Most visitors take the train between Montreux and Vevey without noticing how much of the shoreline they are skipping. The Montreux–Vevey lakeside walk follows the water for roughly seven kilometres, past the Freddie Mercury statue, the Clarens waterfront and the castle of La Tour-de-Peilz, and ends at the market square and the giant Fork in Vevey. It is flat, free and easy to cut short, because a train or bus runs alongside the whole way.
The walk at a glance
- Route
- Montreux (Freddie Mercury statue) → Clarens → La Tour-de-Peilz → Vevey (Fork and market square)[1]
- Distance
- Roughly 7 km one way (confirm on a map before you set off)
- Time
- About 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace, longer with stops
- Terrain
- Mostly flat lakefront paths and quays, suitable for most walkers
- Getting back
- A few minutes by train from Vevey to Montreux, or bus 201 along the lakefront[4]
- Cost
- The walk is free; the return ticket is covered by the Montreux Riviera Card for guests staying in the area
Short answer: yes, you can walk from Montreux to Vevey along Lake Geneva in about two hours. Start at the Freddie Mercury statue on the Montreux waterfront, follow the lakeside path through Clarens and La Tour-de-Peilz, and finish at the Fork and the market square in Vevey. Take the train or bus 201 back.[1][4]
In this guide
The route, stop by stop
The two towns are neighbours on the same shore: Montreux has roughly 26,000 inhabitants and Vevey roughly 20,000, and between them sit Clarens and La Tour-de-Peilz.[5] The path hugs the water for most of the way, so you rarely need directions — keep the lake on your left when walking towards Vevey.
1. Montreux: the Freddie Mercury statue
Begin on the lakefront promenade where the bronze statue of Freddie Mercury looks over the water. It is the most photographed spot in town and a good meeting point; our Freddie Mercury and Queen guide explains the story behind it.[1]
2. Clarens
Heading west, the promenade passes the Clarens waterfront, quieter than central Montreux, with benches facing the Alps across the lake. This is the natural coffee stop if you left early.
3. La Tour-de-Peilz
La Tour-de-Peilz has a lakeside castle that houses the Swiss Museum of Games, a good rainy-day detour if the weather turns.[3] The small harbour here is also a pleasant place to sit before the last stretch.
4. Vevey: the Fork and the market square
Vevey’s waterfront is best known for the giant fork standing in the lake, installed in 1995 outside the Alimentarium food museum.[2] Nearby on the quay is the statue of Charlie Chaplin, who lived in the hills above the town; see our Chaplin’s World guide if you want to go further. The market square, a few steps back from the water, hosts a market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings; check the Vevey tourism pages for the current schedule.[1]
A half-day plan
- 09:30 — Montreux. Photo at the Freddie Mercury statue, then start walking west.
- 10:15 — Clarens. Coffee on the waterfront.
- 11:15 — La Tour-de-Peilz. Walk past the castle, or go in if the Museum of Games interests you.
- 12:00 — Vevey. See the Fork and the Chaplin statue, then lunch near the market square.
- 14:00 — return by train, or continue to Lavaux for a wine stop.
Prefer to walk in the other direction? Start in Vevey and finish at the Montreux promenade just before sunset; the Alps are in front of you instead of behind.
Getting back
The railway runs between the two towns along the lake and takes only a few minutes; bus 201 also follows the shore.[4] Guests staying on the Riviera can use the Montreux Riviera Card, which includes local public transport. If you would rather keep walking, our Chillon guide covers the opposite direction, about 3 km to the castle.
When to go
Spring and early autumn give the best mix of light and mild temperatures, and summer evenings are long enough to walk after dinner. In winter the path is open but daylight is short and some lakeside cafés close, so check opening hours. A light jacket helps, because the breeze off the lake can be cooler than the town centre.
Where to stay
The walk works best from a base in central Montreux, where the starting point is minutes from the door. For a wider comparison of the two towns, read Montreux vs Vevey vs Lausanne and our list of the best places to visit in Montreux and Vevey.
Start the walk from your door
Stay in central Montreux and the lakefront is minutes away. Kitchens, lake views and a quiet base after the walk.
See our apartmentsRelated reading: Château de Chillon · Lavaux vineyards · Montreux Riviera Card
10+ years in hospitality. BBA Hospitality (Glion), MSc Tourism (FHGR), MSc Data Science (HSLU).
Frequently asked questions
How far is it to walk from Montreux to Vevey?
About 7 km along the lakefront, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Confirm the distance on a map before you set off.[1]
Is the Montreux to Vevey lakeside walk flat?
Mostly yes. It follows quays and lakefront paths, so there is little climbing, and most walkers can do it without special gear.[1]
How do I get back from Vevey to Montreux?
By train in a few minutes, or on bus 201 along the lakefront. Check the SBB app or the local bus timetable for the day.[4]
What is the giant fork in Vevey?
A large fork installed in Lake Geneva in 1995 outside the Alimentarium food museum, now one of the town's best-known landmarks.[2]
Can I do the walk in winter?
Yes, the path stays open, but daylight is short and some lakeside cafés close, so plan for an earlier start.[1]
Sources
- Montreux Riviera tourism (montreuxriviera.com) — lakeside promenade, Freddie Mercury statue, Vevey sights and market — montreuxriviera.com
- Alimentarium, Vevey (alimentarium.org) — food museum; the Fork in Lake Geneva dates from 1995 — alimentarium.org
- Swiss Museum of Games (museedujeu.ch), Château de La Tour-de-Peilz — museedujeu.ch
- SBB (sbb.ch) timetable, Montreux ↔ Vevey; Transports Vevey-Montreux-Chillon-Villeneuve (vmcv.ch), bus 201 — verify times on the day — sbb.ch
- Swiss Federal Statistical Office (bfs.admin.ch), population of the municipalities of Montreux (roughly 26,000) and Vevey (roughly 20,000) — bfs.admin.ch