The Best No-Hike View in Switzerland for Families: Rochers-de-Naye
Looking for a jaw-dropping Swiss view without more than a few steps of walking? Let me show you one of our favorite family stops from our trip: Rochers-de-Naye.
It’s high above Lake Geneva, with sweeping 360 views, wild marmots, and even an alpine garden—and you can take a scenic train ride all the way to the top. 🙌
This is literally perfect whether you’re traveling with a toddler, a crew of energetic kids, grandparents, or even solo. This is the kind of stop that feels magical and low-stress.
🏔 Why Visit Rochers-de-Naye?
- Epic panoramic Swiss views without a hike (but you can hike up or down if you wanted to!)
- Marmot wildlife park with over 10 species of these adorable mountain creatures
- Alpine garden at the summit
- A scenic cogwheel train that winds through forest and pastures, starting in Montreux
🚂 How to Get To Rochers-De-Naye
- Start in Montreux (a beautiful lakeside town on Lake Geneva)
- From the Montreux train station, take the vintage cogwheel train toward Rochers-de-Naye (about 55 minutes)
- Trains run roughly once per hour. You can check the time table on the MOB website here. We bought our tickets at the station right before boarding.
- You can also get off at different stops between Montreux and Rochers-de-Naye on the way back down to see more villages and viewpoints!
💰 Ways to save money on this train ride
Our hotel included a free Montreux Riviera card with our stay, saving us about 50% per person for this ride. Read more about where we stayed here.
I would recommend the Swiss Travel Pass if you’re doing multiple days across all of Switzerland. It covers this train ride and many more making it FREE! Plus it covers boats on the lake, and so many museums—plus kids under 16 ride free with the Swiss Family Card.
🧢 What to Bring
Layers, always! Even in summer, the top of the mountain can feel chilly. Here’s what we packed—and what I’d bring again:
- Lightweight kids’ jackets that pack down small but block wind. Our favorites are here and here
- Snacks or a packed lunch (there’s a restaurant, but it’s PRICEY so we opted to bring up our own food)
- A small daypack that fits snacks, extra clothes, camera, etc. We love our Cotopaxi Drawstring Backpack – It’s simple and fits everything we need!
If you’re traveling with a toddler, I recommend bringing a soft carrier or someone willing to hold them if they get tired! Our three year old walked all over though – we only held her for pictures. The terrain is uneven at the top, and I wouldn’t bring stroller.
⏱ Best Time to Go
- Late Spring/Summer (June–September) is ideal for clear skies, flowers, and marmot spotting. We went the last week of May and it was perfect.
- Winter is also stunning—Rochers-de-Naye transforms into a small ski area, and there’s even a Santa Claus House open in December 🎅
🏨 Where to Stay
We based ourselves in Montreux at The MONA, which made the train ride super easy—and gave us a relaxing lakeside evenings.
We loved our stay at The MONA hotel, because it had:
- A short walk to the train station
- Lake views from your balcony
- Free paddleboards and bikes to use!
- Free popcorn, candy, hot chocolate, coffee and tea in the lobby
- Rooftop jacuzzi and sundeck
Make sure you book in advance though – I just checked dates for ‘next week’ and it was more than TRIPLE what we paid when we booked months in advance! Click around the dates to find the best prices!
💡 BONUS- If you book a stay at a participating hotel like the Mona, you’ll get the free Montreux Riviera Card, which gives you up to 50% off the Rochers-de-Naye train!
Enter your travel dates in the map below to check prices at places to stay in Montreux!
📌 Final Thoughts on Rochers-de-Naye
Switzerland is known for its hiking trails—but you don’t have to be a mountain climber to enjoy the views. Rochers-de-Naye is one of those magical places to soak up the beauty without the stress.
This is the kind of stop you’ll talk about when you get home—and your kids will too. 🏔💛
