Oujon Spiritual Trail (Chartreuse d'Oujon)

An easy loop in the footsteps of the Carthusian monks

Above Arzier, the Oujon spiritual trail is a walk that appeals to families because it is both easy and rich in discoveries. The loop, flat and well signposted, takes about an hour and leads to the ruins of the Chartreuse d'Oujon, the oldest charterhouse in Switzerland. A dive into history, in the heart of the Jura vaudois forest.

Along the route, around fifteen information panels tell the story of the monks' lives, the history of the place and the surrounding nature. Free, accessible and of a very manageable level, it is an ideal outing for a quiet half-day with the children, picnic included thanks to the large area very close by at the Creux des Abériaux.

What your children will discover

Children discover a real historical site: the ruins of a monastery founded centuries ago. The old stones, brought to life by the panels, spark the imagination and make it easy to gently broach life in the past, that of the Carthusian monks and their secluded daily life in the forest.

The route is also a nature walk: you cross the forest, you listen to the birds, you observe the vegetation. Its flat, signposted nature reassures young walkers and lets the smallest manage the distance without difficulty. Here, history and nature go hand in hand.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

You follow the markers at your own pace, stopping to read the panels and imagine life of old around the ruins. The atmosphere is peaceful, almost contemplative, true to the spirit of the place. It is a walk that invites you to slow down and observe.

The large picnic area at the Creux des Abériaux, nearby, makes it a complete outing: you can extend the discovery with a quiet meal under the trees. Children explore the surroundings, parents enjoy the calm of the forest. A simple, restorative pause.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from age 5, the flat route suits young walkers well. Suitable up to teenagers curious about history.
• Duration: about 1 hour of walking for the loop, not counting the picnic break. Check the exact route before setting off.
• Price: free. It is a freely accessible loop, with information panels.
• Stroller accessibility: the flat route is more favourable than other trails, but the terrain remains natural. Check locally if you come with an all-terrain stroller.
• Transport: Arzier-Le Muids is in the district of Nyon. Access by car via the route des Montagnes; from Nyon (CFF line), plan a regional connection.
• What to bring: comfortable shoes, water, a picnic, and warm layers depending on the mountain weather.
• Best season: from spring to autumn, when the forest is welcoming and the paths clear.

Parents' tips

• Combine the loop with the nearby picnic area at the Creux des Abériaux, and you have a full half-day.
• Read the panels aloud with the children: the story of the monks often fascinates the most curious.
• The flat route is reassuring for the youngest ones' first real walks.
• Turn the ruins into a backdrop for stories: who lived there, how, why?
• Check the mountain weather: it can change quickly above Arzier.

Useful information

• Address: above Arzier-Le Muids, accessible via the route des Montagnes (district of Nyon, canton of Vaud).
• Hours: a loop in the heart of nature, freely accessible. Adapt your outing to the season and weather conditions.
• Access: by car via the route des Montagnes above Arzier; from Nyon (CFF line), a regional connection is recommended.

Why we recommend it

Because it is a rare combination of ease, history and nature: a flat one-hour loop that children complete with no trouble, punctuated by panels that tell the story of the oldest charterhouse in Switzerland. Free, extendable with a picnic at the Creux des Abériaux, it is the ideal heritage outing for a family in the Jura vaudois.

In a nutshell

A flat, free loop of about an hour above Arzier, towards the ruins of the Chartreuse d'Oujon and its information panels. History, forest and a picnic on the programme.