Chemin de Bellelay
Overview
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Distance 15 km
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Duration 4 h 25 min
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Ascent 620 m
Intro
This route through the Petit-Val holds many surprises in store. Starting at Bellelay, the cradle of the famous Tête de Moine AOP cheese, the path leads through landscapes of wooded-pastures to the impressive Pichoux Gorge. Enjoy the sweeping views of the Jura countryside and the tranquillity of the little-known valley.
Description
The hike begins in Bellelay. Across wooded pastures, typical of the Bernese Jura, you reach the hamlet of Moron. The view extends over the stunning landscape of wooded pastures with its pine forests and meadows lined up like a mosaic. Again and again, curious cows are waiting right next to the trail. Shortly afterwards, you enter the forest. The shady forest path winds slightly downhill towards Sornetan. In places, the forest opens up to reveal the wooded, hilly countryside.
A little later, you reach Sornetan. The village lies at an altitude of 843 metres on a promontory on the northern slope of the Moron range. A visit to the Reformed parish church dating from 1708 is well worth it. Thanks to its valuable interior decoration with hand-carved choir stalls and a richly decorated pulpit, it is one of the most beautiful churches in the Bernese Jura. Once in the village centre, you can enjoy the charm of the well-preserved farmhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
From Sornetan, the path descends gently to Pichoux. Approaching the rushing water, you reach the gate of the impressive Gorges de Pichoux. In the gorge created by the Sorne, there are many springs with water gushing out from between the limestone rocks and flowing down, sometimes squeezed between almost vertical rock faces. After a steep climb from the banks of the Sorne, you reach the Semplain farmstead. Just a few metres from the farm, a barely traced path leads to the Semplain viewpoint, where, surprisingly, you will find yourself on top of a rocky outcrop. Here, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the entire Pichoux Gorge.
From the top of the Gorges du Pichoux, the route continues below the Droit Mont ridge, passing small farms scattered among lovely meadows. A final climb leads through the Forêt de Béroie to Bellelay, the birthplace of Tête de Moine AOP. If you'd like to learn more about the famous cheese's history and production traditions, visit the Maison de la Tête de Moine. The museum, with its show dairy and cheese cellar, invites you to travel back in time and provides a delightful experience for the taste buds.
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
| Start location |
Bellelay
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Bellelay
|
| Ascent |
620 m
|
| Descent |
620 m
|
| Distance |
15 km
|
| Duration |
4 h 25 min
|
| Duration back |
4 h 25 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
Jura bernois Tourisme
Avenue de la Gare 9
2740
Moutier
Quick Facts
Route number
