ViaJura
Overview
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Distance 15 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 400 m
Intro
From Sornetan the ViaJura leads across idyllic moorland to Tavannes. From Tavannes to Sonceboz the route crosses the Pass des Pierre-Pertuis, where you can marvel at a natural rock tunnel, a landmark from Roman times.
Description
The farming village of Sornetan in the Bernese Jura lies on a hill in front of the northern slope of the Moron Jura chain, about 100 metres above the valley floor of the Sorne. The place boasts one of the most beautiful churches in the Bernese Jura, dating from 1708.
Outside the village, the trail soon branches off into the forest. Now begins the climb on the Moron's steep, densely forested northern slope. At the top, you will be about 1,000 metres above sea level on vast Jura pastures with grazing horses. After the village of Moron, the trail leads back down into the valley.
Now Bellelay lies to the right. The village is known for its imposing monastery and as the place of origin of Tête de Moine. The historic cheese dairy is located in the barn of the old monastery and can be visited.
The route continues not to Bellelay but to the plain south of there and into the wetland at Rière la Rouge Eau. You walk across lush meadows and past rare flora on long wooden footbridges. You pass the Rouge Eau on the left before reaching the bus stop. Carts from Roman times have left impressive traces nearby.
An impressive avenue of trees leads between two hill ranges towards the hamlet of Le Fuet. Past the church, over a hilly pasture and a dead-straight canal, you reach the Forêt de Chaindon. Just before leaving the forest, the trail passes a waste treatment plant. Following the edge of the forest and passing a pretty little forest pond, the route climbs up to the small ridge of Craveçon.
A marvellous, narrow path leads across the hillcrest, with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside and Tavannes. The village, heavily influenced by the watchmaking industry, is also home to the source of the Birs. At the village's southern edge, you reach a natural rock passage dating back to the third century, developed by the Romans.
Follow the road for a short while and then a gravel path through the forest to reach the small Pierre Pertuis pass. The pass road already served the Romans as a connection between Avenches and Augst. Leaving the woods, you are already at the stage destination in Sonceboz-Sombeval. The double municipality above Biel lies on the eastern edge of the Jura valley of Saint-Imier.
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 |
Sornetan
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Sonceboz
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
800 m
|
| Ascent |
400 m
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| Descent |
620 m
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| Distance |
15 km
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| Duration |
4 h
|
| Duration back |
4 h 20 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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Quick Facts
Route number
