Hiking
Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 5, St-Imier–Chézard-St-Martin
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Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 5, St-Imier–Chézard-St-Martin
From the watch town to the granary of the Neuchatel region. Here the trail leads through a gorge, typical of the limestone Jura chain. Descent through a shady forest into the Val de Ruz. The valley is dominated by the Chasseral with its large antenna.
St. Imier is located in the Bernese Jura, nestled between Mont Soleil and the Chasseral. The townscape is predominantly urban and industrial. After three fires and its development by the watch industry, only a few old buildings remain, including the former collegiate church from the 11th century and the tower of St. Martin. The first hour to Sonvilier is walked mostly on a paved road which changes to a gravel road shortly before Renan. After La Liodironde, back on a paved road, you can again enjoy the panoramic view of the alps on a clear day.
In the meantime, the mountains of Cernier and Chézard emerge. Because of the altitude, agricultural farming is not as intensive here as in the midlands, which is why a so-called bocage landscape has been maintained. This ancient cultural landscape is mainly known from Normandy and gives an impression of remoteness in the otherwise densely populated country of Switzerland. It consists of numerous pastures which are bordered by hedges and rows of trees and accessed by a dense network of paths. A map from around 1840 shows that the landscape at that time has hardly changed since then. The paths laid out here often represent plot boundaries and are lined with dry stone walls and shrubbery.
You descend through a stretch of forest to end the rather short hike a little later in Chézard St. Martin. The village lies at the foot of the Mont d'Amin, embedded in the charming landscape of the Val-de-Ruz.
In the meantime, the mountains of Cernier and Chézard emerge. Because of the altitude, agricultural farming is not as intensive here as in the midlands, which is why a so-called bocage landscape has been maintained. This ancient cultural landscape is mainly known from Normandy and gives an impression of remoteness in the otherwise densely populated country of Switzerland. It consists of numerous pastures which are bordered by hedges and rows of trees and accessed by a dense network of paths. A map from around 1840 shows that the landscape at that time has hardly changed since then. The paths laid out here often represent plot boundaries and are lined with dry stone walls and shrubbery.
You descend through a stretch of forest to end the rather short hike a little later in Chézard St. Martin. The village lies at the foot of the Mont d'Amin, embedded in the charming landscape of the Val-de-Ruz.
From the watch town to the granary of the Neuchatel region. Here the trail leads through a gorge, typical of the limestone Jura chain. Descent through a shady forest into the Val de Ruz. The valley is dominated by the Chasseral with its large antenna.
St. Imier is located in the Bernese Jura, nestled between Mont Soleil and the Chasseral. The townscape is predominantly urban and industrial. After three fires and its development by the watch industry, only a few old buildings remain, including the former collegiate church from the 11th century and the tower of St. Martin. The first hour to Sonvilier is walked mostly on a paved road which changes to a gravel road shortly before Renan. After La Liodironde, back on a paved road, you can again enjoy the panoramic view of the alps on a clear day.
In the meantime, the mountains of Cernier and Chézard emerge. Because of the altitude, agricultural farming is not as intensive here as in the midlands, which is why a so-called bocage landscape has been maintained. This ancient cultural landscape is mainly known from Normandy and gives an impression of remoteness in the otherwise densely populated country of Switzerland. It consists of numerous pastures which are bordered by hedges and rows of trees and accessed by a dense network of paths. A map from around 1840 shows that the landscape at that time has hardly changed since then. The paths laid out here often represent plot boundaries and are lined with dry stone walls and shrubbery.
You descend through a stretch of forest to end the rather short hike a little later in Chézard St. Martin. The village lies at the foot of the Mont d'Amin, embedded in the charming landscape of the Val-de-Ruz.
In the meantime, the mountains of Cernier and Chézard emerge. Because of the altitude, agricultural farming is not as intensive here as in the midlands, which is why a so-called bocage landscape has been maintained. This ancient cultural landscape is mainly known from Normandy and gives an impression of remoteness in the otherwise densely populated country of Switzerland. It consists of numerous pastures which are bordered by hedges and rows of trees and accessed by a dense network of paths. A map from around 1840 shows that the landscape at that time has hardly changed since then. The paths laid out here often represent plot boundaries and are lined with dry stone walls and shrubbery.
You descend through a stretch of forest to end the rather short hike a little later in Chézard St. Martin. The village lies at the foot of the Mont d'Amin, embedded in the charming landscape of the Val-de-Ruz.
Length
15 km
Ascent | Descent
580 m | 560 m
Hiking time
4 h 20 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
medium
Arrival | return travel
Hints
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Gestione della segnaletica
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the communities.
Schweizer Wanderwege
Monbijoustrasse 61
3000 Bern 23
