Jura Crest Trail, Stage 15/16

The trail leads through parkland-like landscape with scattered alpine huts and a lacework of kilometre-long dry stone walling, partly through a nature reserve established in 1972. It’s worth making a short stop to the ruins of the ancient monastery Oujon.

The hike begins at the Le Marchairuz, col bus stop, on the 1,447-metre Col du Marchairuz pass. The broad hiking trail crosses the open Jura heights, initially gaining elevation gently. After just under five kilometres, the route reaches its highest point at Crêt de la Neuve, at almost 1,500 metres. The ridge forms part of the Parc jurassien vaudois.

The trail then begins a long descent through alternating pastures and woodland. In the Forêt de la Combe, the trees close in; the trail, marked in yellow throughout, continues towards St-Cergue. After around three and a half hours, Notre-Dame d’Oujon stands in a clearing directly on the route. Founded in 1146, the Carthusian monastery was the oldest in Switzerland. It was dissolved in 1537 and survives today as an excavated archaeological ruin.

The descent continues along the final section. The first houses of Saint-Cergue soon come into view; a few steps later, the hike ends at St-Cergue railway station.