Switzerland's Jura Crest Trail

A two week trek from Zurich to Geneva

By Ali Rowsell

Guidebook to the Jura Crest Trail or Cretes du Jura (also known as the Jura High Route), traversing the undulating limestone plateau of the Swiss Jura. The 310km trail, from Dielsdorf near Zurich to Nyon on Lac Leman (Lake Geneva), is presented in 14 day stages and boasts great scenery and rich natural, historical and geological interest.

Seasons

The best time of year to walk the Jura Crest Trail is between May and September, when more accommodation options and transport links are available.

Centres

Dielsdorf, Baden, Brugg, Balsthal, Weissenstein, Solothurn (slightly off-route), Biel/Bienne (slightly off-route), Vue des Alpes, Noiraigue, Vallorbe, Le Pont, Ste-Cergue, Nyon

Difficulty

Stages are graded according to difficulty. The Jura Crest Trail is classified as an easy hiking trail (Wanderweg), with some sections requiring a higher level of fitness than others. Stage 1 has the only optional section of 'mountain' trail (Bergweg), to descend into Baden. Specialist equipment is not required.

Must See

The historic medieval towns of Regensberg, Baden and Brugg; the geological wonders of the Creux du Van and La Dole; Chasseral (1607m), Le Chasseron (1607m) and Mont Tendre (1679m); WWI & WWII relics such as the fortress and mountain road of the Belchenflue; Switzerland's largest mountain lake above 1000m, Lac de Joux; Switzerland's largest lake, Lac Léman (Lake Geneva); impressive cols linking Switzerland to France
ISBN
9781852849450
Availability
Published
Published
11 Jan 2019
Edition
First
Pages
184
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.10cm
Weight
210g
Overview
This guide presents Switzerland's Jura Crest Trail or Crêtes du Jura (also known as the Jura High Route and Swiss national route 5. This 310km long-distance route traverses the sub-alpine mountains of the Swiss Jura from Dielsdorf near Zurich to Nyon on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), running roughly parallel to the Swiss-French border. With over 13,500m of ascent, the trail demands a moderate level of fitness and can be comfortably completed in around a fortnight.

The Jura Crest Trail is easily accessed from Zurich and Geneva. The region boasts excellent walking infrastructure and facilities, and although the trail crosses the mountains, you are seldom too far from civilisation. The guide contains all the information you need to plan and walk the route. You'll find advice on transport and comprehensive details of accommodation and refreshments. The trek itself is presented from east to west in 14 stages of 12-32km, with step-by-step route description accompanied by clear mapping and notes on local points of interest.

The Jura Crest Trail boasts far-reaching views of the Bernese Oberland, the Haute Savoie and the Rhine and Rhone Valleys, and is rich in geological, natural and historical interest. Passing through woodland and alpine meadows and crossing rolling limestone plateaux, highlights include the spectacular amphitheatre of the Creux du Van, the medieval towns of Baden and Brugg, and Lac de Joux, the largest lake in the Jura mountains.
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Ali Rowsell

Ali Rowsell is a full-time teacher who has worked internationally, in countries including Australia, South Korea and Switzerland. She specialises in the outdoors, in particular mountain walking, and is a freelance International Mountain Leader. Based in Sussex, Ali continues to venture into Switzerland on a regular basis:  having lived in the southern part of the Jura, she is very familiar with the local area and enjoys summer and winter activities in the mountains around Lac de Joux.

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