Glacier 3000 vs Rochers de Naye: two days out from Montreux

Rochers-de-Naye is Montreux's own mountain: the train leaves from the main station and climbs more than 1,600 m to a summit high above the lake. Glacier 3000 lies further into the Alps, above Les Diablerets, where the lake gives way to glacier and the panorama reaches the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

Few mountains are so easy. You board at Montreux station and 45 minutes later step out at 2,042 m, with the whole of Lake Geneva below and, as the Swiss Travel System puts it, the Alps from the Eiger to Mont Blanc on the skyline. On the January 2027 timetable trains run up hourly, which makes it a relaxed half day.

From June to September, La Rambertia alpine garden shows more than 1,000 plant species, free to enter according to Switzerland Tourism, which also lists the summit's marmot colonies among its highlights. There is a via ferrata from Jaman, a restaurant by the station, skiing in winter, and in November and December Santa's House at the summit, booked in advance.

Glacier 3000 gives you the high Alps: a glacier, snow on the Snow Fun Park all year and the Peak Walk, which Glacier 3000 says is the only suspension bridge in the world linking two mountain peaks. The operator counts 24 peaks over 4,000 m in the panorama, including the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

The ticket includes the Ice Express chairlift onto the glacier and the 3 km Glacier Walk to the Quille du Diable. In winter there is dog sledding and a ski area; in summer, the Alpine Coaster. Allow a full day from Montreux. If you would rather not drive, a coach day trip leaves from Montreux, with the cable car as an option you add.

Rochers-de-Naye is the closer of the two from anywhere on Lake Geneva, because the train starts in Montreux. Glacier 3000 is closer from Interlaken and Zurich, which reach Gstaad and the bus up to Col du Pillon more directly.

By car, Montreux to Col du Pillon is about 44 minutes in free-flowing traffic, and Lausanne about 63 minutes. For Rochers-de-Naye, the cogwheel train from Montreux is the way up.

A Glacier 3000 return costs CHF 95 for adults and CHF 48 for children aged 6 to 15 and for holders of a Swiss Travel Pass, GA or Half Fare card; under-6s ride free.

For Rochers-de-Naye, check the GoldenPass website for current fares. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the line from Montreux to Haut-de-Caux and gives 50% off the last stretch to the summit, and the Half Fare card gives 50% off.

Timing can decide it for you. Rochers-de-Naye runs all year, but in January, February and March trains go only as far as Haut-de-Caux on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the line closes from 1 April to 21 May 2027 for modernisation. Glacier 3000 is closed for maintenance from 19 October to 6 November 2026, then open for winter from 7 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, so in April it is the one to choose.

At either, check the weather before you go. At Glacier 3000, gusts over 80 km/h can stop the cable cars, and the live openings page on glacier3000.ch is updated every morning.

Short on time, or travelling with people who would rather not go high: Rochers-de-Naye. It is a half day from Montreux with a superb lake view and no change of train.

Want snow, ice and the feeling of the high mountains: Glacier 3000. It is more than 900 m higher, and the Peak Walk and Glacier Walk make a full day.

Staying several nights on the Riviera: do both, on different days. Rochers-de-Naye is a gentle morning from your hotel, and Glacier 3000 is a big day out, 40 minutes by car or under an hour and a half by train and bus.