Jura Crest Trail: hiking with panoramic views

Looking for a long-distance hiking trail in Switzerland? The Jura Crest Trail takes you on a hike over summits and across linguistic boundaries. Travel blogger Anita Brechbühl reveals her favourite stages.

The hike is a real experience whatever the season. During winter, you should check for snow and how deep it is. The best time of year for this hike is March to October.

Stage seven

From the scenic Taubenloch gorge up to the Chasseral mountain – the physically challenging seventh stage culminates in you ascending the panoramic ‘King of the Jura’.

Standing at Frinvillier rail station, we look 1,350 metres up to today’s destination: the Chasseral, making this section of the Jura Crest Trail more than a match for any high-alpine tour. We strap on our backpacks and cross the Schüss river following the main road. On the opposite side of the Taubenloch gorge, signposts take us zigzagging uphill through the forest. Before long, we are treated to views way down into the Klus. The gnarled, wind-swept deciduous trees lining the trail are also quite a sight.

Just over an hour later, we’ve already racked up a climb of 500 metres. The path now widens and becomes flatter in sections, and the surroundings also change. We’re now hiking across typical Jura pastures and savouring the views over the wooded hills. Yellow gentian provides bursts of colour here in midsummer.

Peak within arms reach

On clear days, your destination soon appears ahead in the form of the 114-metre-tall transmission tower, visible from far and wide. If you’re feeling peckish, sit down under one of the giant old trees and tuck in to your picnic. You can also refuel at one of the region’s signature mountain inns, such as the Métairie Jobert. Once recharged, you can channel your remaining energy into the final ascent to the 1,606-metre summit. The reward: a spectacular panoramic view over the Three-Lakes Region, the Jura Arc and the Bernese Alps.

Short & sweet

Start: Frinvillier, Finish: Chasseral

17 km | 5h 45m | 1,350 | 500

Highlight: gnarled trees lining the trail

Stage eleven

Covering 18 kilometres of variety-packed terrain across one of the most beautiful panoramic mountains in the Vaud Jura, stage eleven has everything you need for a rewarding hike.

The eleventh stage of the Jura Crest Trail starts not far from Lake Neuchâtel up above the village of Provence, at Les Rochats restaurant. On fine summer days, the sun terrace here fills up fast. Making a stop before we’ve even got our boots dirty? You bet! We order a café au lait, check the route for today’s tour and gear up for the short but challenging ascent to the 1,607-metre-high Chasseron.

A rich and varied nine-kilometre stretch lies ahead of us, following gentle undulations along the slopes of the Jura heading west. We take wide gravel tracks through the agreeably shady thickets of extensive deciduous forests, marvel at large, solitary spruce trees and navigate our way along nature trails across wide, lush green Jura meadows. It’s a route that lets you drink in the different facets of the Jura landscape. After a good hour and a half, shortly after ‘La Cruchaude’, the terrain changes. Instead of a balance of ascents and flat parts, the path now meanders steadily uphill towards Chasseron. Our perseverance is repaid at the top with a phenomenal panoramic view. The Jura slopes lead gently down to Lake Neuchâtel to the south, while rugged limestone cliffs cascade down to the north.

View across half the country

Before tackling the descent to Sainte-Croix, once known worldwide as the global centre of music box manufacturing, we treat ourselves to a break on the sun terrace of Hotel du Chasseron. If you want to spend even longer savouring the magnificent Alpine panorama with views stretching from the Titlis to Geneva’s local mountain, Mont Salève, book an overnight stay on the Chasseron.

Short & sweet

Start: Les Rochats, Finish: Ste-Croix

18 km | 5h 30m | 780 | 860

Highlight: panoramic view from the Chasseron

Stage 14

Through never-ending pastures up to the highest point in the Swiss Jura – Mont Tendre. This stage doesn’t skimp on the glorious panoramic views.

By now we’re already a long way west on our hike along the Jura ridgeway. Three more stages in Le Pont lie between us and the finish in Nyon this morning. We are at the easternmost point of Lac de Joux in the high valley of the same name. As we enjoy the view over the largest lake in the Jura massif from the lakeside promenade, the last wisps of mist clear and allow the sun through.

Today’s section takes us 22 kilometres, going from Le Pont over the highest point of the Swiss Jura. So, with still some way to go, we stride off purposefully. The signpost leads us away from the shore up a forest path towards Col de Mollendruz. From here, we leave the feeling of civilisation behind us and immerse ourselves in the vast expanse of the Jura pastures. Farms scattered here and there, winding gravel paths, sweeping views over pine forests – the daily hustle and bustle is a distant memory. Another special highlight of this stage are the Tockenstein walls. They follow the ridges of the hills and make up kilometres of imposing stone structures.

Finish towards the grand vista

On the final stretch up to the 1,679-metre Mont Tendre, we’re treated to a fantastic panoramic view of the Alps. The view extends from the Vaud and Valais Alps over the Mont Blanc massif and the Geneva Jet d’eau to the Vosges and accompanies us on the remaining seven kilometres up the Col du Marchairuz.

Short & sweet

Start: Le Pont, Finish: Col du Marchairuz

22 km | 6h 30mins | 1,050 | 620

Highlight: dry stone walls for miles