A guidebook to walking the Jura Crest Trail (also known as Crêtes du Jura or Jura High Route) between Dielsdorf near Zurich and Nyon on Lake Geneva. Covering 310km (193 miles), this long-distance trek traversing the sub-alpine mountains of the Swiss Jura takes around 2 weeks to walk and is suitable for any reasonably fit walker.

The route is described east to west in 14 stages, each between 12 and 32km (7–20 miles) in length. 12-, 16- and 21-day alternate itineraries are also outlined to allow you to plan the schedule that suits you.

• 1:100,000 maps included for each stage
• Detailed information about accommodation, refreshments and public transport along the route
• Advice on planning and preparation
• Highlights include Creux du Van and the medieval towns of Baden and Brugg

CONTENTS

Route summary table

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

The Jura Crest Trail

Geology of the Jura mountains

World War II and the Jura mountains

Flowers of the Jura mountains

When to go

Suggested itineraries

Getting there and around

Accommodation

Food and drink

Language

Money

What to take

Maps

Waymarking and trails

Safety in the mountains

Using this guide

The Jura Crest Trail (East to West)

Stage 1 Dielsdorf to Neustalden

Stage 2 Neustalden to Hauenstein

Stage 3 Hauenstein to Balsthal

Stage 4 Balsthal to Weissenstein

Stage 5 Weissenstein to Frinvillier

Stage 6 Frinvillier to Chasseral

Stage 7 Chasseral to Vue des Alpes

Stage 8 Vue des Alpes to Noiraigue

Stage 9 Noiraigue to Sainte-Croix

Stage 10 Sainte-Croix to Vallorbe

Stage 11 Vallorbe to Col du Mollendruz

Stage 12 Col du Mollendruz to Col du Marchairuz

Stage 13 Col du Marchairuz to Saint-Cergue

Stage 14 Saint-Cergue to Nyon

Appendix A Accommodation

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Glossary

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

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.

Learn more