Greng on Lake Murten: Trails, Nature and Pile-Dwelling History

Greng lies on the southern shore of Lake Murten, the smallest of the three Jura lakes, in a rural setting in the lower Lake District of the canton of Fribourg. The Pointe de Greng, also known as Grengspitz, lies between Meyriez (FR) and Faoug (VD). It is the only peninsula on Lake Murten; the roughly 400-metre-long promontory was formed from an ancient delta. Greng is within easy reach of Bern, Fribourg, Lausanne and Neuchâtel.

Wetland and peninsula

The Greng Delta is a partly wooded wetland, surrounded by reeds and shallow sandy waters. The Greng nature reserve features large clearings and reed beds along the lakeshore, where woodpeckers can be heard. A forest nature trail introduces visitors to various tree species in this forest, which is densely populated by birds. The Greng Delta includes fens of cantonal importance known as «Murtenseeufer», listed under site numbers 114-003 and 114-004. The Grengspitz picnic area offers views of the Vully.

Pile dwellings and early history

The tip of the peninsula encompasses four archaeological sites dating from the Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age. A Late Bronze Age site near Greng Spitz extends from dry land into Lake Murten. Remains of Neolithic and Late Bronze Age pile dwellings also lie in the waters off the Pointe de Greng. A prehistoric pile-dwelling site at the Pointe has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011. The landscape and traces of several prehistoric periods meet on this lakeshore.

Walking by the lake

Several footpaths at the Pointe de Greng connect the obelisk commemorating the Battle of Murten with the village of Greng and lead to the lakeshore at the end of the delta. The Morat–Avenches hiking trail follows a forest path along the lakeshore to the peninsula. The «From the Roman site to Avenches Beach» route leads from the Roman site in Avenches to Greng and then continues along Lake Murten. Another option is the Fribourg–Murten stage of «Fribourg en diagonale»: from Greng, it follows the lakeside through the shore forest and can be reached by public transport. Check current connections before travelling and trail conditions before setting off.

Faoug station on the regional Payerne–Murten railway line is a starting point for a hike to the Pointe de Greng. A circular route at the Pointe is listed as approximately four kilometres; a regional description published in 2025 gives this distance. Check local conditions before setting off. For further guidance on the swimming spots at Grengspitz: from the car park near the obelisk in Meyriez, a five- to ten-minute walk through the forest leads there.

Picnics, barbecue area and swimming

The Grengspitz barbecue area is right by the lake at the edge of the forest, about 600 metres from the car park. If parking arrangements change, access and distance may also change. The picnic area has a table with seating for 20 people and two additional benches for 12 people; a barbecue grill is available. You can swim in Lake Murten right here. Local safety conditions and any temporary restrictions apply.

Atelier Greng restaurant can accommodate up to 35 people; reservations are recommended. The trails, wetland and pile-dwelling sites each give the area a distinct focus: you can plan your visit around the lakeshore landscape and nature, the prehistoric sites or a hike by Lake Murten.

Discover more destinations: Muntelier, Ried Bei Kerzers, Kerzers, Bas-Vully, Galmiz, Murten, Misery-Courtion, Haut-Vully

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