Chasseral - Frinvillier

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Ninth stage from Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. At the summit of Chasseral, you pass close to the imposing 114-metre transmitter, a metal sentinel standing at an altitude of 1,606 metres, the highest point of this stage. From there, the trail levels out and takes you on a peaceful descent along the ridge, winding between large century-old trees and the typical pastures of the Bernese Jura, where the air is fragrant with alpine herbs. At an altitude of around 1,000 metres, the landscape narrows: you reach the steepest part of the route, where rocks jut out and steps carved into the stone bear witness to the steeper terrain. The view then opens up onto the Bernese Jura mountain range, before the path gently descends towards the steep-sided Schüss valley. The steady descent takes you to the charming village of Frinvillier, nestled in the valley. Here you will cross the Suze bridge, the final passage of this stage rich in contrasts and panoramic views.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance, following the ridges of the Jura mountains

Details

n°59766578
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.34 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 571 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,875 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,236 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,713 ft
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Photos

Almost arrived in Frinvillier
Descent towards Frinvillier
Start of the rocky descent towards Frinvillier
La Cabane du Jura

Description of the walk

Signposting: signposts with sticker no. 5 on a green background (Jura Höhenweg).

(S) From your campsite, head north-east along the gently ascending tarmac road. Continue until you reach a fork.

(1) Keep to the right onto the road leading to the Chasseral mast and continue until you reach it. Once at the foot of this imposing mast, you’ll be at an altitude of 1,607 metres. From this highest point, enjoy a magnificent view of the Alps, the Vosges and the Black Forest.

(2) Walk round the base of the mast on your left to join a small, slightly downhill stony path, which leads to a low dry-stone wall. Go through the gate and follow this wall on your left until you reach the signpost.

(3) Ignore the path leading off to the left towards La Métairie du Milieu and continue straight on (north-east) along the ridge, heading towards Frinvillier. Walk through the pastures, past the cows and old trees, until you reach the junction with a small path coming from the left.

(4) Ignore this path and carry on to the crossroads at Les Colisses du Haut.

(5) Continue your descent north-eastwards until you reach the junction with the Chemin du Bois Commun, which joins from the right near the Colisses du Haut restaurant.

(6) After the small restaurant, head down towards the north-east until you reach the crossroads at a place called Clédar de Pierrefeu.

(7) Continue north-east and follow Route du Bois Raigel to the car park at Place Centrale.

(8) Opposite, follow the sign for “Dairy Farm” and cross the meadow to reach the Chemin du Bois Raigel.

(9) Continue north-east, passing a picnic area, then carry on to the signpost at the junction of the paths.

(10) Head north-east towards Frinvillier and carry on until you reach the junction with the Chemin du Bois Raigel.

(11) On the path, continue north-east until you reach the Cabane du Jura mountain refuge.

(12) Still heading north-east, carry on along the path until you reach a Fork in the road.

(13) Take the path on the left, which passes a small dry-stone wall, then follow this wall on your right until you reach the top of the Waldberg farm.

(14) Continue down through the mountain pastures, go through a gate in a low stone wall and carry on until you reach a Fork in the road.

(15) Take the path on the left which heads into the woods and carry on until you reach the junction with a wide, stony track.

(16) Ignore this path and carry on straight ahead across the meadows, descending slightly more steeply. Continue to the signpost at the junction with the Chemin Morlet.

(17) Turn left towards the north-east, pass a isolated house at a place called La Ragie, then continue along the stony path lined by a power line. Carry on to the Fork in the road at a place called Aux Coperies.

(18) Follow the path on the right (south-east), which descends even more steeply. Pass a small shed below, then turn right. Walk a few metres until you reach the signpost.

(19) Turn left (east/south-east) and descend until you reach very rugged, rocky terrain. You are now entering the steepest section of this stage. Handrails are in place to help you through the difficult sections. Proceed with caution until you reach the Chemin de la Hote.

(20) Ignore this path and continue south-east along the narrow track that winds its way down. You will come to steps carved into the rock.

(21) Carry on along the rough track to the signpost on the main road at the entrance to Frinvillier.

(22) Turn left and follow the pavement to the Hôtel de la Truite. Cross the main road carefully, then continue along Rue du Canal. Carry on to the Frinvillier hydroelectric power station building.

