Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Porrentruy

In the heart of the Ajoie region the bulge of Canton Jura that sticks out into France is the rather attractive town of Porrentruy. Its graceful old centre is filled with eighteenth-century buildings, while a total of nine schools and colleges lend the cobbled streets a vivacity lacking in towns twice the size.

Day 2:
Porrentruy to St Ursanne, 11 miles (17.8 km) - 5 hours

The first part of the route runs through the gentle rolling hills of the Ajoie where farms predominate. Then it's a climb up to the wooded Jura mountain ridge of Sur la Croix. From there it's down again into the deep narrow gorge of the River Doubs - your first taste of the dramatic sudden changes of scenery on the Trans Swiss trail! Overnight in St Ursanne.

Day 3:
St Ursanne to Soubey, 10 miles (15.3 km) - 3.75 hours

The Doubs Valley is a hikers' paradise. The milder temperatures down here are a far cry from the wind-blown tops of the Jura mountains. And in summer the river and the forested valley floor afford comforting shade and freshness. Trout thrive under these conditions, but they also find their way onto the menus of the local restaurants and inns ... Overnight in Soubey.

Day 4:
Soubey to Saignelégier, 8 miles (13.3 km) - 2.75 hours

Abandoned waterwheels and sawmills with decaying riverside constructions remind us that this now practically deserted region was once a thriving industrial area. It is at one of these mills - Le Moulin Jeannotat, that the route leaves the river and climbs up to a bright but also often windswept high undulating plateau known as Franches-Montagnes (Free Mountains). Overnight in Saignelégier.

Day 5:
Saignelégier to Saint-Imier, 10 miles (15.6 km) - 4.25 hours

As you follow the trail which takes you through vast lush open meadows scattered with gigantic pine trees you could easily believe you were in a huge nature reserve. You'll be in the company of the locally bred brown Freiberg horses and the omnipresent dairy cows until the route gradually climbs up through sparse forests to Mont Soleil. Taking advantage of the high open elevation are wind turbines and a solar energy installation. You would be advised to take the funicular down to Saint-Imier to avoid a steep descent.

Day 6:
Saint-Imier to Dombresson, 11 miles (17 km) - 4 hours

From Vallon de Saint-Imier, the once flourishing watchmaking region, the trail climbs up again. Not up the Chasseral although its mighty profile dominates today's journey. The view from this cross-country skiing resort and hikers' paradise over to the 3 lakes is marvellous. The adjoining Val de Ruz is a transitional case; it doesn't quite belong to the Jura climatically or scenery-wise anymore, neither is it yet a full part of the Mittelland. Overnight in Dombresson.

Day 7:
Dombresson to Neuchâtel, 6 miles (10 km) - 4 hours

A gentle climb from Val de Ruz takes you along the flank of the Chaumont towards the Mittelland. If you want to savour the glorious view to the full, take the route signposted to Chaumont when you reach the fork in the path. From up there you can take the funicular down to Neuchâtel.

Day 8:
Departure from Neuchâtel

Departure from Neuchâtel after breakfast.