Môtiers walks

Rousseau once wrote «I have, opposite my windows, a beautiful waterfall which from the mountain top, plunges from a rocky escarpment into the valley, with a sound heard for miles around, especially when waters are high». From waterfall to waterfall, alongside these impressively steep gorges which once inspired fear (poëta from the latin putidus meaning "altered, fetid"), this trail will lead you through a delightful hike through rocks and water.

The goal for this second stage is to climb Chasseron. This rocky cliff offers breathtaking views of Lake Neuchâtel and, further south, Lake Geneva. You will also enjoy views of numerous Alpine peaks in the distance, rising up from the horizon.

Sixth stage, from Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Les Rochats, the route climbs gently through pastures and wooded areas. You then arrive at the impressive Creux du Van rock cirque. From the heights, the view of Lake Neuchâtel is splendid. Then, taking the Sentier des Quatorze Contours trail, you descend towards Noiraigue, surrounded by two natural wonders: the Creux du Van rock cirque and the Areuse Gorges.

A superb hike in an iconic site in the Swiss Jura, accessible to most people. You will encounter some not-so-wild wildlife, including ibex and chamois. Magnificent flora and landscapes and superb views. Not to mention the dairy farms where you can stop for food and refreshments.

Seventh stage from Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Noiraigue, the route begins with a steady climb before joining a varied trail that runs along a ridge dotted with viewpoints and clearings. Le Creux du Van, Lake Neuchâtel and, on a clear day, the Alps with Mont Blanc accompany you on your way to the Tablettes viewpoint. The hike continues towards the Tête de Ran (1,422 m), offering breathtaking views of the Alps, Lake Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds. Finally, a short descent takes you to the Col de la Vue des Alpes, a natural link between the valleys of Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds.

During this first stage, after the tedious climb up the 14 contours, you will be rewarded by the local geological curiosity, the Creux du Van. This Swiss version of the "Grand Canyon" is a large rocky cirque 1.5 km long and 200 m high. At Soliat, you will enjoy a splendid panorama of Lake Neuchâtel.

This magnificent route passes through peaceful forests, along long ridges and steep cliffs. Every day offers panoramic views of the peaks of the Alps, the lakes of Neuchâtel, Geneva and Joux, and curiosities such as the great Cirque du Creux du Van.

The small village of Noiraigue in the Val de Travers is the starting point for the magnificent Gorges de l’Areuse hike, the upper entrance to which is only about 1 km away. The route runs alongside the railway line and the valley narrows considerably. The impressive gorge, with its idyllic old stone bridge, is at Saut de Brot. Continuing towards Champ-du-Moulin along a small road, you will find another crossing via a section of path that leads you back into the gorges. Gigantic rock faces soar skywards. The path takes you over small bridges and through tunnels. Then, a power station marks the end of the spectacle; just one last bridge to cross and head towards Champ-du-Moulin for the return journey along a forest road and a view of Le Creux du Van.

A superb walk along the River Areuse with its various gradients and several bridges spanning it, leading out of the gorges to a magnificent view of Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps. The return journey from this hike will be by train from Bole station.

Le Creux du Van is a natural cirque located in the Swiss Jura. It was formed by the freezing and thawing action of a glacier. It is now accessible from several locations, such as from Noiraigue via the Sentier des Quatorze Contours. This hike has a significant climb over the first few kilometres. It is also possible to return via the Gorges de l’Areuse, at the Saut du Brot.

This beautiful hike in the Swiss Jura mountains will take you along the renowned Sentier des Quatorze Contours to the magnificent Creux du Van cirque with its steep cliffs, home to a herd of around twenty ibexes, which you’re almost certain to spot provided you keep a safe distance from them. Pass the summit of Mont Soliat before reaching the Grand Vy farm and restaurant and beginning your descent. You’ll then walk along the foot of these magnificent cliffs to the aptly named Fontaine Froide, before reaching the Ferme Robert – a seasonal relaxation area – and returning to your car park, your eyes still filled with images of this spectacular landscape.

Le Creux du Van is one of the most famous geological formations in the Jura. This immense cirque with its impressive vertical cliffs offers steep landscapes that contrast with the gentle neighbouring pastures. This is the hike to do to discover the Val de Travers. It is very easy to see ibex here, as they are used to walkers.

A short detour via the summit of Val de Morteau with a splendid view of the Alps (weather permitting). Mont Châteleu, which is inconspicuous when approached from this side, hidden by vegetation, offers a splendid panorama with its two orientation tables. On one side, there is a magnificent view of the Alps and below, from the second table, a view of Les Gras and, further away, Les Rochers du Cerf.

Hike around Chasseron with a direct and sustained climb to the summit, offering beautiful panoramic views. The descent is then a gentle and pleasant walk along the ridge line back to the car park. Accessible route.

From Les Gras, you will climb through beautiful, clear forests to the Rochers du Cerf ridge trail and its many viewpoints over the discreet Théverot valley, Mont Châteleu and the Swiss mountains. Return via the Swiss pastures and their concert of cowbells.

Passing through beautiful pine forests, you will walk along a small gorge, home to waterfalls where the rotation of pebbles has carved the soft rock over thousands of years, forming basins known as chaudières in our Haut-Doubs region. Then, passing isolated farms nestled in the hollows of the pastures and surrounded by our good old Montbéliard cows, you will reach a panorama stretching south-west over the Chasseron, the Suchet, the Gras topped by the Rochers du Cerf, Switzerland to the south and, in fine weather, Mont Blanc.

There are several points of interest to discover on this hike: - what water can do in our Jura mountains, - our beautiful mid-mountain landscapes with forests and pastures, - the beautiful forests of the Haut-Doubs.

Stage 5 From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Sainte-Croix, the birthplace of music boxes and automatons, you set off across the vast pastures of the Vaud Jura towards La Casba and Les Avattes. The path then winds its way to Les Petites Roches before reaching the mysterious Pierre de la Paix, a place full of energy and serenity. One last effort takes you to the summit of Chasseron, at an altitude of 1,608 metres, where a magnificent panorama opens up over Switzerland and France. At your feet lie Lake Neuchâtel and, further south, the majestic Lake Geneva. Nearly 250 kilometres of Alpine ridges stretch out on the horizon, creating a breathtaking natural fresco. The descent is gentle to the hamlet of Les Rochats, at the start of the Les Cluds cross-country ski trail, where an old military barracks remains, a discreet witness to a forgotten past.

The highlight of this third stage will be the Suchet. At your feet, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Neuchâtel. You will also be very close to the French-Swiss border. In Vallorbe, you will notice the presence of old railway crafts.

A walk along the Arnon, a river that, over time, has carved out the Covatannaz Gorges and its impressive cliffs. Passing through the village of Baulmes and following the Baumine river upstream towards the Aiguilles de Baulmes, a series of peaks rising to 1,560 m. The path along the ridge offers a magnificent 180° panorama of the Alps, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Geneva and the Vaud plateau.