Bouleyres forest loop - Parc Naturel Régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut

It is February 2025 and the weather doesn't really know what to do. The snow has moved into the mountains, the clouds are spread over the land and the sun...? Well, once again it can't quite decide if and how and when it should shine. That is not a reason for us to stay at home. So we set off and drove to "Bulle", which is only a few minutes' drive from the famous "Gruyère" and really steals the show. "Gruyere", as the German name goes, doesn't need to be described to anyone. After all, it is a must-have for every hiker, medieval enthusiast, alien fan and fondue lover. So it is not surprising that we have dedicated today's excursion entirely to the topic of "Moite Moite". The canton's coat of arms is black and white, as are the Fribourg cows sometimes, the fondue "Motié Motié" consists of 50% Gruyère and 50% Vacherin, and the route of our hike is 50% city tour www.la-gruyere.ch/rundgang and forest trail. Trail because in the forest of "Bouleyres" we follow the route of the blue "Helsana Trail" www.helsana.ch/de/private/services/trails, which is well signposted. Bulle's landmark is "Château Bulle". The grey box is located in the middle of the old town and with its high keep (open to the public from May onwards) dominates the image of the historic town centre. The castle complex is freely accessible, but the rooms of the château itself are not. The doors of the castle museum are open to those who are curious. But Bulle also impresses with a variety of other sights. Be it the impressive facade paintings by Frank Bouroullec, which captivate everyone (and women) in the side street of "Le Tonnelier", or the golden patchwork altar of the "Église Saint-Pierre-Aux-Liens", the venerable "Le Halle" which was once an important grain trading point, the long medieval market square at the end of which lies the cute "ChapelleNotre-Dame de Compassion" or the former "Grand Hôtel Moderne" which is reminiscent of the good old Belle Époque era. Bulle knows how to please, especially when everything is in bloom. The Bouleyres forest is an ideal place for hikers, bikers, animal owners of all kinds and species and joggers. The forest paths are wide and offer enough space for coexistence with forestry. The forest offers everything that makes a stay in the forest so special. Barbecue area, playground, forest house with a great view of the "Moleson" and much more. We particularly liked the "Etang (pond) de Bouleyers". We leave the Helsana Trail at the end and make a short detour to "La Tour de Trême", a small village between Gruyère and Bull. There is the only witness to a long-gone fortress. We do not know whether it can be visited. Our way back to Bulle leads along the gurgling "Trême", which rises between Niremont and Moléson and later flows into the Saane. Once back in Bulle, we stop for a coffee at the "Moderne" restaurant in the former Grand Hôtel Moderne. This is also the end of our hike. Why Bulle? The answer must be: "Why not Bulle?" The town is not only close to the romantic town of Gruyère (we stocked up on fondue at "La Maison de Gruyère"), but also has a lot to offer in terms of history and landscape. When the right time to visit is is up to each individual. We would love to experience Bulle in the summer. Have fun!