Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Chemin des Gorges de Covatannaz
Ste-CroixBaulmes
- Distance
- 7.0 km
- Duration
- 1:50 h
- Ascent
- 60 m
- Descent
- 500 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
Ancient know-how discovery, from the Stone Age until our time: the Covatannaz Gorges represent a highlight of picturesque paths in the Jura. These gorges are located between Sainte-Croix and Vuiteboeuf and constitute a link between the Jura and the plain.
From Ste-Croix railway station, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail heads downhill from close to the highest point of the route, at just under 1,100 metres. The settlement is soon left behind. Woodland characterises the first section, interspersed with open meadows and pastures. With no lengthy uphill sections, the route steadily loses altitude and reaches La Villette after around three kilometres.
The most striking section follows shortly afterwards. At the Cascades du Covatanne, the water plunges through rocky terrain as the path passes close by the waterfalls. The descent then continues, alternating between shady woodland and open farmland. Over the seven kilometres, the route descends by around 500 metres in total.
Towards the end, the surroundings become more settled again. After just under two hours, the hike ends in Baulmes; the railway station is only a few minutes’ walk from the finishing point.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
STEP Ste-Croix
From 6 Jul 2026 – Until 2 Jul 2027
Aufgrund der Bauarbeiten an der Kläranlage und des Baustellenverkehrs wird derWanderweg über La Villette umgeleitet.
Bas de Gorges de Covatanne
From 17 Aug 2026 – Until 2 Oct 2026
Die Passage ist zu Fuß nicht passierbar. Bitte nutzen Sie die ausgeschilderte Umleitung.
ARA Ste-Croix
From 27 Aug 2026 – Until 2 Jul 2027
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
