Moleson

Moleson rises to 2,002 metres above the Gruyere basin and is the mountain that appears behind every picture of that landscape - the pastures below it feed the herds whose milk becomes Gruyere cheese, and the connection is direct rather than decorative. A funicular and then a cable car reach the summit, where there is a restaurant and a small public observatory that opens for evening sessions, unusual for a Swiss summit. The view covers the Fribourg pre-Alps, the lakes and, in clear weather, the high Alps. At Plan-Francey, the middle station, a demonstration alpine dairy makes cheese over an open fire in the old manner through the summer for visitors.

What you actually see

• The Gruyere landmark - the peak behind the cheese country's pastures.
• A summit observatory - evening astronomy sessions at 2,002 metres.
• An open-fire alpine dairy - cheese made in the old way at the middle station.
• Pre-Alps and lakes - the view over Fribourg toward the high Alps.

When to go

May to October. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The lifts close between seasons and for maintenance. The dairy demonstration runs on set days in summer only. Cloud sits on the summit often. Observatory sessions need booking and clear weather.

Nearby

Gruyeres and its castle are below; Charmey and Schwarzsee are east.