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Lake Geneva to Lake Neuchâtel

Along the Franco-Swiss Border

In this northern region of the Alps, sparkling rivers cut through the rolling, wooded hills of the Jura, a magical land shared between France and Switzerland. Below are the great lakes of Geneva and Neuchâtel, and the views from the broad ridges of the Jura across to the snow-capped peaks of Mont Blanc, the Eiger and the High Alps are some of the most splendid in Europe. Though this marvellous, very varied, discovery of the Jura begins and ends in Switzerland, most of the route is through France as you walk from above Lake Geneva round to Lake Neuchâtel, following the border on the French side through a landscape of forest, meadow and ridge. It is a fine, long walk, staying at traditional mountain inns in both countries. One of the holiday’s great features is the excellent regional cooking - delicious cheeses, smoked meats, trout from the streams, and the local aperitif, vin jaune.

Nights: 8
Grade: 2
Terrain: broad ridges, forest tracks, paths across meadows
Hotels: seven 2-star hotels; one 3-star hotel
Meals: dinner & breakfast each day, plus 7 picnics
Climate: summers in the Jura are warm and sunny, with pleasant mountain breezes. Temperatures average 17°C in June, 19°C in July and August, and 15.5°C in September.

Mont d'Or Ridge with the Alps ahead

The crags on day 4

Jougne

Le Creux de Pierre, Les Petits Fourgs

Le Chasseron Ridge

Views from Le Chasseron

Grand Hotel, Les Rasses

Starting point: Hotel Arbez (2*), La Cure. This is a comfortable, very unique hotel, straddling as it does the Franco-Suisse border and offering a choice of rooms in either France or Switzerland!

Day 1: after a short transfer, you set out along a path that ascends steeply into the vast Risoux Forest, divided by the Franco-Suisse border. As you climb, you pass a viewpoint, and from here the path undulates through the forest, reaching another viewpoint at the Roche Bernard (1,280 metres). You then descend to walk across farmland and meadows to Les Mélèzes, with the option of detouring to a distillery that produces gentian-based spirits. (11km, 3.5hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel les Mélèzes (2*), Chapelle-des-Bois. Located directly on the GR5 long-distance path, this simply furnished, friendly hotel welcomes many walkers.

Day 2: an easy route, largely on the flat, that winds in and out of the forest coating Mount Noir and passes isolated farms. (14km, 4hrs)

Accommodation: Auberge du Grand Gît (2*), Chaux-Neuve. This is an attractive hotel built in Alpine chalet style, with spacious bedrooms predominantly furnished in wood.

Day 3: this long walk (albeit with no steep ascents) takes you down into the valley, then through forest. On emerging, you cross a peat bog and pass the source of the River Doubs. After another section through woodland, you walk across farmland before eventually descending into the next valley to Longevilles. (21km, 6.5hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel les Sapins (2*), Longevilles. Monsieur and Madame Lanquetin offer a warm welcome to their simple hotel, where you enjoy tasty home-cooked food.

Day 4: this enjoyable walk starts with an ascent to the summit of Le Morond. From there, you continue uphill to the Mont d’Or ridge, which you follow, with Switzerland on one side and France on the other, to the highest point of the crest (1,463 metres), admiring in good weather the breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc range and parts of the Bernese Oberland. You then descend into Switzerland, only to cross back into France a little while later and walk under some impressive crags. (15km, 5hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel la Couronne (2*), Jougne. The reputation of this attractive, stylish hotel (the best on the holiday) is founded on its restaurant, which attracts a loyal local following.

Day 5: a reasonably easy day’s walk up through grassy meadows grazed by cows and across the broad flank of the Mont de l’Herba, with further glimpses on clear days of the Alpine chain. To extend your walk, you can detour briefly into Switzerland. Whichever you choose, you reach Les Petits Fourgs via a small chapel on low hill. (17km, 5hrs or 20km, 6hrs)

Accommodation: Le Creux de Pierres (2*), Les Petits Fourgs. This chalet-style auberge offers simple accommodation, a warm welcome from the Salomon family, and good regional cuisine.

Day 6: a short and easy day mainly on tracks through forest and open pastures. You start by walking through beautiful forest to a viewpoint from which there are splendid views in good weather of the valley and the striking 10th-century château at Joux, where Mirabeau was once held prisoner. You soon emerge from the forest to walk across open pastureland, passing several isolated farmsteads and walking very close to the Swiss border. If you would like to visit the château and learn more about its fascinating history, you can walk to Joux itself before joining the main route at the viewpoint. (12km, 3.5hrs or 19.5hrs, 8hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel le Tillau (2*), Le Mont-des-Verrières. Though built in traditional Alpine style, the interior is modern and full of light, with lots of wooden panelling, a sauna and a cosy lounge area. Bedrooms are well-equipped and comfortable, while the intimate restaurant specialises in authentic mountain cuisine.

Day 7: this is a fantastic walk with which to end the holiday. You cross lush meadows and – now in Switzerland – ascend to the Etroits Pass (1,153 metres). Your path continues to rise steadily to the Chasseron Ridge, where you are rewarded on clear days with magnificent views of Lake Neuchâtel, Mont Blanc and the terrain you have crossed in the course of the week. (20km, 7hrs)

Accommodation: Grand Hotel (3*), Les Rasses. Built in 1898, the smart, high-ceilinged Grand Hotel is large yet hospitable. Its great feature is the inspirational view of the High Alps, and all rooms have a south-facing balcony or terrace to make the most of the panorama, which is particularly memorable at sunset or sunrise. The menu often features perch fillet from the lake as well as local morel mushrooms and Vacherin cheese. There is a pleasant indoor pool and sauna.

Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.

Recommendations for extra nights: Hotel Arbez (La Cure) for extra walking (you can explore the La Dole ridge); Le Grand Hotel (Les Rasses), La Couronne (Jougne) and Le Tillau (Le Mont-des-Verrières) for relaxation.

Extensions: If you are flying via Geneva, explore the Bernese Oberland with three nights at the 3* Hotel Victoria situated in the centre of Kandersteg.

Take the Train and break your journey for a night in Paris on the way, staying at one of our favourite Parisian hotels. Read about one traveller's experiences in her personal travel diary.

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Similar holidays: Lake Lucerne (grade 2), The Leutasch Valley (grade 2), Towards the Matterhorn (grades 2 & 3), Villages of the Engadine (grades 2 & 3), The High Dolomites (grades 2 & 3), The Bernese Oberland (grades 2 & 3)

Prices & travel 2008:

Recommended destination airport: Geneva
Latest flight arrival time: 1700
Earliest flight departure time: 1200
*Connecting travel: return rail from Geneva airport (out/home 1h15) £47pp

By rail includes: Eurostar /TGV/regional rail via Paris & Geneva (out)/Pontarleir (back); upgrade to 1st class rail £180pp. Please note that a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made
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Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
Start: any day

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