L'échappée Jurassienne

The "Échappée Jurassienne" is an itinerant hike that starts in the city of Art and History of Dole (in France) and then covers more than 350 km in the Jura to finish in Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The last three stages of this tour will make you discover Switzerland as you have never seen it before.
From La Cure, go to the top of the Dôle (1677 m.) and admire one of the most beautiful panoramas on the lake of Geneva and the Mont-Blanc. Then reach the village of St-Cergue for a well-deserved rest in one of the available accommodations. The next day you will discover a beautiful hike in the forest up to the Toblerones trail which will bring you to the lake. You will be able to sleep in the surroundings of Gland. During the last and third stage, relaxing, you will be able to admire and visit the magnificent Castle of Prangins (Swiss National Museum) and finish your beautiful hike in Nyon. You will be able to enjoy, for example, the shores of the lake, restaurants serving traditional perch fillets, the castle of Nyon and three museums!

Echappée Jurassienne, Step 1 - La Cure - St-Cergue

This first step of the Swiss itinerary of the "Échappée Jurassienne" will make you to discover an incredible landscape through the Jura Vaudois Park
After leaving the town of Les Rousses, it's time to cross the Swiss border at the cross-border village of La Cure! Then you will start the ascent of La Dôle (1677 m), after a passage through the alpine herds and at the "col de la Porte", the peak offers to the hikers an incredible 180° view on the lake of Geneva and the Alps... and The Mont Blanc as you have never seen it before! This is what we will remember from this part of the hike, on one of the highest summits of the Jura Mountains. Then comes the descent to the village of Saint-Cergue from the Barillette.

 

Echappée Jurassienne, Step 2 - St-Cergue - Gland

This 2nd part of the Swiss itinerary of the Échappée Jurassienne descends from the Jura Vaudois to reach the shores of Lake Geneva along the historic Toblerones trail.
After the summit of the Dôle and the Barillette, there is a slow descent to Lake Geneva, but before that, a obligatory passage through the Chartreuse d'Oujon in the heart of the Jura Vaudois Natural Park. After passing by a few farms and herds of cows, the hikers reach the Combe stream and the village of Bassins where the Toblerones trail begins. These concrete blocks, built to make an anti-tank defence line during the Second World War, are shaped like the famous chocolates, hence their name. Now that nature has reclaimed its rights, this unique line of defence is integrated into the natural environment along this refreshing river.

 

On this hike, a multitude of accommodation options are available, to meet all your needs for rest between each stage. Whether you prefer the comfort of a hotel, the friendly atmosphere of a bed and breakfast, or the authenticity of an inn, you are sure to find something to suit you along the way.

L'échappée jurassienne offers a culinary experience rich in flavours and discoveries along the way. Local restaurants pride themselves on offering traditional regional dishes as well as more creative specialities made from fresh, local produce. Whether you are looking for a cosy café for a gourmet break or a gourmet restaurant for a memorable evening out, the establishments along the Jura Escape Route will satisfy your culinary desires. What's more, as you browse these establishments, you will discover the gastronomic riches of the region while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.