2023
Cycling holidays in Switzerland: The Jura Route

Cycle Tour in Switzerland: The Jura Route

From the mountain ranges of the Swiss Jura to Lake Geneva

Basel – Val-de-Travers – Nyon

  • Secluded plateaus, breathtaking views, untouched nature, medieval villages
  • Daily routes ●●●●○
  • Altitude profile ●●●●○
  • Insider Tip!

Tage
8

Ø km pro Tag
50

Spectacular views, fragrant coniferous forests with mighty pines and breathtaking, austere mountains. This is what a cycle tour in Switzerland along the Jura Route has in store for you! And you earned it, as you'll be cycling pretty athletic routes from Hochrhein to Lake Geneva. In the lonely expanse of the Jura scenery, clocks seem to tick a little slower than elsewhere. Things liven up in the former clock-making metropolis, La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the Swiss canton of Neuenburg. But there's one thing you're guaranteed: In the remoteness of the Franches-Montagnes highlands, in the medieval villages in Doubs Valley or in the high valley of Vallée de Joux, you'll lose any feeling of time. Enjoy it! For as soon as you arrive at the inspiring Lake Geneva at Nyon, you'll already be at the end of your cycle tour in Switzerland, along the Jura Route!

Itinerary

  • Booking Code
    OE-CHBN7
  • Start / Destination
    Basel / Nyon
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 km
    Daily routes ●●●●○
    between 30 and 70 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●○
Cycling holidays in Switzerland: The Jura Route

Day 1: Individual arrival in Basel

In Basel, the Rhine, Rhine bridges and the Fährli (boats) that takes you across the river are everywhere. You'll see - when you arrive. From Spalentor, you have wonderful views over the roofs of Basel's old quarter. Historic buildings are perfectly juxtapositioned with modern architecture. The Münster cathedral is particularly inspiring. Fancy a drink? Then try one of the many "buvettes" on the banks of the Rhine!

Day 2: Basel – Miécourt, approx. 60 km

On the first section of your cycling holiday, you feel Switzerland in your legs - as you climb into the Jura! You start the route on a gentle incline along the forested Swiss-French area, La Lucelle, close to the border. Then you start climbing up to Challhöchi pass. In the absolute tranquility, the view of the undulating Jura peaks is even more impressive. In the small village of Miécourt, with its old farm houses, you are totally surrounded by the gentle hillscapes of the Ajoie.

Day 3: Miécourt – Saignelégier, approx. 45 km

Along the Doubs river, you leave the Ajoie, and have completed the first part of your cycle tour in Switzerland on the Jura Route. With a lot of pedal power, you reach the isolated plateau of the Franches-Montagnes. Enjoy an amazing downhill whoop into Doubs Valley, to the medieval St. Ursanne, with its three town gates, right on the river. The scene from the stone bridge is beautiful and perfect for a break. Then you have an uphill section to the plateau. In the wonderful peace and quiet, the pines seem even mightier in this meadow countryside. In Saignelégier, you are at just under 1000 metres of altitude.

Day 4: Saignelégier – Travers / Couvet, approx. 65 / 70 km

Via La Cibourg, you reach the former clock-making town of La Chaux-de-Fonds. In the chequered town, you find the International Museum of Watches and many Art Nouveau buildings. Along level but also hilly routes, you cycle through the High Moor of Les Ponts-des-Martel. Lively frogs and buzzing dragonflies add to the almost mystic atmosphere here. In Val de Travers, is the small village of Traves with a castle and stone bridge. You stay overnight in either Travers or Couvet.

Day 5: Travers / Couvet – Sainte-Croix, approx. 30 km

Today a particularly pretty route through the countryside awaits you. Val-de-Travers - once the hub for making absinthe - offers breath-taking views of the Swiss midlands. The Green Fairy still has its mystic character. Absinth was forbidden for a long time. You cycle as far as Sainte-Croix, the world capital for music boxes. Visit Cima museum and wake up the child inside you! Sainte-Croix is also known for Amandine - an almond and honey cake, perfect as a souvenir.

Day 6: Sainte-Croix – Vallée de Joux, approx. 45 km

After some intense uphill pedalling and wonderful downhill freewheeling, you reach the levels of Vallorbe. You continue on to Lac de Joux in the high valley of the same name, Vallée de Joux. The nature around the largest lake of the Swiss Jura is almost entirely unspoiled. You'll find rest and relaxation in this wonderful countryside. Vallée de Joux is often referred to as the valley of clocks - known as it is for the art of watchmaking. The valley is home to many famous watch manufacturers.

Day 7: Vallée de Joux – Nyon, approx. 55 km

You cycle along the banks of Lac de Joux. A long incline to over 1300 m follows. And then you have made it! Now it's almost all downhill through the diverse biotope of the Jura vaudoi nature park via Lake Geneva to Nyon. From its castle terrace, you come to appreciate the town's location on a lake and with surrounding vineyards. Wild vineyards grow on the walls of the promenade path, Vieilles Murailles. It takes you right to the Kastanienplatz – to three remaining columns, dating back to the Romans.

Day 8: Individual departure or extended stay

After breakfast, your cycle tour in Switzerland comes to an end. On your journey home, you will remember the remoteness of the Jura and the tranquillity of this scenic route.

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Dates / prices / services

Season times and prices 2023

Arrival daily from 08.04.2023 to 15.10.2023

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
15.04. - 12.05.
23.09. - 15.10.
from1049 €
Season B
08.04. - 14.04.
13.05. - 22.09.
from1105 €

All prices per person in a double room.

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Services

  • 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Nyon, max. 1 piece / person, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Clock museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds
  • GPS tracks available on request
  • Cycle route description with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service-Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not inlcuded is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

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For our younger cyclists

Because of the challenging sections, we do not recommend this tour for children.

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All prices are per person

Additional Services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

329 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Basel
 DBL

95 €

 SGL

129 €

Nyon
 DBL

85 €

 SGL

125 €

All prices are per person

Rental Bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
149 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
285 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 27-gear unisex, derailleur gears with free-wheel
  • Electric bike
Fittings

Panniers, handlebar bag, repair kit and bicycle lock, odometer, pump
 

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27-gear Rental Bikes

149 €

E-bike

285 €

All prices are per person

Brief Information

  • Booking Code
    OE-CHBN7
  • Start / Destination
    Basel / Nyon
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 305 km
    Daily routes ●●●●○
    between 30 and 70 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●○
  • Route condition
    The route mainly runs on paved roads and country roads with some steep ascents.
  • Parking Information
    Parking in Basel (with costs) More economic parking is available at the airport, Basel-Mulhouse. Direct bus connection to Basel SBB station, duration approx. 30 minutes.
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Basel 
    Self-organised by train, connections every half hour, 2 changes, duration approx. 3 hours.
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
    Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
Cycling holidays in Switzerland: The Jura Route

Tage
8

Ø km pro Tag
50