Sense–Glâne–Veveyse
Overview
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Distance 40 km
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Ascent 560 m
Intro
Over the Ärgera/La Gérine, the «Röstigraben», the divide between German & French-speaking Switzerland, the silhouette of the city of Fribourg in the distance, down to the Rossens dam, which in 1948 transformed a jagged ravine into lovely Lac de la Gruyère.
Description
Plaffeien lies on a plateau in the Sense-Oberland region, surrounded by wooded hills and mountains. The village and its parish church were burned to the ground in a fire on 31 May 1906. Two years later, the foundation stone was laid for the new parish church – a beautiful, three-aisled Neo-Romanesque basilica. Under the watchful eye of the cockerel atop the church, the stage begins with a gentle climb up to Plasselb, a village at the foot of the Schweinsberg mountain and the entry point to the Plasselbschlund gorge.
This is followed by a brief descent to the Ärgera/La Gérine River, which you cross on a tarmac bridge. This also marks the «Röstigraben» (literally «rösti trench»), the invisible border between German- and French-speaking Switzerland – or, put another way, between a farmers’ breakfast of traditional «Bauernrösti» on one side and «pommes de terre fricassées» on the other.
Apart from a few structures built in its lower reaches, the Ärgera/La Gérine has largely retained its natural, dynamic character, which has created habitats for countless species of animal such as mayflies, brown trout and European bullheads. After crossing the river, you face a further climb to Chrache, a pretty area full of charm with its forests, horses and alpine meadows – a little like the Jura, in fact. You can fill up with fresh spring water for your onward journey in nearby Bonnefontaine, a traditional farming village. The inscription on the water fountain reads «La seule richesse c’est l’eau» («Water is the sole source of riches») – and there may well be something in that.
The wrestlers in Le Mouret also definitely have something about them, at least in terms of their body and muscle mass. Fribourg’s cantonal wrestling championships are held here every year, and you’ll spot a statue of two athletes in front of the spacious restaurant here. Red kites circle overhead, while in the forest you’re more likely to hear a circular saw. Tractors, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, cows and horses feature heavily in the fine views to be enjoyed here in Treyvaux. Once you’ve had your fill of them, a pleasant descent takes you down to Rossens, a village in the Saane district at the top of Lac de la Gruyère, through which flows the Saane River (Sarine in French) – commonly known as the «River of the Röstigraben». Incidentally, the reservoir here is one of the largest in Switzerland.
Estavayer-le-Gibloux affords you an impressive view of the Dents-du-Midi mountain range, and you will also already be able to spot Romont – your destination for this stage – perched on a roundish hill. This mediaeval town is the capital of the Glâne district. Well worth a visit is the nearby Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu, a Cistercian nunnery founded in the 13th century by three local young women. Another sight not to be missed is Romont Castle, which you can visit together with its neighbouring museums.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Plaffeien
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Romont FR
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| Ascent |
560 m
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| Descent |
720 m
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| Distance |
40 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
40 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
Quick Facts
Route number
