Foxtrail in Lausanne – Urban treasure hunt for families

An Urban Adventure to Share

Foxtrail in Lausanne is a large treasure hunt that takes you through the alleys, parks, and viewpoints of the city. You follow clues, decode messages, open mechanisms, and move forward step by step. The atmosphere is friendly and dynamic. Ideal for an active half-day with children who love to observe, think hard, and move around.

What Your Children Will Discover

Children love searching for markers, manipulating surprising elements, and solving puzzles as a team. They develop their sense of direction, logical thinking, and observation skills. It’s also a great excuse to (re)discover Lausanne, its stairs, parks, and views of Lake Geneva. You progress at your own pace, celebrate each step, and feel proud to have outsmarted the fox.

How It Works

You book your time slot online and receive the starting information by email. On the day, you set off independently. Generally, expect 2 to 3 hours, with the possibility of taking a snack break. The activity is quite sporty and fun: you walk, sometimes climb a few steps, cooperate, and think a lot. The routes are available in French and are done in small groups (2 to 6 people works very well). Everything takes place outdoors, with some sheltered stops depending on the route.

Before You Go

• Age: recommended from 7 years old with adults. Younger children can participate, but the puzzles require concentration and reading.
• Duration: plan for a half-day with breaks (2–3 hours depending on your pace).
• Reservation: mandatory online. Tickets and starting point are sent after purchase.
• Equipment: good shoes, water, light snack. Depending on the season: windbreaker, cap and sunscreen, or gloves and hat.
• Accessibility: Lausanne is hilly, and some segments have stairs. Strollers are impractical; a baby carrier is recommended for toddlers.
• Transport: departures are close to public transport; a car is optional.
• Safety: the routes are designed for families. However, remain vigilant near roads and follow city rules.
• Season: possible year-round. In case of heavy rain, heatwave, or storm, prefer to reschedule.

Parents' Tips

• Start in the late morning to avoid the hottest hours.
• Bring a power bank if you use your phone for route information.
• Assign a role to each person: clue reader, scout, timekeeper. Kids love it.
• Plan a small reward at the end (ice cream or hot chocolate), it motivates everyone.
• Choose shoes with good grip: Lausanne has its ups and downs.

Useful Information

• Address: variable starting points in Lausanne, communicated after booking.
• Official site: foxtrail.ch (Lausanne section)
• Hours: time slots to choose during booking; activity possible year-round, during the day.
• Weather: feasible in dry weather or light rain; avoid storms and heatwaves.
• Access: by train to Lausanne CFF, then metro M2 and TL bus depending on the starting point. Recommended parking: Riponne, Montbenon, St-François, or Ouchy.

Why We Recommend It

Because Foxtrail combines urban hiking, puzzles, and local discovery. Children gain confidence, teamwork skills, and observational skills. Parents appreciate the flexible format, reasonable duration, and the chance to explore parts of Lausanne that are usually passed by unnoticed. It’s an outing that gets both legs and brains moving.

Want to Go?

A clever activity, easy to organize, and enjoyable for both children and teens. Book your time slot, and if you like this kind of discovery, create a Kidora account or subscribe to our newsletter: we’ll share more family ideas in French-speaking Switzerland.