The hilly ridges of the Jura stretch from Basel to Lake Geneva - the mysterious landscapes off the beaten track that fascinate every traveller. Anyone who thinks of the Jura dreams of fir forests, remote plateaus, grazing horses and spectacular viewpoints.
The Jura also includes the granary of Ajoie, the Doubs valley with the jewel of St Ursanne, La Chaux-de-Fonds with its chessboard street pattern, the bustling Val de Travers, the caves of Vallorbe, the enchanting Lac de Joux, the world of luxury watchmakers and the magnificent wine-growing regions along Lake Geneva.
With the buzz of Basel still present, you climb the first heights of the Jura, find peace and quiet along the wooded Swiss-French border river La Lucelle, and slowly immerse yourself in the rolling hills of the Ajoie.
The medieval town of St. Ursanne awaits you at the next Jura chain on the picturesque Jura river Doubs. Another sweaty ascent to the Franches Montagnes plateau is following with a vast, tranquil landscape, fir trees, grazing cows and horses.
At the beginning, the picturesque Etang de la Gruère nature reserve and views of the snow-white peaks of the Mont-Soleil await you. The lively metropolis of timekeeping is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here through the high moor Les Ponts-des-Martel to Travers or Couvet.
You continue your ride along the trail of the Green Fairy through the Val-de-Travers. Ste-Croix and L'Auberson are well known for their beautiful jukeboxes, music boxes and artificial puppeteers.
The TGV sways over its tracks in the plain of Vallorbe. You climb up on Dent de Vaulion and reach Vallée de Joux. In this high valley the cool and clear Lac de Joux awaits you.
Up to Col du Marchairuz. Here you will find hundreds of ant hills and artistically placed stone walls in the tranquil Parc Jura Vaudois. Finally, you can relax and easily roll down into the serenity of Lac Léman.
approx. 55 km
660 m
1'270 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Tour characteristic
The Jura-Route with its diverse topographyis aimed at athletic bikers. It has an almost «exotic» character and leads through little known landscapes in the scarcely populated border country of France. Longers and steeper slopes can usually be shortened by train or cable cars where you can transport your bike as well.
Furthermore, the tour leads over lonely plateaus, some with spectacular views of the Swiss middle land and the high Alps (Freiberge, Balcon du Jura vaudois, Vallée de Joux, Parc naturel régional Jura Vaudois). The tour is almost entirely done on asphalt streets and is therefore perfect for racing bikes. For those who like it a little more leisurely, we recommend an electric bike.
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Information
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
Cheap park & ride parking at the airport Basel-Mulhouse.
Return journey by train from Nyon to Basel, approx. 2.5 h
Travel Documents
Travel documents "analogous"
By default, your travel package includes a set of travel documents, which we will transmit you in advance. The following documents will inform you about your tour:
Travel program with all organizational details.
Official guidebook « Cycling Switzerland»
maps for your biking and/or hiking routes
Detailed maps about your stage locations
Detailed programme day-by-day
Travel documents "digital"
If you select the option "digital travel documents" when booking, we will provide you with all documents for your trip in a digital form. You will receive a small set of documents with the following content:
Manuals for the use of necessary apps
luggage tags
eventual vouchers
En route you will inform yourself easily with the app of SwitzerlandMobility and other free apps. Background information and all other documents are electronically assigned and can be downloaded to your mobile phone in advance.
Since this option saves resources and costs, a discount of CHF 30.- per room is offered.