Lausanne in Winter ; A Walk to the Sauvabelin Lake and Tower

The Sauvabelin woods and a winter walk in Lausanne.

Lausanne in Winter

The Sauvabelin Woods

There are several ways to reach the Sauvabelin woods. By bus, just take line 16, towards Grand-Vennes, to the “Lac de Sauvabelin” stop. The woods can also be reached by car. You cannot go wrong: the lake and the forest soon appear. Then just cross the road to reach the lakeside. The forest and the Sauvabelin tower then come into view. Several paths intertwine through the woods, and all lead to the famous wooden tower.

The Lac de Sauvabelin

Lausanne in Winter and Its White Coat

Once there, a quiet stroll along the lake reveals all its beauty. This artificial lake offers a soothing landscape, perfect for a relaxing walk. On one side, the lake stretches out, lined with aquatic plants swaying in the wind. On the other, a few farm animals add a lively, picturesque touch.

The path around the lake is pleasant and easy to access. At a relaxed pace, the full loop takes no more than 20 minutes. Time to enjoy the view, observe nature or stop for a few photos. A simple but charming escape, ideal for finding the tranquillity of nature.

Lausanne in Winter ; Practical Tips

The Sauvabelin woods are easy to reach by bus from the city centre. Good shoes are essential, as the paths can be slippery. On a clear day, climbing the tower offers the finest view. So it is best to choose a cloudless day. The walk combines easily with a gourmet break in town. For a full programme, the weekend in Lausanne itinerary (in French) offers more ideas.

Lausanne in Winter ; The Sauvabelin Tower

A 35-Metre Wooden Tower

After the loop through the forest and around the lake, here is the famous Sauvabelin tower. Built in 2003, it opened to the public in December of the same year. Over 35 metres high, it has 302 steps: 151 to go up and 151 to come down. On a fine day, its 360° panorama takes in Lausanne, Lake Geneva and the Alps. During this winter walk, the tower is closed and can be admired from its foot.

To warm up after the walk, nothing beats a hot chocolate at Maison Buet (in French), creator of the Hérissons de Sauvabelin. Other treats await in the best cafés in Lausanne (in French). And for an alternative, discover Lausanne in autumn (in French).

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Lausanne in Winter