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...

This is a challenging walk, best done in dry weather, with a steady climb followed by a fairly technical descent through undergrowth with roots and stones. Nature lovers will be delighted by the Doubs valley and its banks, the views from the Roches des Sommêtres and the architecture of the churches and houses in the village of Le Noirmont.

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.

Superb hike in the Doubs Gorges offering magnificent panoramic views of the gorges and the surrounding Swiss Jura peaks. To get there, you will need to pass through the famous Échelles de la Mort, which are impressive but relatively easy to climb. Once you reach the ridge, you will go from the Cendrée viewpoint to the Vieilles Femelles viewpoint via the Crampoulotte viewpoint, before descending to the banks of the river via the magnificent Charbonnière du Haut site. The return journey is along a bucolic path with a pretty waterfall at the Ulysse bridge.

The ladders are likely to remain closed until autumn. From the ‘Ladders of Death’ to the ‘Old Ladies’, here are two places that conjure up many poetic images. The ladders turn out to be comfortable, family-friendly staircases. As for these old ladies, they offer a wild view of the Franco-Swiss Doubs valley. Return via the peaceful riverbanks, a haven for ducks and anglers.

Set off to explore the Combe de Biaufond (in Switzerland) with its series of metal ladders, wooden staircases, fixed footbridges and bridges. Magical! Not recommended for those prone to vertigo. A mountain trail, therefore, difficult in places. Then the Cerneux-Godat viewpoint and the Moulin de la Mort on the banks of the Doubs. From a natural perspective, Biaufond’s main feature is its lake, which makes it a key wintering spot for the region’s waterbirds. But for everyone else, it is above all a magnificent destination for a walk and a meal by the water’s edge, at the crossroads of borders steeped in history.

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.

The ladders will probably be closed until autumn. Along picturesque, steep paths, winding through a jumble of mossy rocks, La Crampoulotte and its old ladies offer wild views of the Doubs valley. After a stop at the old charcoal kiln, you will walk along the peaceful banks of the river, a haven for ducks and fishermen. Then, facing the Échelles de la Mort (Ladders of Death), which turn out to be comfortable family stairs, you will make a sporty return via the evocative Couleuse aux Loups.

Views of the Chassera and the wind turbines in Switzerland, with the landscapes of the Haut Doubs.

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.