Trans Swiss Trail, Stage 2/32

The Doubs is a moody, fascinating river. The hike along the south bank from St-Ursanne to La Charbonnière is almost always along nature trails, close to the shimmering, blue-green waters. Many dragonflies and birds inhabit the river banks.

The starting point is just a few steps from the St-Ursanne, Pont St-Jean/ville bus stop. The hike begins among the houses of Saint-Ursanne and passes the Collégiale. It then leaves the village behind and follows yellow-marked hiking trails through the gently rolling Jura landscape.

Open meadows and pastures alternate with longer stretches of forest. The trail mostly stays close to the valley floor and gains only around 260 metres in elevation over the total distance of 15 kilometres. Chervillers is reached after just over two-thirds of the route. Le Chételat lies slightly off the route in the forest; the highest point follows later, in the final third, at just under 490 m. From there, the trail descends gently again via Le Champois.

Towards the end, the houses of Rapides de Soubey and Les Moulins come into view. Shortly before the destination, the trail passes the Relais du Doubs. After just under four hours, the hike ends in Soubey; the Soubey, village bus stop is close to the destination.