Cycling in Switzerland
Jura Route
Stage 5, Fleurier–Vallorbe
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Jura Route
Stage 5, Fleurier–Vallorbe
Bewitched by the Jura: Ste-Croix and L'Auberson, a nostalgic, enchanted world of nickelodeons, music boxes and talented puppeteers. Then a short guest performance on the flat before the TGV sways over the tracks in Vallorbe.
Follow the stream known as "Le Buttes" for a short distance, continue through the place of the same name, and then it's off into mountains: we're headed for the Mont-de-Buttes! Somehow, it seems that tractors used to be slower and more friendly – and not only on the high plains. Now they hurtle past you, one after another. After La Côte-aux-Fées – a lovely name that means "Fairies' Hill" – you really need sharp eyes to avoid getting bogged down by mistake in the moorland of La Vraconnaz. When the mists rise on the high moor and dark trees blot out the light, you don't need so much a drop of absinthe to get you into a downright eerie mood.
"La Mouille de La Vraconnaz", at over 1,100 meters above sea level, is the first ever Pro Natura conservation area. Set up in 1911, the area nestles in a humid depression in the borderlands of Vaud, Neuchâtel and the French département of Doubs. The museums of L'Auberson and Ste-Croix present an entirely different world. Pianos, orchestrions, music boxes, music automatons and mannequins should set the hearts of children "of all ages" beating a little faster. The Col de l'Aiguillon will also cause your heart to beat a little faster – quite literally. As you pedal through magnificent Jura meadows enclosed by steep limestone walls, you will puff and pant your way through the forest on the climb up to the "Aiguilles de Baulmes" ridges.
As you ride downhill to Baulmes, be sure to stop and admire the superb rock formations and the Alpine chain in the distance. If a cattle show is taking place at the top of the pass, your descent might take a little longer anyway. After Ballaigues, the former linear village built along the road, you will again be confronted with a view of an impressive rock wall. The viaduct of Le Day, with a height of 130 meters, is an equally impressive sight. From the Middle Ages onwards, the region around Vallorbe developed into a major centre of the iron industry. The Iron and Railway Museum in Vallorbe, where you can see exhibits such as a blacksmith at work, is located directly on the bank of the dammed river Orbe. The bridge over the river is a wonderfully picturesque setting for a photoshoot, and the nearest café is right next to it.
"La Mouille de La Vraconnaz", at over 1,100 meters above sea level, is the first ever Pro Natura conservation area. Set up in 1911, the area nestles in a humid depression in the borderlands of Vaud, Neuchâtel and the French département of Doubs. The museums of L'Auberson and Ste-Croix present an entirely different world. Pianos, orchestrions, music boxes, music automatons and mannequins should set the hearts of children "of all ages" beating a little faster. The Col de l'Aiguillon will also cause your heart to beat a little faster – quite literally. As you pedal through magnificent Jura meadows enclosed by steep limestone walls, you will puff and pant your way through the forest on the climb up to the "Aiguilles de Baulmes" ridges.
As you ride downhill to Baulmes, be sure to stop and admire the superb rock formations and the Alpine chain in the distance. If a cattle show is taking place at the top of the pass, your descent might take a little longer anyway. After Ballaigues, the former linear village built along the road, you will again be confronted with a view of an impressive rock wall. The viaduct of Le Day, with a height of 130 meters, is an equally impressive sight. From the Middle Ages onwards, the region around Vallorbe developed into a major centre of the iron industry. The Iron and Railway Museum in Vallorbe, where you can see exhibits such as a blacksmith at work, is located directly on the bank of the dammed river Orbe. The bridge over the river is a wonderfully picturesque setting for a photoshoot, and the nearest café is right next to it.
Bewitched by the Jura: Ste-Croix and L'Auberson, a nostalgic, enchanted world of nickelodeons, music boxes and talented puppeteers. Then a short guest performance on the flat before the TGV sways over the tracks in Vallorbe.
Follow the stream known as "Le Buttes" for a short distance, continue through the place of the same name, and then it's off into mountains: we're headed for the Mont-de-Buttes! Somehow, it seems that tractors used to be slower and more friendly – and not only on the high plains. Now they hurtle past you, one after another. After La Côte-aux-Fées – a lovely name that means "Fairies' Hill" – you really need sharp eyes to avoid getting bogged down by mistake in the moorland of La Vraconnaz. When the mists rise on the high moor and dark trees blot out the light, you don't need so much a drop of absinthe to get you into a downright eerie mood.
"La Mouille de La Vraconnaz", at over 1,100 meters above sea level, is the first ever Pro Natura conservation area. Set up in 1911, the area nestles in a humid depression in the borderlands of Vaud, Neuchâtel and the French département of Doubs. The museums of L'Auberson and Ste-Croix present an entirely different world. Pianos, orchestrions, music boxes, music automatons and mannequins should set the hearts of children "of all ages" beating a little faster. The Col de l'Aiguillon will also cause your heart to beat a little faster – quite literally. As you pedal through magnificent Jura meadows enclosed by steep limestone walls, you will puff and pant your way through the forest on the climb up to the "Aiguilles de Baulmes" ridges.
As you ride downhill to Baulmes, be sure to stop and admire the superb rock formations and the Alpine chain in the distance. If a cattle show is taking place at the top of the pass, your descent might take a little longer anyway. After Ballaigues, the former linear village built along the road, you will again be confronted with a view of an impressive rock wall. The viaduct of Le Day, with a height of 130 meters, is an equally impressive sight. From the Middle Ages onwards, the region around Vallorbe developed into a major centre of the iron industry. The Iron and Railway Museum in Vallorbe, where you can see exhibits such as a blacksmith at work, is located directly on the bank of the dammed river Orbe. The bridge over the river is a wonderfully picturesque setting for a photoshoot, and the nearest café is right next to it.
"La Mouille de La Vraconnaz", at over 1,100 meters above sea level, is the first ever Pro Natura conservation area. Set up in 1911, the area nestles in a humid depression in the borderlands of Vaud, Neuchâtel and the French département of Doubs. The museums of L'Auberson and Ste-Croix present an entirely different world. Pianos, orchestrions, music boxes, music automatons and mannequins should set the hearts of children "of all ages" beating a little faster. The Col de l'Aiguillon will also cause your heart to beat a little faster – quite literally. As you pedal through magnificent Jura meadows enclosed by steep limestone walls, you will puff and pant your way through the forest on the climb up to the "Aiguilles de Baulmes" ridges.
As you ride downhill to Baulmes, be sure to stop and admire the superb rock formations and the Alpine chain in the distance. If a cattle show is taking place at the top of the pass, your descent might take a little longer anyway. After Ballaigues, the former linear village built along the road, you will again be confronted with a view of an impressive rock wall. The viaduct of Le Day, with a height of 130 meters, is an equally impressive sight. From the Middle Ages onwards, the region around Vallorbe developed into a major centre of the iron industry. The Iron and Railway Museum in Vallorbe, where you can see exhibits such as a blacksmith at work, is located directly on the bank of the dammed river Orbe. The bridge over the river is a wonderfully picturesque setting for a photoshoot, and the nearest café is right next to it.
Length
48 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 45 km
Natural surface: 3 km
Natural surface: 3 km
Ascent | Descent
1100 m | 1050 m
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Saving metres in altitude
There is a train between Ste-Croix and Baulmes that saves about 200 metres in altitude.
