Hiking

ViaBerna
Stage 2, Tramelan–Mont Crosin–Mont Soleil–St-Imier

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ViaBerna
Stage 2, Tramelan–Mont Crosin–Mont Soleil–St-Imier
The next stage runs from the watchmaking town of Tramelan up to the Montagne de Droit. You hike through the largest wind farm in Switzerland and then past a solar power plant to Mont Soleil. Finally, the stony path in the forest leads down steeply across the Jura fold to the little town of St. Imier.
Between the sports field and the unmistakable building of the CIP (Centre interrégional de perfectionnement), the path dips into the woods of the Montagne du Droit. Soon you leave the forest and enter the pastures dotted with numerous sinkholes. Most of the rainwater on the Jura heights seeps through these rocky funnels. The farms therefore often collect it from the roofs. The farm of La Bise de Cortébert offers the first opportunity to stop for a break. Now the imposing wind turbines are already visible above the hill. When the wind sweeps over the Jura mountains, which is often the case, the wind turbines run at full speed. You continue on a small road in the direction of the Chalet-Neuf Friends of Nature house. On a narrow path along some pastures, you come across a wild, wooded ridge. At the top of the pass, you cross the road over the Col du Mont Crosin.
From here, a theme trail, the Sentier des Monts, connects the wind farm on Mont-Crosin with Switzerland's oldest solar power plant on Mont-Soleil. Information boards provide facts and games on topics such as renewable energy, the environment and the climate. A total of 16 wind turbines rise up to 140 metres into the sky. After all, the wind energy produced can supply 16,000 households with electricity. The route leads alternately along gravel roads and pasture trails towards Mont Soleil, at 1,290 metres the highest point of the hike.
Those who want to avoid the steep descent can take the funicular that connects St-Imier with Mont-Soleil. On foot, you leave the much-visited mountain in the wild Jura forest and follow the edge of the slope in a south-westerly direction. From the Belvédère vantage point, there is an impressive view down to the stage destination of St-Imier. At La Brigade, the steep and initially rough descent continues along a stony path and 350 metres in altitude difference down to the small Jura town.
From here, a theme trail, the Sentier des Monts, connects the wind farm on Mont-Crosin with Switzerland's oldest solar power plant on Mont-Soleil. Information boards provide facts and games on topics such as renewable energy, the environment and the climate. A total of 16 wind turbines rise up to 140 metres into the sky. After all, the wind energy produced can supply 16,000 households with electricity. The route leads alternately along gravel roads and pasture trails towards Mont Soleil, at 1,290 metres the highest point of the hike.
Those who want to avoid the steep descent can take the funicular that connects St-Imier with Mont-Soleil. On foot, you leave the much-visited mountain in the wild Jura forest and follow the edge of the slope in a south-westerly direction. From the Belvédère vantage point, there is an impressive view down to the stage destination of St-Imier. At La Brigade, the steep and initially rough descent continues along a stony path and 350 metres in altitude difference down to the small Jura town.
The next stage runs from the watchmaking town of Tramelan up to the Montagne de Droit. You hike through the largest wind farm in Switzerland and then past a solar power plant to Mont Soleil. Finally, the stony path in the forest leads down steeply across the Jura fold to the little town of St. Imier.
Between the sports field and the unmistakable building of the CIP (Centre interrégional de perfectionnement), the path dips into the woods of the Montagne du Droit. Soon you leave the forest and enter the pastures dotted with numerous sinkholes. Most of the rainwater on the Jura heights seeps through these rocky funnels. The farms therefore often collect it from the roofs. The farm of La Bise de Cortébert offers the first opportunity to stop for a break. Now the imposing wind turbines are already visible above the hill. When the wind sweeps over the Jura mountains, which is often the case, the wind turbines run at full speed. You continue on a small road in the direction of the Chalet-Neuf Friends of Nature house. On a narrow path along some pastures, you come across a wild, wooded ridge. At the top of the pass, you cross the road over the Col du Mont Crosin.
From here, a theme trail, the Sentier des Monts, connects the wind farm on Mont-Crosin with Switzerland's oldest solar power plant on Mont-Soleil. Information boards provide facts and games on topics such as renewable energy, the environment and the climate. A total of 16 wind turbines rise up to 140 metres into the sky. After all, the wind energy produced can supply 16,000 households with electricity. The route leads alternately along gravel roads and pasture trails towards Mont Soleil, at 1,290 metres the highest point of the hike.
Those who want to avoid the steep descent can take the funicular that connects St-Imier with Mont-Soleil. On foot, you leave the much-visited mountain in the wild Jura forest and follow the edge of the slope in a south-westerly direction. From the Belvédère vantage point, there is an impressive view down to the stage destination of St-Imier. At La Brigade, the steep and initially rough descent continues along a stony path and 350 metres in altitude difference down to the small Jura town.
From here, a theme trail, the Sentier des Monts, connects the wind farm on Mont-Crosin with Switzerland's oldest solar power plant on Mont-Soleil. Information boards provide facts and games on topics such as renewable energy, the environment and the climate. A total of 16 wind turbines rise up to 140 metres into the sky. After all, the wind energy produced can supply 16,000 households with electricity. The route leads alternately along gravel roads and pasture trails towards Mont Soleil, at 1,290 metres the highest point of the hike.
Those who want to avoid the steep descent can take the funicular that connects St-Imier with Mont-Soleil. On foot, you leave the much-visited mountain in the wild Jura forest and follow the edge of the slope in a south-westerly direction. From the Belvédère vantage point, there is an impressive view down to the stage destination of St-Imier. At La Brigade, the steep and initially rough descent continues along a stony path and 350 metres in altitude difference down to the small Jura town.
Length
19 km
Ascent | Descent
620 m | 720 m
Hiking time
5 h 20 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
medium
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.
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the canton.
Berner Wanderwege
Nordring 8
1303 Bern
info@bernerwanderwege.ch
www.bernerwanderwege.ch