Snowshoe trekking

Parcours Col des Etroits–La Vraconnaz
Col des Etroits–L’Auberson–La Vraconnaz–Col des Etroits

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Parcours Col des Etroits–La Vraconnaz
Col des Etroits–L’Auberson–La Vraconnaz–Col des Etroits
Ideal for hikers who want to get close to nature, this route takes you through meadows and forests via L’Auberson, a typical Jura village, and the plateau of Les Granges offering unique views of the Jura mountains.
The marked trail starts from the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix and heads towards L’Auberson. This village stretches along the road for over two kilometres and here you can see the traditional old ‘watch farms’ typical of the area. The first part of the route, about 2.5 km, takes you through a small forest and then a meadow.
Once you’ve arrived in the village of L’Auberson, the route continues on to the Plateau des Granges, a vast meadowland offering stunning views of Le Chasseron (1607m), Les Petites-Roches (1583m) and Le Cochet (1483m). It then heads towards the forest and past the nature reserve of La Mouille de la Vraconnaz, an area protected by Pro Natura since 1911 where peat was extracted until the 60s. This second part of the route (4km) takes you to the hamlet of La Vraconnaz.
From La Vraconnaz, you follow an undulating route for approximately 2.5km, alternating between forest and meadow, back to the starting point at the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix.
Once you’ve arrived in the village of L’Auberson, the route continues on to the Plateau des Granges, a vast meadowland offering stunning views of Le Chasseron (1607m), Les Petites-Roches (1583m) and Le Cochet (1483m). It then heads towards the forest and past the nature reserve of La Mouille de la Vraconnaz, an area protected by Pro Natura since 1911 where peat was extracted until the 60s. This second part of the route (4km) takes you to the hamlet of La Vraconnaz.
From La Vraconnaz, you follow an undulating route for approximately 2.5km, alternating between forest and meadow, back to the starting point at the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix.
Ideal for hikers who want to get close to nature, this route takes you through meadows and forests via L’Auberson, a typical Jura village, and the plateau of Les Granges offering unique views of the Jura mountains.
The marked trail starts from the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix and heads towards L’Auberson. This village stretches along the road for over two kilometres and here you can see the traditional old ‘watch farms’ typical of the area. The first part of the route, about 2.5 km, takes you through a small forest and then a meadow.
Once you’ve arrived in the village of L’Auberson, the route continues on to the Plateau des Granges, a vast meadowland offering stunning views of Le Chasseron (1607m), Les Petites-Roches (1583m) and Le Cochet (1483m). It then heads towards the forest and past the nature reserve of La Mouille de la Vraconnaz, an area protected by Pro Natura since 1911 where peat was extracted until the 60s. This second part of the route (4km) takes you to the hamlet of La Vraconnaz.
From La Vraconnaz, you follow an undulating route for approximately 2.5km, alternating between forest and meadow, back to the starting point at the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix.
Once you’ve arrived in the village of L’Auberson, the route continues on to the Plateau des Granges, a vast meadowland offering stunning views of Le Chasseron (1607m), Les Petites-Roches (1583m) and Le Cochet (1483m). It then heads towards the forest and past the nature reserve of La Mouille de la Vraconnaz, an area protected by Pro Natura since 1911 where peat was extracted until the 60s. This second part of the route (4km) takes you to the hamlet of La Vraconnaz.
From La Vraconnaz, you follow an undulating route for approximately 2.5km, alternating between forest and meadow, back to the starting point at the Col des Etroits in Sainte-Croix.
Length | Number of stages
9 km
| 1 Stage
Ascent | Descent
300 m | 300 m
Hiking time
3 h 35 min
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
Season
Winter season
The winter season is usually from 15th of December to 15th of March.
Signalization
Routing
Due to snow conditions, the locally signposted route may differ from that shown on the SwitzerlandMobility web map. If in doubt, follow the local signs.
Direction of the signposting
This route is only signposted in one direction: Col des Etroits–L’Auberson–La Vraconnaz–Col des Etroits.
Hints
Contact
Office du Tourisme de Sainte-Croix / Les Rasses
Rue Neuve 10
1450 Sainte-Croix
Tel. +41 (0)24 455 41 42
ot@sainte-croix.ch
www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch
Rue Neuve 10
1450 Sainte-Croix
Tel. +41 (0)24 455 41 42
ot@sainte-croix.ch
www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch