Walk the Jura Crest Trail (Crêtes du Jura), one of Switzerland’s classic long-distance routes, traversing approximately 310 km (193 miles) of the sub-alpine Jura mountains from Dielsdorf near Zurich to Nyon on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). 

Typically completed in around two weeks, this scenic trek links rolling limestone plateaux, forested ridges and panoramic mountain passes from east to west.

If you're seeking a fresh long-distance challenge, this trusted Cicerone guidebook gives you everything you need to walk the Jura Crest Trail with confidence. Presented in clear stage descriptions and packed with practical advice, it helps you prepare thoroughly and enjoy every step of the journey through Switzerland’s varied landscapes.

• Detailed route descriptions are included for all 14 stages of the Jura Crest Trail from Dielsdorf near Zurich to Nyon on Lake Geneva, helping you plan each day’s walk with confidence
• 1:100,000 maps provided for every stage, so you can navigate the sub-alpine ridges, limestone plateaux and rolling terrain with clarity 
• Clear planning advice, accommodation listings and transport details along the route, making logistics between towns like Baden, Brugg and Frick easier
• Alternate itineraries (12-, 16- and 21-day options) let you customise your Jura High Route experience to suit fitness and schedule
• Highlights such as Creux du Van amphitheatre, medieval towns and panoramic Jura mountain views are woven into the practical information, inspiring you to explore the trail’s natural and cultural gems

Everything you need to organise, navigate and complete the Jura Crest Trail is brought together in one reliable, expertly structured guide. All that’s left is to shoulder your pack and trace the Jura’s sweeping limestone ridges of this Swiss long-distance trail towards Lake Geneva.

Jura Crest Trail – Quick Facts

Trail name: Jura Crest Trail (Crêtes du Jura) 
Location: Swiss Jura, Switzerland 
Total distance: 310 km / 193 miles 
Typical duration: 12–21 days (depending on itinerary) 
Start: Dielsdorf (near Zurich) 
Finish: Nyon (Lake Geneva / Lac Léman) 
Trail type: Waymarked long-distance route 
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging 
Terrain: Limestone plateaux, forested ridges, panoramic mountain passes 
Navigation: Mostly clearly waymarked; route description and 1:100,000 maps included
Best season: May to October 
Accommodation: Hotels, mountain inns, and camping (often off-route)

Author Highlight

“The Jura Crest Trail, one of seven Swiss national long-distance walking trails, delivers wondrous panoramas as you ascend, traverse and descend summits and mountain passes along the 310km trail. The day-to-day journey can be a challenge, with up to 1700m height gain in one day, but when you take in the immense views of the Jura range, the peaks and ridges of the Alps on the horizon, and across the Rhône valley, the sense of achievement more than compensates.”

- Ali Rowsell, author of Switzerland's Jura Crest Trail 

Mountain safety
Route summary table
Map key
Overview map

Introduction
The Jura High Route
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 High Route (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

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