Right in Lausanne’s backyard, a tiny trail has been quietly inviting curiosity for decades. The Foxtrail (Chemin de la Vuachère) as it’s called, was originally created as a city-wide scavenger hunt back in the 2000s in Switzerland, designed to get locals and visitors exploring the hidden corners of the city while following clever clues and making it playful and engaging.
The Foxtrail came to Lausanne in 2014 and is marked by small silver fox footprints stamped into the streets, sidewalks, and forest paths — subtle enough to make you wonder if you imagined them, but persistent enough to pull you along.
If you look down while strolling along the lake, wandering through the streets, or climbing one of Lausanne’s many hills, you might notice them: small silver fox footprints stamped into the pavement. They appear here and there, subtle but intriguing, inviting you to follow.
Curiosity got the best of us.
One afternoon, with the kids in tow, we decided to follow those little silver steps to see where they would lead. What began as a simple game quickly turned into something much bigger: a surprisingly beautiful path weaving its way right through the heart of Lausanne following the Vuachère river that winds through the heart of Lausanne.
The trail can begin almost anywhere you spot the fox’s footprints — along the lake, in the city center, or higher up in the neighborhoods above. From there, the adventure unfolds step by step. The path spans roughly 8km (3hours) from start to finish, linking together a series of landscapes that Lausanne does so well: lakeside promenades, shaded forest trails, quiet riversides, and city streets lined with charming houses.
Of course, this is Lausanne, so there are climbs. Quite a few of them. But the effort is rewarded along the way. Wooden bridges appear where you least expect them. Small waterfalls tumble quietly beside the path. And every so often, the trail opens onto a view that makes you pause for a moment. The lake below, the rooftops of the city, the forest stretching just a little further ahead or a simple bench to sit and have a picnic.
What makes this trail so special is how seamlessly everything blends together. One minute you’re walking through the city, the next you’re deep in the trees, then suddenly crossing a bridge over a rushing stream before emerging again among houses and gardens. Sometimes you feel like you are literally in someone’s backyard (in fact, sometimes you actually are, but don’t fret, you’re allowed to be there) . And a bonus is that this trail can be enjoyed in all seasons– you just need the right clothes and shoes.
For the kids, the silver fox footprints turn the walk into a game of discovery. For the grown-ups, it’s a reminder of just how much nature Lausanne hides in plain sight.
Whether you start at the lake, the city center, or anywhere in between, follow the silver footprints, and let Lausanne’s hidden corners reveal themselves.
A quiet little adventure, right in our backyard.
Fun fact: The fox is the protagonist of this city-wide game. The footprints and clues he leaves behind are your only guide. You won’t find a map on the city’s website because, well, that’s part of the fun.
