Rochers de Naye or rocks of Naye are the mountains overlooking Lake Geneva just above the town of Montreux. Spectacular views of the lake and the Alps can be seen from its peaks. Getting there is easy, by car to Col de Jaman then hike to the summit or by train from Montreux and from any of the villages where the train stops. I took the train from Glion, a lovely village above Montreux where the train line Glion – Rochers de Naye was first opened in 1892, then a steam locomotive was used. Today operated by Golden Pass, it is a regular line from Montreux till the summit stopping at some villages along the way. The train ride is a picturesque journey with stunning views over lake Geneva passing through forested slopes and green meadows till it reaches the village of Caux, Col de Jaman and La Perche before arriving at Rochers de Naye. For experienced climbers in search of that extreme sensation while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding landscape is to take the rather difficult via ferrata on the north east side of the ridge which starts from the Col de Jaman.
Arriving at the top was to look out for the alpine garden. Just follow the signposts and enjoy the view. A small Buddhist Stupa stood majestically along the path greeting visitors to the garden. The Stupa was created in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of garden with special focus on Nepal seen as country rich in high altitude botanical plants as well as to mark the creation of the Himalayan rock garden.
La Rambertia, named after Eugène Rambert 19th century Swiss author, is one of the many high altitude alpine garden spread throughout the Swiss Alps. It was created in 1896 by the Henri Corrévon the Swiss Botanist who took over the unsuccessful garden projects from two Russian Botanists. A small wooden house and a signboard mark the entrance to the alpine garden.
Entering the garden is the rocky landscape studded with some wonderful alpine flowers. The garden has a collection of nearly 1000 alpine plants from Europe, the Himalayas and Asia with some various species of Leontopodium “Edelweiss” alpinum flowers.
Walk down the garden path and get to know some of its collections in a wonderful surroundings.
Continue to descend the path and you get this breathtaking view of the garden and the Alps …
And after exploring the wonderful botanical collection, I finally caught a glimpse of the beautiful Edelweiss Queen of the Alps …
A collection of alpine flowers grown in high altitude at La Rambertia garden of Rochers de Naye
With spectacular views from the garden.
La Rambertia alpine garden of Rochers de Naye
Getting there
Take the Train from Glion or Montreux
Garden, Travel, Photo Journal 