Chasseral–Weissenstein Bike
Overview
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Distance 33 km
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Ascent 1450 m
Intro
Typical Jura: pleasant hills, rugged gorges and mountain taverns. The route follows the ridge of the southernmost Jura chain with wonderful views over the Bernese Seeland region as far as the Alps. Thrilling downhill run to baroque Solothurn.
Description
The twin villages of Sonceboz-Sombeval lie above Biel on the eastern edge of the Jura valley of Vallon de Saint-Imier. The villages were agricultural until well into the 19th century. The development of the watch industry set in motion an economic upturn.
Shortly after the start, a forest road takes you up to the Col de Pierre Pertuis pass, which was used as far back as Roman times. After the pass, you dive into a new world: Forest and meadows alternate, the road gives way to complete tranquillity. Or almost: This will probably be disturbed by your own breathing, which will get increasingly loud over the next 400 metres of elevation. In the distance, you can see the transmission mast on the Chasseral and the wind turbines on Mont Soleil. Once you pass the Montoz hut at 1,254 metres, the hardest climb is over. The La Werdtberg hotel and restaurant invites you to take a break, with a magnificent view of the Swiss plateau region and across to the Alps. A panoramic map helps to correctly identify the peaks: From Pilatus to the Eiger and Mont Blanc, you can spot several “famous faces”.
Suitably refreshed, the onward route is pleasant: Almost ten kilometres on gravel roads, climbing slightly through the typical Jura mountain landscape. From the Pré-Richard restaurant, you continue for several kilometres on surfaced road to Obergrenchenberg. From here, it’s technically demanding: A pleasant trail over the meadow is followed by a challenging, steep forest path on loose terrain. After mastering the short downhill passages, the arduous climb to Stallberg begins.
To the south is the Stallflue and directly behind it the Bettlachstock. What many people probably don’t know is that this is a Natural World Heritage Site. It was added to the UNESCO list of “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” in 2021. The background: 18,000 years ago, large parts of Europe were covered by ice; only in southern Europe were there still forests. 12,000 years ago, beech trees slowly began to spread again. The phenomenon of a tree species reconquering a continent over millennia is unique. The last few hours of cycling follow, again over undulating terrain. After 33 kilometres, a beautiful tree-lined avenue takes you to the destination for this stage on the Weissenstein.
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
| Type |
Trip
|
|---|---|
| Start location |
Sonceboz-Sombeval
|
| Destination |
Solothurn
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
1450 m
|
| Descent |
840 m
|
| Distance |
33 km
|
| Distance on tarred ways |
6 km
|
| Distance on natural surface |
26 km
|
| Singletrail (part of natural surface) |
1 km
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Theme |
Over a pass, To a mountain peak, With panoramic view
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Quick Facts
Route number
