Hiking

Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 4, Saignelégier–St-Imier

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Trans Swiss Trail
Stage 4, Saignelégier–St-Imier
Across lush meadows, between mighty fir trees to «Energy Mountain» and the wind farm with its rotating propellers, visible from afar, and solar panels: Switzerland’s largest plant for renewable energy! Then a steep descent to St-Imier.
Saignelégier is situated at 978 m a. s. l. on a broad ridge of the Jura plateau. The deeply cut valley of the river Doubs is only a short distance away. From 1793 to 1815, the town belonged to France. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna assigned it to the canton of Bern, and in 1979, Saignelégier became part of the newly founded canton of Jura. Starting at the train station, you walk to Roselet, mostly on a paved road along the pastures. In Roselet, there is a retirement home for horses, ponies and donkeys. The Foundation for the Horse was established in 1958 by the Bernese author Hans Schwarz (1895-1965).
Continuing on a gravel road and passing Les Breuleux, the wind turbines on Mont Soleil can already be made out. By now, you have been on the road for about two hours. The open landscape gives way to the typical Jura forest sections, and you soon reach Mont Soleil on a small path. In addition to wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, there is also an observatory on the mountain. With its planetarium measuring 4.5 metres in diameter, it is a popular destination for excursions. Here you can discover the secrets of the universe.
Now follows the descent of just over 500 metres in altitude to St. Imier, the destination of the stage. The town's economic boom was the result of the watchmaking industry in the 19th century. Large factories and a watchmaking school were built at that time. However, the watch crisis of the 1970s made it necessary to reorient the town. Today, energy technology and micromechanics also play important roles. The Musée Longines in St. Imier illustrates the history of watchmaking from 1832 to the present day with watches, chronographs, navigation instruments and tools.
Continuing on a gravel road and passing Les Breuleux, the wind turbines on Mont Soleil can already be made out. By now, you have been on the road for about two hours. The open landscape gives way to the typical Jura forest sections, and you soon reach Mont Soleil on a small path. In addition to wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, there is also an observatory on the mountain. With its planetarium measuring 4.5 metres in diameter, it is a popular destination for excursions. Here you can discover the secrets of the universe.
Now follows the descent of just over 500 metres in altitude to St. Imier, the destination of the stage. The town's economic boom was the result of the watchmaking industry in the 19th century. Large factories and a watchmaking school were built at that time. However, the watch crisis of the 1970s made it necessary to reorient the town. Today, energy technology and micromechanics also play important roles. The Musée Longines in St. Imier illustrates the history of watchmaking from 1832 to the present day with watches, chronographs, navigation instruments and tools.
Across lush meadows, between mighty fir trees to «Energy Mountain» and the wind farm with its rotating propellers, visible from afar, and solar panels: Switzerland’s largest plant for renewable energy! Then a steep descent to St-Imier.
Saignelégier is situated at 978 m a. s. l. on a broad ridge of the Jura plateau. The deeply cut valley of the river Doubs is only a short distance away. From 1793 to 1815, the town belonged to France. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna assigned it to the canton of Bern, and in 1979, Saignelégier became part of the newly founded canton of Jura. Starting at the train station, you walk to Roselet, mostly on a paved road along the pastures. In Roselet, there is a retirement home for horses, ponies and donkeys. The Foundation for the Horse was established in 1958 by the Bernese author Hans Schwarz (1895-1965).
Continuing on a gravel road and passing Les Breuleux, the wind turbines on Mont Soleil can already be made out. By now, you have been on the road for about two hours. The open landscape gives way to the typical Jura forest sections, and you soon reach Mont Soleil on a small path. In addition to wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, there is also an observatory on the mountain. With its planetarium measuring 4.5 metres in diameter, it is a popular destination for excursions. Here you can discover the secrets of the universe.
Now follows the descent of just over 500 metres in altitude to St. Imier, the destination of the stage. The town's economic boom was the result of the watchmaking industry in the 19th century. Large factories and a watchmaking school were built at that time. However, the watch crisis of the 1970s made it necessary to reorient the town. Today, energy technology and micromechanics also play important roles. The Musée Longines in St. Imier illustrates the history of watchmaking from 1832 to the present day with watches, chronographs, navigation instruments and tools.
Continuing on a gravel road and passing Les Breuleux, the wind turbines on Mont Soleil can already be made out. By now, you have been on the road for about two hours. The open landscape gives way to the typical Jura forest sections, and you soon reach Mont Soleil on a small path. In addition to wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, there is also an observatory on the mountain. With its planetarium measuring 4.5 metres in diameter, it is a popular destination for excursions. Here you can discover the secrets of the universe.
Now follows the descent of just over 500 metres in altitude to St. Imier, the destination of the stage. The town's economic boom was the result of the watchmaking industry in the 19th century. Large factories and a watchmaking school were built at that time. However, the watch crisis of the 1970s made it necessary to reorient the town. Today, energy technology and micromechanics also play important roles. The Musée Longines in St. Imier illustrates the history of watchmaking from 1832 to the present day with watches, chronographs, navigation instruments and tools.
Length
20 km
Ascent | Descent
500 m | 680 m
Hiking time
5 h 15 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
difficult
Arrival | return travel
More …
Saving metres in altitude
There is a funicular railway between Mont-Soleil (funiculaire) and St-Imier (funiculaire) that saves about 350 metres in altitude.
Hints
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the canton.
Jura Rando
2800 Delémont
info@jurarando.ch
www.jurarando.ch