ViaJura
Overview
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Distance 21 km
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Duration 5 h 45 min
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Ascent 700 m
Intro
High-level hike from Laufen over the lonely high Jura plateau between Birs and Lützel, down to the valley floor, finally passing the pilgrimage church and castle ruins at Vorbourg and through the Birsklus (gorge) to Delsberg, the main town in the Jura.
Description
Laufen lies on the Birs in the Laufen Valley and is notable for its historic old town with numerous street cafés. Fossils from a 20-kilometre radius around Laufen can be viewed in the museum. More than 2,000 of the 150- to 200-million-year-old remains of the former Jurassic Sea are preserved here.
The settlement area is quickly left behind in a westerly direction, and the path leads into the forest, where the narrow Lützel flows pleasantly alongside the hikers. Next, turn left and climb steeply up the Bueberg in a narrow zigzag. Steps and chains hanging from moss-covered rocks make the ascent easier. Further on, a straight path leads between forest and fields along the slope and around the Bueberg ridge to the Lööli meadows. The name is to be understood as a diminutive of "Loo", an old word for a small forest.
Past a few old farmhouses and horse pastures, the route leads over secluded plateaus into the canton of Solothurn and back into the canton of Baselland. With a bit of luck, you may spot storks in the fields along the way. Between the wooded hills of L'Aibet and Schattenberg, you cross the language and cantonal borders into the Jura. Behind it, you reach the Étang de la Réselle pond. After another two hours of gentle descent, you get to the village of Soyhières, surrounded by wooded hills.
To the south of the village, the Birs flows through the valley. Directly behind it rises a steep, wooded slope. On its rocky crest are the ruins of the Château de Soyhières. A wild, winding path now leads through poppy meadows and tree-lined avenues in the Birs Valley past farmhouses and woodlands. Below the ruins of Château du Vorbourg, the Vorbourg chapel can be seen on an imposing rocky outcrop above a narrow gorge of the Birs. Thanks to its unique character and well-preserved remains, the trail to the historic site of Vorbourg is considered an object of national importance.
The outskirts of Delémont, the canton's capital, are reached through a beautiful wooded area and an avenue of trees. Surrounded by the densely wooded, hilly landscape lies the historic town with its medieval buildings and gates. Inviting terraces, Renaissance-style fountains, the castle, and the bell tower of the St-Marcel church invite you to linger.
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 |
Laufen
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Delémont
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
600 m
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| Ascent |
700 m
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| Descent |
640 m
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| Distance |
21 km
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| Duration |
5 h 45 min
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| Duration back |
5 h 45 min
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
All year
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Quick Facts
Route number
