Le Locle is known as the cradle of Swiss watchmaking, the industry that shaped its cityscape – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. It's a fast ride from the rail station into the surrounding countryside. Pedal past La Ferme Modèle inn and turn off into a country lane soon afterwards. You've already reached the tour's highest point. At the next crossroads, it's worth leaving the bike route briefly: walk 50 meters down to L'Escarpineau viewing pulpit, with panoramic vistas of the Doubs gorge. Then comes the only technically challenging section of the route: the forest track to Roches-de-Moron rock spur (height: 1,076 meters). You have another view of the Doubs, the natural Franco-Swiss frontier. It flows through Swiss territory for 85 of its 430 kilometers. For natural beauty and seclusion, the Doubs is almost unrivalled among Switzerland's rivers. This is precisely why the area is known as a paradise for nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, walkers – and mountain bikers.

As you descend towards Saut-du-Doubs, you could take a detour to Le Châtelot dam that encloses Moron Lake. Mountain bikers pedal across the wooded Côtes de Moron slopes to reach the spectacular waterfall. 27 meters high, Saut-du-Doubs is one of the main natural attractions of Franche-Comté in France and the Swiss Neuchâtel mountains. Located at the lower end of Les Brenets Lake, it is the result of a rockslide about 14,000 years ago.

You'll need some stamina for the long climb on an asphalted road from the lowest point of the tour back to Le Locle. Fortunately, there's plenty to see: the route follows the twists and turns of the natural Doubs reservoir, barely 200 meters wide. Limestone rocks plunge into Les Brenets Lake, sometimes vertically: you feel that you're in a ravine. The lake is named for Les Brenets commune, which comprises the western part of the Pouillerel ridge in the High Jura. This area experienced a boom in the 18th century thanks to the watchmaking industry, which still plays a key part in the economy. Pedal through the village centre and then across meadows until the route descends again to Le Locle.