Lötschberg–Jura
Overview
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Distance 38 km
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Ascent 320 m
Intro
After passing through some lovely gorges, among them those at Moutier which once inspired Goethe, the landscape opens up to a wide valley. The journey ends in Delémont, the capital of the canton of Jura. Its historic center is well worth a visit.
Description
The cycle path from Biel/Bienne to Sonceboz runs alongside a busy road and through the Taubenloch gorge, which is around three kilometres long. If you prefer to take the train for this unsignposted stretch of the route, you’ll have more time to spare in Biel/Bienne, which boasts a pretty old town and a great many museums.
From Sonceboz, the stage continues over the Schüss River and on into the forest as far as the Parc Régional Chasseral regional park, where you head steadily uphill towards the Col de Pierre-Pertuis at around 827 metres above sea level. The route is full of interesting rock and cave formations to be admired as you go.
Behind the forest lies Tavannes, one of the larger municipalities in the Bernese Jura and a place whose history stretches back to Roman times, taking in industrialisation on the way. Tavannes became particularly well known thanks to its watchmaking industry, which became established here in the late 19th century. Its population has fluctuated over time, especially as a result of economic developments. The source of the Birs/Birse can also be found here at the foot of the Col de Pierre-Pertuis. From now on, it will accompany cyclists all the way to Delémont.
Just like the watchmaking town of Tavannes, the villages of Reconvilier, Malleray, Bévilard and Sorvilier are likewise dominated by industry and agriculture. The fields are wide and the villages small. Once past Court, however, things begin to get really impressive as you come upon the Gorges de Court – a number of majestic gorges that form part of the Vieille Birse nature reserve. Gradually, the gorges give way to the valley, and the cycle path descends down to Moutier.
Next up are the Gorges de Moutier, where the main road, Birs/Birse and railway team up to wend their collective way through impressive rocky terrain. At the exit of the Moutier gorges is the village of Courrendlin, boasting a real eye-catcher at its centre: the 1697 «Tour de l’Horloge» clock tower, a late-Gothic prison and archive building with stepped gables.
At this point, the valley opens up slowly and the route carves out a long, straight path through an expansive landscape all the way to Delémont, your destination for this stage. The youngest cantonal capital in Switzerland boasts a rich history and a charming old town, with a wealth of historic buildings to discover – including the city hall, the church of St. Marcel and the castle, the former summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel.
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 |
Biel/Bienne
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Delémont
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| Ascent |
320 m
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| Descent |
560 m
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| Distance |
38 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
38 km
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| Physical requirements |
Easy
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| Theme |
Over a pass, Through a gorge
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Quick Facts
Route number
