Trans Swiss Trail, Stage 1/32

After the lovely old town of Porrentruy, across fields to the forested Jura chain. Then a descent through deep folds carved in the karst rocks by the River Doubs. St-Ursanne is a bijou. The breath of another age permeates the monastery cloister..

From Porrentruy railway station, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail initially leads through the town. The houses are soon left behind and the long ascent begins. Forest characterises the first half of the roughly 17-kilometre route, interspersed with open meadows and pastures. With around 620 metres of ascent and a hiking time of just under five hours, the route requires a degree of stamina but remains technically easy.

Around halfway along, the trail reaches its highest point at approximately 880 m. It then descends through the wooded Jura landscape to Seleute. The village offers a possible refreshment stop at Restaurant La Fontaine. The final section once again leads through forest and open countryside before Saint-Ursanne comes into view. In the town, the route passes the Collégiale on the way to the finish. The St-Ursanne, Pont St-Jean/ville stop is only a few steps from the endpoint.