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Best Forest Hikes near Renens

The directory currently contains 43 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Renens. Their average mapped distance is 6.0 km and average recorded ascent is 233 m (764 ft); the longest route in the set is 35.9 km.

This subset represents 35% of the 122 quality-checked routes near Renens. Its average distance is 6.0 km, compared with 8.9 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 233 m (764 ft), versus 320 m (1,050 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

These routes carry the forest tag. The data does not quantify canopy cover or guarantee shade along every section. Within this set, 12 routes (28%) are rated easy, 6 (14%) are rated hard or expert, and 1 (2%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

1.6 km

Sur les pas des Huguenots et des Vaudois du Piémont

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

0 m

Sur les pas des Huguenots et des Vaudois du Piémont

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Expert

Jura Crest Trail

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
35.9 km
/ 22.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,520 m
Typical duration
10 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Via Cluny Etape 8

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
7.5 km
/ 4.7 mi
Elevation gain
114 m
Typical duration
1 hr 45 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Jura Crest Trail

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
18.4 km
/ 11.4 mi
Elevation gain
697 m
Typical duration
4 hr 58 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

ViaJacobi

Fribourg · Switzerland

Distance
16.5 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
94 m
Typical duration
3 hr 38 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Chemin des Gorges de Covatannaz

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
8.2 km
/ 5.1 mi
Elevation gain
544 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

La Côte-aux-Fées - Buttes

Neuchâtel · Switzerland

Distance
6.7 km
/ 4.2 mi
Elevation gain
345 m
Typical duration
1 hr 55 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Chemin des Blés

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
22.5 km
/ 14.0 mi
Elevation gain
429 m
Typical duration
5 hr 33 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

La Côte-aux-Fées - fixme

Neuchâtel · Switzerland

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Sur le Voué-

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
32 m
Typical duration
42 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Sur les traces du renard

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
615 m
Typical duration
2 hr 33 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Tour du Vallon des Vaux

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
10.6 km
/ 6.6 mi
Elevation gain
289 m
Typical duration
2 hr 39 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Chalet de la Maya - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
19 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Bullet-Fiez-Chasseron-pt1558
Easy

Chasseron-Les Illars

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
140 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Grange Neuve-La Poyette

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
205 m
Typical duration
53 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Les Praises-La Casba

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
150 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Saigne Geret-Les Revines

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
207 m
Typical duration
1 hr 2 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

fixme - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
111 m
Typical duration
1 hr 8 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Ballaigues-Vallorbe

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
5.1 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
146 m
Typical duration
1 hr 17 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
A deux pas du village d'Hermance, sur le Pont du Bourg-Dessus; la France est située sur la rive droite, la Suisse sur la gauche.
Easy

Hermance - Les Lombards (F)

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

La Preisette-Les Illars

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Typical duration
20 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Les Epoisats-Le Pont

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

fixme - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

fixme - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
91 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

fixme - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
130 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

La Gittaz-Col de l'Aigullon

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
7 m
Typical duration
52 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Chevrens - Les Lombards

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
7 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Ferme-restaurant du Sollier sur l'envers du Chasseron, commune de Sainte-Croix
Easy

Le Sollier - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Switzerland , Vaud , hiking in the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces along Lake Geneva
Easy

Les Abbayes - Epesses

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
42 m
Typical duration
29 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Champ cultivé à Monniaz, Jussy, Genève, Suisse, avec vue sur Les Arales
Easy

Monniaz - Les Arales

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

fixme - fixme

Vaud · Switzerland

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Via Francigena - Historical variantVaud33.8 km503 m8 hr 21 minHardApril to October
Jura Crest TrailVaud35.9 km1,520 m10 hrExpertApril to October
Via Cluny Etape 8Vaud7.5 km114 m1 hr 45 minModerateApril to October
Jura Crest TrailVaud18.4 km697 m4 hr 58 minHardApril to October
Sur les pas des Huguenots et des Vaudois du PiémontVaud1.6 km0 m21 minModerateApril to October
ViaJacobiFribourg16.5 km94 m3 hr 38 minModerateApril to October
Les Cernets Dessus-Pouetta RaisseVaud15.9 km1,297 m5 hr 17 minHardApril to October
Chemin des Gorges de CovatannazVaud8.2 km544 m2 hr 32 minModerateApril to October
La Côte-aux-Fées - ButtesNeuchâtel6.7 km345 m1 hr 55 minModerateApril to October
Chemin des BlésVaud22.5 km429 m5 hr 33 minHardApril to October

Via Francigena - Historical variant, Jura Crest Trail, Via Cluny Etape 8 currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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