This is a hike we used to do often. Now that we live in a different region, we have had to find new destinations and give up our old habits. However, we felt like doing this hike again that day.
The Col de Jaman is a historic pass because it is the most direct way to reach the Gruyère region from the Vevey area. As Vevey was a place where goods, in particular cheese, were loaded onto boats to be transported to Geneva, the Col de Jaman was a way to reach the shores of Lake Geneva without too many detours. This is why the trail is, with a few exceptions, a good mule track.
From the starting point in Les Avants, you first must take the steep road leading to Jor. Be careful here not to start too fast, as it is steep. Shortly after Jor, you leave the road to go down a bit and cross the Baye de Montreux. Then comes a crossing and a steep climb. This climb was probably built because of a landslide that cut off the old mule track. Higher up, when you have left the steep part, you find the mule track again. After crossing the road twice, you soon follow it up to the Jaman Pass.
On the other side, a mud road leads down. Just below the pass, you will not fail to notice a marshy area that turns into a small lake when the snow melts or during heavy rainfall.
As you descend, you pass by the Joux and Cases chalets. As you continue, the valley opens a bit and when we reached the Croix de Fer, we followed the trail that leads to the other side of the valley and up to Pierra Devant and Les Mosses. It is interesting to note that a few years ago, the marked trail went this way. Now, the signs have been taken down and the markings have been removed. I do not know why, but when I spoke to the farmer, he confirmed that it had nothing to do with property or servitude issues. Apparently, they no longer wanted to maintain the markings.
From Boveresse, you follow a bit of a tarmac road before taking a trail that goes through the Bourgoz. Below this house, you can see ruts made by the carts that passed through there.
Route: Les Avants – Jor – Col de Jaman – La Joux – Les Cases – Allières – Pierra Devant – Les Mosses – Boveresse – Le Bourgoz – Montbovon
Distance: 15.3Km
Elevation gain: 820m
Duration: 5h
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