Nods (Canton de Berne) walks

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.

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.

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.

Tenth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Frinvillier, the route begins with a beautiful climb through fields and old solitary trees to Sur le Chables, the last French-speaking stop in Switzerland. The landscape then changes: a clearing opens onto a dense forest lined with ferns, leading to Wäsmeli. After a paved section between Unterer Stierenberg and Grenchenberg, short climbs take you up to the Stallflue plateau. There, you are treated to a breathtaking panorama: the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the meandering Aare River, before arriving at Weissenstein.

A beautiful area for spending the night in a van or camping serves as a car park. The hike starts through a free zoo, then you can cool off in the gorges before returning via the heights of the city. A great route when it's hot, which you can listen to to avoid the heat of the city on the last kilometre...

Eighth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From the Col de la Vue des Alpes, the flower-filled route winds through pastures to Mont d'Amin, offering a vast panorama of the Mittelland and the Chasseral massif. A long descent then leads to Les Vieux Prés, whose bocage landscape is reminiscent of Normandy: hedges, trees and dry stone walls delimit the plots. After the farming village of Le Pâquier, the trail crosses the Combe Biosse, a limestone gorge carved out by erosion, before reaching the Chasseral ridge, with the Alps and the lakes of Morat, Biel and Neuchâtel as a backdrop.

Are you only going to do one of these hikes? Then choose to explore this valley, a pure marvel! To start with, the Gorges du Doubs, which are full of sunny green beauty here. Then there are the light-filled forests towards Roche Guillaume and the mountain pastures, which overlook the valley. And the highlight: the Gorges de la Ronde, wild, lush and tropical in appearance, framed by high rocks, a world of stones, moss and ferns.

Beautiful views, a lovely setting and an unusual part of the hike, crossing the death ladders.

There are no danger points on these ladders. This site, steeped in history, bears witness to the fear once inspired by these legendary places, the scene of many fatal accidents during the "bricotte" (smuggling) era, when the ladders were nothing more than tree trunks crossed by pieces of wood. Today, these comfortable family staircases, which you can climb safely, will allow you to discover the Doubs Gorges from a variety of viewpoints.

Coming from Goumois (Switzerland), park at the end of the Vautenaivre leat, next to a small rest area (with barbecue).

Starting from Les Blanches-Fontaines south of Undervelier (Canton of Jura), this hike offers a magnificent ascent of the Sorne river and its gorges dotted with several waterfalls, passing by Lac Vert, all in a wild environment, to the hamlet of Pichoux, then climbing up to the plateau overlooking the gorges to enjoy a magnificent view. Continue along the plateau via Rebévelier, then a moderately pleasant descent down the Côte de Tirmenté to the Combe des Beusses. Return to the lush vegetation at the bottom of the valley via the Combe es Monin (home to a private foundation dedicated to children), then a short climb to Blanche Maison with another beautiful view of the landscape and a hilly descent passing above the Pré de Joux, then through several pastures towards Undervelier. Short link along the road, climbing up the Sorne to the start.

This last stage will take you to the capital of the Franches-Montagnes district, renowned for its horse breed. On leaving Glovelier, you will cross the Combe Tabeillon nature reserve. You will pass several small lakes, including the pleasant Plain de Saigne. You will cross the village of Montfaucon, built on a ridge. You will cross pastures where many horses graze before arriving in Saignelégier.

Starting from Maîche, pass through Les Bréseux to see, in particular, its Comtois-style church with magnificent modern stained glass windows, then on to Rochet du Bourbet, a viewpoint over the Dessoubre valley and picnic area. Return via the QuatreGrottes de Waroly, the Waroly waterfalls and the hamlet of La Lizerne. Several interesting viewpoints: Rochet du Bourbet, on the way down to the Château de l'Ermitage, then on the way back up to the hamlet of La Lizerne, among others.

During this fourth stage, you will walk along the banks of the Doubs to Tariche. You will cross the Doubs on a self-service boat. Then you will follow a ridge overlooking the Delémont valley and the Doubs. You will take the very pleasant Combe du Bé to reach Glovelier.

Hike from Chambrelien, passing through Champ du Moulin and following the Gorges de l'Areuse trail, with several views of Lake Neuchâtel. You will follow the blue trail, where you may spot chamois, then the gorge trail to admire the waterfalls.

From the castle ruins, you will climb up to the ledges where, like tightrope walkers from one border marker to the next, you will walk along the ridge line, neither in France nor in Switzerland. You will reach the Réclère Caves, considered the most beautiful in the world by the first explorers in 1886. From Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne to Conan Doyle's The Lost World, you will squeeze between dinosaur feet. The return journey, via the old farmhouse at Montavon, will be less adventurous.

From the heart of Saint-Hyppolyte, nestled in the Revirot valley (where the Doubs and Dessoubre rivers meet), along its narrow streets lined with medieval houses, you will climb boldly towards the Chamesol plateau, a balcony overlooking the valley, to reach the viewpoint on the rocks and the vast cave where our ancestors built a castle that was unfortunately destroyed. Through beautiful forests and secret clearings, you will return via Soulce and its salt well, the Ursulines farm at the foot of the rocks and the tufa cave.

The trail offers views of the Doubs valley and ends with a descent to Saint-Hippolyte from La Chapelle du Mont, passing by the site of the Château de la Roche.

This first stage of the Chemin du Jura begins in Delémont, the capital of the Canton of Jura. You will cross this pretty medieval town. A forest path will take you to a plateau offering a view of the Jura mountain range. Before descending to Lake Lucelle, you can enjoy another panoramic view at the Grande Roche. The village of Lucelle in Switzerland no longer has any accommodation, so you will make a short detour into Alsace, to the commune of Lucelle in France, where you can stay at the Auberge du Petit Kolhberg.

A pleasant route for exploring the canton of Jura. This five-day itinerary will take you through the canton's three districts: Delémont, Porrentruy and the Franches Montagnes.