Rocks, distant views and fondue - 16 stages on the Jura Crest Trail
Hiking Collection by Vanessa
16
days
3-8 h
/ day
317 km
10,780 m
10,860 m
Do you want to experience Switzerland differently? Most hikers mainly explore the famous mountain world of the Alps - but Switzerland has much more to offer for active holidaymakers. For example, between Zurich and Geneva: On the 320 kilometre long Jura High Route, you will get to know the Swiss Jura from its most beautiful side. You climb scenic peaks, roam through picturesque forests and over lush meadows and enjoy yourself in cosy inns. The long-distance hiking trail, also known as National Route 5, is not without reason one of the most scenic paths in Switzerland. Experience the impressive landscape of this breathtaking mountain range near the French border and lace up your hiking boots for a very special hiking adventure through Switzerland.
The Jura High Route runs in a wide arc from Dielsdorf near Zurich to Nyon on Lake Geneva. Geologically speaking, the Jura is a young mountain range that extends from France in a wide arc over western Switzerland. On your hike over the rocky peaks and high plateaus, you will have spectacular views of the Alps, the Black Forest and the Vosges. In addition, you will encounter deep caves, bubbling springs, romantic lakes and quiet forests along the way. Every now and then, a chamois also hops through this postcard idyll. I have divided the long-distance hiking trail into 16 stages so that you always have the possibility to stay overnight at the end of a hiking day. Most of the time, the accommodations are located directly on the way, but sometimes you also have to leave the heights for the night. Since you often only have one option for overnight stays on the passes, I recommend that you reserve your accommodations in advance. Along the route, you will also find numerous cosy inns that offer you traditional dishes for refreshment. Don't miss out on treating yourself to a typical Swiss fondue at the end of an eventful day.
In the villages that serve as stage destinations along the hike, you will always find a connection to the train service. So you can also easily choose a section of the Jura High Route if you don't have 16 days in a row. You can also reach the starting and ending point of the entire route quite comfortably by train. You can find all the information about the suitable connections here: sbb.ch.
Although you are not in alpine heights on the long-distance hiking trail, you should still be well equipped. Pack a rain jacket, sun protection, enough water and some provisions in your backpack, so you are always well prepared for meteorological surprises.
The Swiss Jura is a unique strip of earth that is particularly beautiful to explore on foot. Let yourself be enchanted by this special landscape and take a look at the Alps from a distance. This does not make the mighty rock giants any less impressive - and you will get to know a completely new side of Switzerland.
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Last updated: November 25, 2024
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Activities
07:39
25.4km
3.3km/h
690m
770m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The first stage of the 320-kilometer-long Jura High Trail starts your hiking adventure like a dream: On the 25-kilometer route, picturesque villages, impressive views and a few meters of altitude await you. The long-distance hiking trail starts at the train station in Dielsdorf. So you can arrive relaxed…
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Vanessa
04:54
16.8km
3.4km/h
540m
270m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Your second stage on the Jura-Höhenweg begins with a round through the old town of Brugg. The almost 17-kilometer tour is pretty much uphill, but a few beautiful viewpoints await you on the way. Look forward to pure nature in the Aargau Jurapark.
You leave Brugg and start your ascent to the Linnerberg…
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06:02
19.8km
3.3km/h
650m
610m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Stage 3 of the Jura-Höhenweg awaits you with a varied up and down. After all, there are five passes on the program today: The Staffelegg is followed by the Bänkerjoch, the Salhöhe, the Schafmatt and the Untere Hauenstein.
After you took the Postbus back up to Staffelegg from Küttigen, today you often…
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06:36
20.9km
3.2km/h
690m
870m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.On the fourth stage of the Jura-Höhenweg you hike for almost 21 kilometers from Hauenstein to Balsthal. The varied route leads you through the typical beech forests of the Jura and to scenic rest areas. There is also a historical excursion and a traditional stop. Et voilà - an eventful day of hiking…
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07:06
20.9km
2.9km/h
1,140m
370m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.The fifth stage on the Jura-Höhenweg has it all with its 1,140 meters of altitude. As a reward, after the crisp ascent to the Höllchöpfli, you can expect a promising high-altitude hike through forests and pastures. The starting point of the almost 21-kilometer route is in Balsthal.
