A mountain of the Fribourg Pre-Alps
Moléson rises to 2,002 metres above sea level, in the Fribourg Pre-Alps. It towers over the resort of Moléson-sur-Gruyères, which lies at around 1,100 metres. Its silhouette is part of the Gruyère landscape: you can see it from the medieval town as well as from the meadows where the cows that give the cheese its milk graze. In summer, hiking trails criss-cross its slopes. In winter, the resort offers a ski area, snow permitting.
Up by funicular and cable car
The ascent is made in two stages. A funicular links Moléson-sur-Gruyères to Plan-Francey in about five minutes. From there, a cable car climbs to the summit. The journey already offers an ever-changing view of the valley as you climb the south-eastern flank of the mountain. Plan-Francey, at around 1,500 metres, is also the starting point for several hikes.
The panorama from the summit
At the top, a panoramic platform on the roof of the upper station offers a 360-degree view. On a clear day, it stretches from Lake Geneva to the line of the Jura and on to the peaks of the Alps. Le Sommet restaurant, with its large picture windows, lets you enjoy a drink facing the mountains. It is the ideal place to take in, at a single glance, the geography of the Gruyère region and its neighbours.
Visiting tips
The funicular and the cable car run during the warmer months, on dates set each year by the operator: check them before you go. The view depends entirely on the weather: we adapt the order of the day so that you go up at the best moment. At the summit, it is noticeably cooler than in the lowlands. Bring a jacket, even in summer, as well as sunglasses. The funicular leaves from Moléson-sur-Gruyères, a short drive from the medieval town.
