Arc jurassien
Overview
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Distance 42 km
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Ascent 680 m
Intro
A changing landscape, after the high plateau now hills and isolated valleys. From Moutier the route winds alongside the railway up to Gänsbrunnen, the language changes. Destination is Welschenrohr, once a wealthy watchmaker village behind the Weissenstein.
Description
Tramelan lies around 900 metres above sea level in the Bernese Jura. Right on the border with the Canton of Jura, the Freiberge range, including the Montagne du Droit, extends in a wide valley adjacent to the south-eastern edge. The town of Tramelan is dominated by typical watch manufacturies, some of which are of architectural value in their own right. You’re bound to make light work of the next stretch, as you take the main road through the wooded valley. Along the way, you’ll pass the small La Trame stream, still regarded as young because it has only just sprung up on the southern edge of the village of Tramelan at 912 metres above sea level. The landscape is dotted with hills and isolated valleys.
The cycle path now leaves the river behind and continues on flat terrain to the village of Le Fuet, the starting point for a longish yet gentle climb up to the woodland at Forêt de Moron. After a short forest section, the cycle path winds its way onwards through a quiet and peaceful landscape, steadily and gently downhill to the village of Sornetan. Its centre contains a number of typical 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses and another pretty building – in this case the church built in 1708. Inside is a Baroque hall for listening to sermons as well as a richly carved pulpit.
Despite being even smaller, the neighbouring village of Souboz also has its attractions: here, away from the noise of the traffic, you can admire typical farmhouses and warehouses dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Not far away, on the Moron mountain, stands the imposing 30-metre-tall round tower designed by illustrious architect Mario Botta. The view from right at the top extends far beyond the first chain of the Jura mountains all the way to the Alps, from Säntis to Mont Blanc. The tower project was launched to promote stonemasonry and introduce apprentices to the craft. It took some seven hundred apprentices four years to build.
The journey to Moutier remains full of bends but is still easy going. Moutier itself lies on the Birs River in the heart of the Jura and boasts a mix of brightly coloured houses. A number of former factories are seeking new tenants, while the steep Jura cliffs look on moodily.
The route follows the railway line and the La Raus River as far as Gänsbrunnen. En route, you come across the village of Crémines, which is known for its Sikypark – a sanctuary and retirement home for big cats. When you get to Gänsbrunnen, you’re already in the Canton of Solothurn. The final stretch runs along the main road, staying flat as you follow the banks of the Dünnern to Welschenrohr, your destination for this stage. The area is famed for the Wolfsschlucht gorge and Thal nature park, which offers a unique combination of natural and cultural landscape, of history and modernity.
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 |
Tramelan
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Welschenrohr
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| Ascent |
680 m
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| Descent |
900 m
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| Distance |
42 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
42 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Through a nature conservation area
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Quick Facts
Route number
