Chemin du Jura

This route consists of five stages and leads through the entire Canton Jura with fascinating landscapes between valleys and mountains, small historic towns and amazing views. From Delémont the route follows the ridges and the shore of Lake Lucelle to Porrentruy. The old town with its stately buildings in baroque, gothic and neo-classical style is well worth a visit. And so is the majestic castle from the Middle Ages, which dominates the city. The third historic town in the Canton Jura is St-Ursanne, also known as the “pearl of the Jura”. Especially attractive is the view from the four-arched stone bridge spanning the Doubs of the medieval town with its monastery and the church.

A lovely, flat path then meanders across the meadows and along the banks of the river, all the way to Tariche, where we cross the Doubs near the holiday centre and subsequently the mountain. The route follows the path commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Canton Jura, which was founded in 1979. It passes the rock where the three regions of the canton meet. The views from the ridge of the Delémont and Doubs valleys are marvellous. Before taking the route down to Glovelier, the World War I defence structures should not be missed.

The last section leads through the Combe Tabeillon nature preserve. The scenery along the Tabeillon river alternates between meadows, ponds, ravines and forests. The area is untouched and pure with a wide variety of fauna and flora along the shaded wilderness of the valley floor. Don’t miss the protected moor ponds Bollement and Plain-de-Saigne right next to the trail. In between, the route follows the rails of the Chemin de Fer du Jura (CJ). Before reaching the destination of Saignelégier the route crosses the slightly rolling high plateau of the Freiberge Mountains. The region is well-known for the horses of the same name and the typical pastured woodlands.