Cycling in Switzerland
Jura Route
Stage 3, Saignelégier–La Chaux-de-Fonds
rotate your device for slideshow
Jura Route
Stage 3, Saignelégier–La Chaux-de-Fonds
From the paradise of the Franches-Montagnes plateau with its dark moorland ponds, ride up to Switzerland's largest solar power plant. Then you will be put in pensive mood as you descend through rugged yet tranquil terrain to La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry.
You should take enough drinking water with you in the Jura. You will often see "Eau non potable" signs telling you not to drink the water from fountains, inviting though they might be. If you still haven't spotted enough horses in the magnificent countryside of the Franches-Montagnes, head for Le Roselet. In La Chaux-des-Breuleux, after visiting the must-see "Etang de la Gruère" lakelet, you're best to turn off to the right. There is a retirement home for horses, donkeys and ponies at Le Roselet. You can learn all about the different phases of these animals' lifecycles here.
Switzerland's largest solar power plant is located 1,289 meters above sea level. You'll need to pedal hard to climb up to Mont Soleil. Surrounded by lichen-clad sycamore maples, the plant whistles away into the landscape as the rotor blades turn. The wind farm here achieved international fame in the early 1990s on account of its photovoltaic installation. After tackling the downhill stretch to Montagne du Droit, turn round and look back for a view of Vallon de St.-Imier and the important watchmaking town that bears the same name as the valley. You also have an enticing view of the Jura Mountains, with the Chasseral and its fellow peaks; the Alps are in the background, so far away that they seem tiny.
Most of the farm dogs, however, are not so tiny. It is rather surprising that even the big ones race up to welcome you here in the Jura, tails wagging with joy. You pedal along zig-zag tracks with elongated drystone walls and sprawling farmyards where the precious rainwater is collected in cisterns. All of a sudden, the first high-rises of La Chaux-de-Fonds appear, striking a somewhat surreal note. At about 1,000 meters above sea level, this watchmaking city – surrounded by very thinly populated terrain – numbers among the highest larger cities in Europe. Built at an altitude that was revolutionary at the time, this city with its chessboard streetscape and abundance of Art Nouveau buildings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Switzerland's largest solar power plant is located 1,289 meters above sea level. You'll need to pedal hard to climb up to Mont Soleil. Surrounded by lichen-clad sycamore maples, the plant whistles away into the landscape as the rotor blades turn. The wind farm here achieved international fame in the early 1990s on account of its photovoltaic installation. After tackling the downhill stretch to Montagne du Droit, turn round and look back for a view of Vallon de St.-Imier and the important watchmaking town that bears the same name as the valley. You also have an enticing view of the Jura Mountains, with the Chasseral and its fellow peaks; the Alps are in the background, so far away that they seem tiny.
Most of the farm dogs, however, are not so tiny. It is rather surprising that even the big ones race up to welcome you here in the Jura, tails wagging with joy. You pedal along zig-zag tracks with elongated drystone walls and sprawling farmyards where the precious rainwater is collected in cisterns. All of a sudden, the first high-rises of La Chaux-de-Fonds appear, striking a somewhat surreal note. At about 1,000 meters above sea level, this watchmaking city – surrounded by very thinly populated terrain – numbers among the highest larger cities in Europe. Built at an altitude that was revolutionary at the time, this city with its chessboard streetscape and abundance of Art Nouveau buildings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
From the paradise of the Franches-Montagnes plateau with its dark moorland ponds, ride up to Switzerland's largest solar power plant. Then you will be put in pensive mood as you descend through rugged yet tranquil terrain to La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry.
You should take enough drinking water with you in the Jura. You will often see "Eau non potable" signs telling you not to drink the water from fountains, inviting though they might be. If you still haven't spotted enough horses in the magnificent countryside of the Franches-Montagnes, head for Le Roselet. In La Chaux-des-Breuleux, after visiting the must-see "Etang de la Gruère" lakelet, you're best to turn off to the right. There is a retirement home for horses, donkeys and ponies at Le Roselet. You can learn all about the different phases of these animals' lifecycles here.
Switzerland's largest solar power plant is located 1,289 meters above sea level. You'll need to pedal hard to climb up to Mont Soleil. Surrounded by lichen-clad sycamore maples, the plant whistles away into the landscape as the rotor blades turn. The wind farm here achieved international fame in the early 1990s on account of its photovoltaic installation. After tackling the downhill stretch to Montagne du Droit, turn round and look back for a view of Vallon de St.-Imier and the important watchmaking town that bears the same name as the valley. You also have an enticing view of the Jura Mountains, with the Chasseral and its fellow peaks; the Alps are in the background, so far away that they seem tiny.
Most of the farm dogs, however, are not so tiny. It is rather surprising that even the big ones race up to welcome you here in the Jura, tails wagging with joy. You pedal along zig-zag tracks with elongated drystone walls and sprawling farmyards where the precious rainwater is collected in cisterns. All of a sudden, the first high-rises of La Chaux-de-Fonds appear, striking a somewhat surreal note. At about 1,000 meters above sea level, this watchmaking city – surrounded by very thinly populated terrain – numbers among the highest larger cities in Europe. Built at an altitude that was revolutionary at the time, this city with its chessboard streetscape and abundance of Art Nouveau buildings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Switzerland's largest solar power plant is located 1,289 meters above sea level. You'll need to pedal hard to climb up to Mont Soleil. Surrounded by lichen-clad sycamore maples, the plant whistles away into the landscape as the rotor blades turn. The wind farm here achieved international fame in the early 1990s on account of its photovoltaic installation. After tackling the downhill stretch to Montagne du Droit, turn round and look back for a view of Vallon de St.-Imier and the important watchmaking town that bears the same name as the valley. You also have an enticing view of the Jura Mountains, with the Chasseral and its fellow peaks; the Alps are in the background, so far away that they seem tiny.
Most of the farm dogs, however, are not so tiny. It is rather surprising that even the big ones race up to welcome you here in the Jura, tails wagging with joy. You pedal along zig-zag tracks with elongated drystone walls and sprawling farmyards where the precious rainwater is collected in cisterns. All of a sudden, the first high-rises of La Chaux-de-Fonds appear, striking a somewhat surreal note. At about 1,000 meters above sea level, this watchmaking city – surrounded by very thinly populated terrain – numbers among the highest larger cities in Europe. Built at an altitude that was revolutionary at the time, this city with its chessboard streetscape and abundance of Art Nouveau buildings was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Length
36 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 36 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Natural surface: 0 km
Ascent | Descent
660 m | 620 m
Fitness level
medium
Arrival | return travel
Hints
Biking in swiss parks
The route shows almost everything the Doubs has to offer: the Freiberge hills with the pines on lush meadows, lonely farmhouses and pretty villages. And the watch-making centre La Chaux-de-Fonds with the UNESCO label. Only the river remains hidden.
More
