Lötschberg–Jura
Overview
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Distance 43 km
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Ascent 580 m
Intro
The mountain pass Col des Rangiers leads to the region where the famous Damassine spirit is distilled from a small plum. The route continues across the fields to Porrentruy, the former residence of the prince-bishops. The view from the castle over the old town is superb.
Description
In Delémont, you have the chance to top up your water bottle at one of the five large 16th-century fountains, and then off you go. The route follows the Ruisseau de la Pran stream – and, unfortunately, the motorway too – until you get to Develier, at which point the cycle path leaves the villages behind and takes you through woodland and across fields full of frolicking cows. This is perhaps hardly surprising – after all, they are partly responsible for the success of the award-winning Gruyère from the cheesemakers at «Fromagerie de Develier».
The route winds along two large bends before climbing up to the Col des Rangiers mountain pass 856 metres above sea level, which connects the villages of Develier and Courgenay. From there, the stage continues along winding roads. Surrounded by sturdy beech, pine and oak trees that are often entwined with ivy and glistening moss, you then descend to the village of La Malcôte. The region you now find yourself in is often known as the «orchard of the Jura». It is famed above all for its red damson plum, a special variety that is distilled here to make the famous Eau de Damassine – a schnapps that is highly prized amongst connoisseurs.
From Cornol, it is only a short hop to Porrentruy. The capital of the Ajoie district and the second largest town in the canton of Jura, it is not far from the French border. The old centre is well worth a visit, with its Baroque, Gothic and Neo-Classical town houses. Interspersed between them are a number of large fountains such as the Samariterbrunnen and Schweizerbrunnen. The 1563 Porte de France gateway, part of the town’s mediaeval fortifications, is still standing.
The walking and cycling path along the l’Allaine River turns even more picturesque as you head west towards France. The region around the Allaine valley is dotted with caves large and small, some of which were inhabited as long ago as the Neolithic period. The final stretch of the route has no major climbs and stays away from busy roads; instead, you can enjoy peaceful countryside and villages as well as fields, forests and bodies of water.
Not long after leaving the woodland behind, you reach Boncourt – your destination for this stage and thus the end point of the Lötschberg to Jura route. Boncourt has had a chequered history, experiencing changing administrative structures and owing its allegiance to various overlords over time. In the 19th century, the construction of a tobacco factory and the arrival of the railway helped the village grow, making Boncourt one of the wealthiest communities in the whole Canton of Jura.
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 |
Delémont
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Boncourt
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| Ascent |
580 m
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| Descent |
620 m
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| Distance |
43 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
41 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
2 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Over a pass
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Quick Facts
Route number
