Prafandaz forrest, Leysin (Winter hike)

Prafandaz is a forest trail in Leysin, Vaud, offering sweeping views of the Swiss Alps in a snow covered winter setting.

A forested winter trail in Leysin with open Alpine views. Best for dogs who love snow and owners who do not mind sharing the path with skiers. No water fountain or swimming, so bring your own water. Great for a snow day adventure, though weekends get busy enough to test a herding dog's composure.

The trail is in Leysin, in the canton of Vaud. The nearest public transport stop is Leysin Grand Hôtel, about a 20 minute walk to the entrance. From Leysin city center it is around 30 to 35 minutes on foot. Parking is available directly at the entrance.

We visited on a weekend and it was moderately busy, with cross-country skiers sharing the area. That brought its own challenge for Abby as an Australian Shepherd. Her herding instincts were very much switched on.

The views are genuinely worth it. You get panoramic views across multiple Swiss Alpine peaks. It is not a hidden gem type of experience but it is a solid winter hike with real payoff at the top.

Abby was in her element in the snow. Her favorite game was catching snowballs. She chased them down with full commitment every single time, completely unfazed by the fact that they never quite made it back to hand.

Would we go back? Yes, we could try again on a weekday to see if it is less busy.