The climb goes straight…
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07:47
24.2km
3.1km/h
620m
1,350m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.On the sixth stage of the Jura-Höhenweg you can look forward to great views over the Jura arch, into the Swiss Plateau and the Alps. You hike on the 24-kilometer tour through idyllic forests and over typical Jura meadows. It starts on the Weissenstein. If you've spent the night in Solothurn, the cable…
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06:22
18.3km
2.9km/h
1,150m
130m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.The seventh stage of the Jura High Trail is almost steadily uphill, after all, 1,150 meters of altitude need to be cracked on the 18-kilometer hike. However, you master the steepest ascent right at the beginning, so that you can look forward to pure hiking pleasure after this ascent. It starts in Frinvillier…
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05:57
19.2km
3.2km/h
620m
870m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.The eighth stage on the Jura-Höhenweg starts impressively: After getting up, you can enjoy the panorama of the Alpine chain from the Chasseral in the morning sun before you start the almost 20-kilometer tour.
At the beginning you hike downhill, walk over some Jura pastures and then dive into the forests…
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06:47
22.0km
3.2km/h
420m
970m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.The ninth stage on the Jura High Trail takes you on the mountain range over the Tête de Ran and Mont Racine - so it remains promising. The 22-kilometer tour starts at the Vue des Alpes.
The view of the Alpine chain and the Swiss Plateau accompanies you all day today. Enjoy the magnificent view over Switzerland…
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04:20
13.0km
3.0km/h
750m
320m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.The tenth stage on the Jura-Höhenweg is a hiking cream piece! Today we go to the Grand Canyon of Switzerland, to the Creux du Van. The rock faces drop down steeply up to 160 meters and create a very special landscape. The stone wall is four kilometers long, from which you have a magnificent view. Fittingly…
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05:41
18.0km
3.2km/h
610m
680m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.On stage 11 of the Jura High Trail you climb the third highest peak in the Jura, the Chasseron. From the 1,607 meter high mountain you have a great view of Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Geneva and the seemingly endless chain of peaks in the Alps. The 18-kilometer hike starts in Les Rochats.
The first half of…
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07:13
23.1km
3.2km/h
600m
940m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.The twelfth stage on the Jura High Trail takes you from Sainte-Croix to Vallorbe. You cover the first half of the 23-kilometer tour at the height with a view of the surrounding peaks, then you climb down into the flatlands. At the Col de l’Aiguillon, by the way, you are only a stone's throw from France…
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03:51
11.1km
2.9km/h
700m
480m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.The 13th stage of the Jura-Höhenweg combines everything that is so typical of the Jura Mountains: rocky mountains with views, idyllic forest paths and picturesque lakes. With a good eleven kilometers, today's tour from Vallorbe to Le Pont is one of the shorter stages - a welcome change on the long-distance…
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06:25
20.8km
3.2km/h
780m
340m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Stage 14 of the Jura High Trail is high: Today you climb Mont Tendre, the highest point in the Swiss Jura. A spectacular all-round view awaits you on the 1,679 meter high summit. The 20-kilometer hike begins in Le Pont on the banks of Lac de Joux.
To be able to enjoy the panorama from Mont Tendre, you…
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04:41
16.6km
3.5km/h
210m
610m
IntermediateIntermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Stage 15 on the Jura-Höhenweg leads you on relaxed paths without major climbs through an almost park-like landscape with scattered alpine huts and a kilometer-long network of dry stone walls. With a good 16 kilometers you can start your hiking day comfortably today. It starts on the Col du Marchairuz…
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08:21
26.5km
3.2km/h
620m
1,300m
ExpertExpert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.The last stage on the Jura High Trail is once again really promising. From the summit of La Dôle, the destination of the 320-kilometer long-distance hiking trail is already in sight. Reason enough to take in the view from the 1,677 meter high mountain once more. The starting point of the 26-kilometer…
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Collection Stats
- Activities16
- Distance317 km
- Duration99:41 h
- Elevation10,780 m10,860 m
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