This is a report of a hike already undertaken a few times. However, due to seasonal and weather differences, the experience is a little different each time.
Here, the weather forecast predicted a change in weather later in the afternoon, with thunderstorms at the beginning.
So, we started from the parking lot of the Col de la Sauge (often called Tête de Ran) in order to climb to the top of La Tête. This top is located just above the pass and offers a panoramic view from the Säntis to the Savoy Pre-Alps. Here you can see the famous peaks of the Bernese Alps, including the trio Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You are practically facing the summits of the Gantrisch and you can easily recognize the peculiar silhouette of the Stockhorn.
Following the ridge, you start by going down to a small pass before going up through the woods. On this part, there is no view. On the other hand, you soon arrive in the pastures near La Pradière where you can once again enjoy the view of the plateau and the Alps.
Soon you reach the Loge des Pradières, a refreshment place along the trail. From here, you must not walk for hours until you reach the top of Mont Racine. This top, like the Tête de Ran, also offers a great view of the Swiss Plateau and the Alps.
On the way back, we retraced our steps to the surroundings of the Loge des Pradières. From the paved road, a good forest path breaks out and passes underneath the Rochers Bruns. At some point, it is advantageous to follow the path up, which allows you to reach a small pass not far from Les Neigeux. From this chalet, a good road led us back to the Tête de Ran parking lot, which we reached just at the moment of a heavy downpour. The meteorologists were a little mistaken: it happened much faster than expected.
Itinerary: Col de la Sauge – Tête de Ran – Les Grandes Pradières – Mont Racine – Les Grandes Pradières – Les Neigeux – Col de la Sauge Distance: 10.5Km Altitude gain: 360m Duration: 3h