Hint

Intro

A scenic highlight awaits you right at the beginning: the trail through the Gorges de Perrefitte. Following the river La Chalière, you walk through the forest and over wooden bridges and stairs. 209 steps lead up to Mario Botta's observation tower on the Moron (temporarily closed). At the top: a great view of the Bernese Jura and the mountain range behind.

Detour / Closure

There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-423

Description

Starting in Perrefitte, the tour follows the Chalière, a stream in the Gorges de Perrefitte. The gorge is crossed on natural paths and over wooden bridges and walkways. It passes through a lush forest – offering some wonderful refreshment. The path is beautifully groomed. You leave the forest at Plain Fahyn via several wooden stairs and follow along the edge of the forest to the heights of the hamlet of Les Ecorcheresses. Here, the path branches off and climbs even more steeply in a gorge through forests and across meadows towards Moron.

The famous tower, designed by the renowned Ticino architect Mario Botta, rises before your eyes. A special detail: 700 apprentices were involved in its construction. The project served to promote the masonry profession and as an introduction to stonemasonry. After four years of work and 65,000 working hours, the 30-metre-high, 1,000-tonne tower made of limestone, concrete and steel was inaugurated in 2004. The viewing platform can be reached via 209 steps. The 360° panorama extends to the Black Forest, the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps. The names of the peaks are illustrated on eight photo panels.

The route back to Perrefitte leads through gentle hilly landscapes and across wooded pastures typical of the region, where horses and cattle graze. Part of the milk produced in this area is used to make the Tête de Moine AOP cheese. The place of origin of this special semi-hard cheese, the village of Bellelay, is situated to the west not far from the tower. Before arriving in Perrefitte, a nice view opens up towards Moutier, Mont Raimeux and the Graitery mountain range.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Perrefitte
Destination
Perrefitte
Ascent
880 m
Descent
880 m
Distance
16 km
Duration
5 h
Duration back
5 h
Technical requirements
Easy
Physical requirements
Difficult
Theme
With panoramic view
Signalization
Signalisation in both directions
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 423

Distance

16 km

Duration

5 h

Ascent

880 m

Travel information: Perrefitte

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