La Sibérie Bike
Overview
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Distance 37 km
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Ascent 900 m
Intro
Minus 42 °C is the temperature record for La Brévine, also known as the «Siberia of Switzerland». La Sibérie Bike runs from the small watchmaking village of Les Ponts-de-Martel to the coldest place in Switzerland. The view of the gentle Jura pastures, the forested mountain ridges and the distant view of the Alpine chain round off the tour.
Description
After the start at the train station of the watchmaking village of Ponts-de-Martel the first few kilometres of Vallée des Ponts are flat and easy. Fuel peat from the extensive peat bogs on the left was harvested far into the 20th century and high tapping edges are visible throughout the area. Today this is a strict nature reserve.
After the bogs the trail turns right. A rocky ascent in the forest leads across a pass to Vallée de la Brévine on the other side. The village of the same name is known particularly for its harsh climate. The local temperature station registered minus 41.8°C in January 1987, the lowest temperature ever measured at an official Swiss weather station. Temperatures of around -30 degrees are not uncommon, which is why La Brévine is also known as the «Siberia of Switzerland».
Every year the “Fête du froid” is held to celebrate the cold.
The route approaches and then follows the Swiss border on Zollweg for about 10 km. Two km or so are on the French side. The border crossing is near le Seignolet. The Zollweg section is hilly and technically a bit more challenging.
On most of this section, you are in the forest, the rest runs across a meadow. A flat, paved road leads to the foot of Grand Sonmartel, the highest point of the tour, which is reached via a single trail and a path. The ascent is quite steep.
The views from the heights of Petit and Grand Sonmartel of the La Sagne valley, the Mont Racine mountain range and the Alps are spectacular, with sprawling meadows and massive spruce trees forming the backdrop.
Finally, you enjoy the steep descent across the Pouette Combe ravine before reaching the starting point in Les Ponts-de-Martel a short while later.
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 |
Les Ponts-de-Martel
|
| Destination |
Les Ponts-de-Martel
|
| Direction |
Round trip
|
| Ascent |
900 m
|
| Descent |
900 m
|
| Distance |
37 km
|
| Distance on tarred ways |
19 km
|
| Distance on natural surface |
12 km
|
| Singletrail (part of natural surface) |
6 km
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in one direction
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switz... |
Quick Facts
Route number