(23) Carry on straight ahead towards the south-west. Then veer to the right towards the bridge, go under it and find a secluded spot to set up camp (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 5,072 ft - Hôtel Chasseral
  2. 1 : mi 0.54 - alt. 5,194 ft - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : mi 0.76 - alt. 5,200 ft - Chasseral branch - Antenne de télécommunication du Chasseral
  4. 3 : mi 1.58 - alt. 4,957 ft - Signpost
  5. 4 : mi 2.84 - alt. 4,537 ft - A small path leading in from the left
  6. 5 : mi 3.23 - alt. 4,462 ft - Crossroads on the Haut hillsides
  7. 6 : mi 3.74 - alt. 4,321 ft - Restaurant Colisses du Haut
  8. 7 : mi 4.1 - alt. 4,245 ft - Clédar de Pierrefeu
  9. 8 : mi 4.85 - alt. 4,229 ft - Place Centrale car park
  10. 9 : mi 4.98 - alt. 4,222 ft - Chemin du Bois Raigel
  11. 10 : mi 5.2 - alt. 4,252 ft - Signpost at the crossroads
  12. 11 : mi 5.46 - alt. 4,324 ft - Junction with the Chemin du Bois Raigel
  13. 12 : mi 5.92 - alt. 4,347 ft - La Cabane du Jura Mountain Refuge
  14. 13 : mi 6.18 - alt. 4,341 ft - Fork in the road
  15. 14 : mi 6.56 - alt. 4,334 ft - Waldberg Farm
  16. 15 : mi 6.96 - alt. 4,318 ft - Fork in the road
  17. 16 : mi 7.2 - alt. 4,255 ft - Junction with a wide stony path
  18. 17 : mi 8.05 - alt. 3,858 ft - Signpost on the Morlet path
  19. 18 : mi 9.1 - alt. 3,698 ft - Aux Coperies
  20. 19 : mi 9.8 - alt. 3,301 ft - Signpost
  21. 20 : mi 10.27 - alt. 2,762 ft - Chemin de la Hote
  22. 21 : mi 10.69 - alt. 2,142 ft - Steps carved into the rock
  23. 22 : mi 10.95 - alt. 1,755 ft - Frinvillier
  24. 23 : mi 11.13 - alt. 1,729 ft - Frinvillier Hydroelectric Power Station
  25. E : mi 11.34 - alt. 1,788 ft - Rue Le Petit Prè, Frinvillier

Notes

Remember to carry some cash with you, as bank cards don’t always work in the mountains!
Food and drink are available at the Hôtel Chasseral (S), the Restaurant Colisses du Haut (6), the La Cabane du Jura mountain refuge (12) and the Restaurant des Gorges (E).
No camping; look for a place to pitch a tent locally.
Accommodation options:
Auberge - Restaurant Des Gorges; Tel: +41323581175 Info: http://www.restaurant-taubenloch.ch/
Hôtel de la Truite: Tel: +41793469086 Info: https://forellenhof.tripcombined.com/
No refreshments available along the route.

This route was completed by the author on 27 August 2025

Worth a visit

(2) Chasseral antenna. Located on Chasseral, on the border between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, the transmitter majestically dominates the landscape from its height of 114 m. This imposing monument blends harmoniously into the wild landscape of Chasseral, the highest point in the Bernese Jura at an altitude of 1,606 m.

Along the way, there are numerous viewpoints to enjoy: this 12-kilometre-long mountain range is characterised by its rocky landscapes, often covered with a blanket of snow in winter. From the summits, the panorama is spectacular, with the lakes of Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten to the south, as well as the Alps, from Säntis to Mont Blanc, and Alsace and the Black Forest to the north.

Other walks in the area

Walking Le Chasseral - Saint-Imier

Visorando Member
↔15.10 mi ↗+4,347 ft ↘-4,350 ft ◔10h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Villeret (Canton de Berne) (Canton of Bern)
The route forms a loop via the Métairie des Plânes, climbing the Combe Grède before reaching the Chasseral ridge to the east of the summit via the Métairie du Milieu.All the difficulties are behind you when you reach the summit, where you can enjoy a picnic. Return to the car park by descending via Les Limes and La Vieille Vacherie. (i)User comment on 21 June 2025 On Thursday 19 June, when we set off from Villeret, the Combe Grède pass was closed due to rockfalls and fallen trees and therefore inaccessible. For more information, contact the tourist office in St-Imier or Villeret. >This passage to Chasseral can be bypassed from the start by taking the left-hand path towards Les Limes, Derrière, then Pré au Auges, where you come out at the Combe Grède exit. To return from the Hotel du Chasseral, the trail leads to the Métairie de St-Jean, then back to Pré aux Auges, where you head towards St-Imier and then Villeret.

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Departure from Villeret in the Bernese Jura near Saint-Imier, climb via the Combe Grède, passing through Pré aux Auges, Les Limes, then along the ridge overlooking the Métairie de Morat facing the Chasseral, before reaching and following the ridge leading directly to the signal (television tower) and the summit of the Chasseral. The magnificent view from the summit ridge amply rewards hikers for their efforts on the climb, allowing them to enjoy, in particular, the three lakes (Biel, Neuchâtel and Morat) and the highest peaks of the Bernese Alps in good weather. The descent is via Pré aux Auges and the dairy farms of the Planes and Métairie aux Renards. A beautiful encounter on the descent, with a herd of chamois above the Métairie des Plânes.

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↔9.04 mi ↗+2,254 ft ↘-2,267 ft ◔6h 05 ▲Moderate
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Walking Circular Loop of the Échelles de la Mort via Le Refrain and the three belvédères.

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↔8.67 mi ↗+1,857 ft ↘-1,857 ft ◔5h 35 ▲Moderate
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↔10.88 mi ↗+2,697 ft ↘-2,697 ft ◔7h 20 ▲Difficult
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↔5.11 mi ↗+1,243 ft ↘-1,230 ft ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
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The ladders are likely to remain closed until autumn. From the ‘Ladders of Death’ to the ‘Old Ladies’, here are two places that evoke many poetic images. The ladders will prove to be comfortable, family-friendly staircases. As for these old ladies, they’ll offer you a wild view over the Franco-Swiss Doubs valley. Return via the peaceful riverbanks, a haven for ducks and anglers.

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Visorando Member
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↔11.63 mi ↗+2,749 ft ↘-1,909 ft ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
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Visorando Member
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↔11.21 mi ↗+3,261 ft ↘-3,248 ft ◔8h 00 ▲Difficult
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