Tour of Chasseron from Les Rasses

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 beautiful hike through woods and pastures with stunning views, including a 360° view of Chasseron (1,606 m) on the French side and the Swiss side with the Romandy lakes of Neuchâtel and Geneva. Depending on the weather conditions, you can see and admire the Bernese, Vaud and French Alps.

This is a fairly challenging hike with some wild sections and steep climbs, between forest and pastureland. There is a magnificent 360° view of Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Geneva from the Chasseron (altitude 1,607 m). You can also discover the Pierre de Paix (energy stone). There arefootbridges and steps at the Saut de l'Eau.

From bright, flower-filled mountain pastures, you will climb towards the ridges through the silent Bataillards forest, skirting its steep limestone cliffs, the first slopes of the Jura, cut into needles that offer views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel. On the other side, the panorama stretches from La Dôle to Chasseral, via the Knoll and the Dent de Vaulion.

Set off to explore the two wind farm sites in Sainte-Croix, passing through hamlets, pastures, undergrowth and forest. You will pass Mont de la Chèvre, Mont des Cerfs (1,280 m) and its rural lodge, then make a round trip to see the Creux des Neiges chasm. The return journey is via the Sentier des Bornes trail.

A French-Swiss walk through the pastures of the "Toit du Doubs" towards these old alpine farms where the cowherd-cheesemaker stayed in the summer to look after the cattle and make cheese. Beautiful views of the Swiss mountains: the Chasseron, the Petites Roches, the Cochet and the Montagne de Baulmes.

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.