Jura Route
Overview
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Distance 36 km
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Ascent 660 m
Intro
Past dark moorland ponds up to a solar power plant and whistling windmills, edged by sycamores strung with lichen and via the flat ridge of the Mont Soleil to the contrast of La Chaux-de-Fonds, into the mercurial timepiece metropolis.
Description
You should take enough drinking water with you in the Jura. You will often see "Eau non potable" signs telling you not to drink the water from fountains, inviting though they might be. If you still haven't spotted enough horses in the magnificent countryside of the Franches-Montagnes, head for Le Roselet. In La Chaux-des-Breuleux, after visiting the must-see "Etang de la Gruère" lakelet, you're best to turn off to the right. There is a retirement home for horses, donkeys and ponies at Le Roselet. You can learn all about the different phases of these animals' lifecycles here.
Switzerland's largest solar power plant is located 1,289 meters above sea level. You'll need to pedal hard to climb up to Mont Soleil. Surrounded by lichen-clad sycamore maples, the plant whistles away into the landscape as the rotor blades turn. The wind farm here achieved international fame in the early 1990s on account of its photovoltaic installation. After tackling the downhill stretch to Montagne du Droit, turn round and look back for a view of Vallon de St.-Imier and the important watchmaking town that bears the same name as the valley. You also have an enticing view of the Jura Mountains, with the Chasseral and its fellow peaks; the Alps are in the background, so far away that they seem tiny.
Most of the farm dogs, however, are not so tiny. It is rather surprising that even the big ones race up to welcome you here in the Jura, tails wagging with joy. You pedal along zig-zag tracks with elongated drystone walls and sprawling farmyards where the precious rainwater is collected in cisterns. All of a sudden, the first high-rises of La Chaux-de-Fonds appear, striking a somewhat surreal note. At about 1,000 meters above sea level, this watchmaking city – surrounded by very thinly populated terrain – numbers among the highest larger cities in Europe. Built at an altitude that was revolutionary at the time, this city with its chessboard streetscape and abundance of Art Nouveau buildings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
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 |
Saignelégier
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|---|---|
| Destination |
La Chaux-de-Fonds
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| Ascent |
660 m
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| Descent |
620 m
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| Distance |
36 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
36 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Through a nature conservation area, To a mountain peak, With panoramic view
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/veloland/etappe7.03... |
Quick Facts
Route number
