Swiss, French and German cuisine can be enjoyed daily.
Excursions
Taveyanne
This charming and ancient hamlet is located just outside of Diablerets, on the way to Villars, and is a "must" for a visit in the summer (shown on Diablerets topo map, available at the Tourist Office). It is a great place for lunch; try the raclette (potatoes with cheese melted by the fire - delicious!) or "charbonnade de boeuf" (thinly sliced beef prepared at your table with sauces) at night by candlelight. Reservations suggested for dinner.
The Isenau
Take the "télécabine" up to the Isenau - it leaves from the center of town (notice the lovely botanical garden next to the station). There is a restaurant at the top, and many hikes both short and long.
The Glacier
The gondola/télécabine leaves from the Col du Pillon. It is a truly spectactular ride up. Depending on the time of year,you can either take snowcat rides across the glacier, ride a dogsled, hike to the summit of the Massif (check local conditions, take crampons and safety rope!), or ski. Wear waterproof shoes, even in summer, and take an extra layer--you are in the high Alps!
Les Mazots
Observe cheese making at Les Mazots, a restaurant on the Col de la Croix. In the summer between 10 AM and noon you can help make cheese. This is a good launching point for hikes also.
Lac Retaud
This is a lovely spot boasting a fine restaurant, hiking and a lake. It is a mere 15 minutes from the chalet by car or bus. Great hiking to Chalet Vieux, Isenau, etc. To get there, turn off the Col du Pillon road just before the Glacier télécabine -- it is well signed.
Strolling, Walking or Hiking
Look for the yellow footpath signs and you can't go wrong. From the chalet you could walk up to the left, past the barn, down the road and to the stream. Follow signs to the "Torrent". For more suggestions,including more vigorous hikes, please see Hiking Information.
Lake Sanetsch
This is a beautiful glacial lake with some easy hiking and spectacular views of the back of the Massif of the Diablerets. Drive to the town of Gsteig, about half an hour from chalet over the Col du Pillon. Take the télécabine to Lake Sanetsch.
Winter Sledding
Take the Meilleret chairlift up the Col de la Croix mountain. Sleds are available for rent at the top of the ski lift. Then enjoy a beautiful and fun sled-ride down.
Boat Trips on Lake Geneva
Great entertainment in nice weather! The steam paddle-wheelers are the most fun because you can see in the engine rooms and watch the pistons move! You can take the boat from Villeneuve, Montreux, Vevey-Marché or from Chillon (a half-hour drive from the chalet). Combine with a visit to the Castle of Chillon.
Villeneuve
A great little town on the lake, not far from Aigle and Montreux. Beach, pool, paddle boats, bike rentals and restaurants. Also a port for the Lake Steamboat trips.
Parc Vapeur
Visit the "Parc Vapeur" in Le Bouveret. Follow signs from Villeneuve. Open March - September. It is a model railroad park with models of real Swiss villages and regions. Buildings are about waist high. Nearby is the Aquapark - an indoor waterslide park.
Aigle
Take the train to Aigle - Have lunch, visit the castle in Aigle, which is a museum, shop, and come back.
Fun Things to do with Kids (or the Young at Heart!)
- Explore, hike, walk along streams.
- Mini-golf at one of the hotels; take a dip in the community swimming pool; visit the playground.
- Take the train to Aigle, have lunch, visit the castle and come back.
- Visit the Chateau de Chillon - great castle right on the lake. Could take the train there.
- Take the "télécabine" up to the Isenau and visit the cows in summer, or ski/snow play in winter.
- Take any télécabine anywhere!
- Go to the Glacier.
- Rent peddle boats in Villeneuve.
- Visit the Swiss Vapeur Park in Le Bouveret, near the French border. Follow signs from Villeneuve. Miniature trains circulate in a re-created railway decor in the midst of lush vegetation.
- Take the Rive-Bleu Express, a steam engine dating back to Edwardian times, from Le Bouveret to Evian (according to Michelin).
- Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva - especially the older boats with the side paddle wheels.
- Drive to Gsteig and take the télécabine to lake Sanetsch. Beautiful glacial lake - easy hiking.
- In winter, rent sleds at a sport store, take the lift up to the Meilleret and sled down the road. Fun for all ages!!
- Visit the organ museum in Roche - has great whimsical organs.
- Lausanne - the old town with winding alley ways and stair ways, plus the cathedral.
These are but a few of the many fun activities for families in and around Diablerets. Check out the Michelin guide and visit the Tourist Office for more great ideas.
Interested?
If you are interested in renting the chalet, please send e-mail to Betsy Hansen (bg54@pacbell.net).
Inscriptions on the
Chalet Killarney Façade
Suisse chérie chez toi le bonheur.
Belle patrie à toi tout mon cœur.
Je lève mes yeux vers les
montagnes
d'où me viendra le secours.
Que l'Éternel protège ce chalet
et tous ceux qui l'habitent.
Pas à pas on va loin.
Tout est bien qui finit bien.
~ Translation ~
Beloved Switzerland, you bring us happiness.
Beautiful homeland,
to you all my heart.
I lift up mine eyes unto the peaks whence cometh my salvation.
May the Eternal protect this chalet
and all those who dwell here.
Step by step one travels far.
All's well that ends well.