Hikes in Perrefitte

Lakes are a rarity in the Jura. Here is one: Lac Vert. Across Jura pastures, you reach this green (artificially created) lake and through the pretty gorge Combe Fabet down to Moutier.

This circular hike leads from Moutier over and through the ridge of Mont Girod. Two gorges are crossed, and a lake is discovered amidst steep Jura limestone cliffs.

On Moron mountain stands an elegant stone tower. This hike leads from Moutier up to the observation tower Tour de Moron and further to the monastery complex at Bellelay.

Grand Chasseral - discover the eight mountains | Grand Chasseral - eight mountains to discover

Attention: The Moron tower is currently closed indefinitely due to structural damage! The Moron is firstly a highlight in the geographical sense. Secondly, the tower designed by the world-famous architect Mario Botta has become a landmark of the area. Finally, the panoramic view from the tower is surprising. Some sections have a hard surface.

Warning: The Moron Tower is currently closed until further notice due to structural damage! High-altitude hike from the Birs valley over the gentle ridge of Moron to Bellelay, the gateway to the Freibergen. On Moron stands a lookout tower, built according to the plans of architect Mario Botta. The historically significant Bellelay hosts a former monastery. At the start of the hike, there are 3.8 km of hard surface, which can be bypassed by taking a PostAuto bus to Perrefitte. 

Varied hike along the gentle slope of the Moron. Along the way, picturesque Jura villages – including the birthplace of the world-famous clown Grock – wide pastures, bright plateaus, and dark forests. Longer paved sections in the villages, on the Champoz plateau, and from the exit of Combe Fabet.

209 steps that are worth it. Climbing the lookout tower designed by the Ticino architect Mario Botta offers a great view of the Bernese Jura and the mountains beyond. The circular hike starts in Perrefitte with the scenic path through the gorge. Through the forest, it continues over wooden bridges along the river La Chalière. Then the tour leads along the forest edge to the hamlet of Les Ecorcheresses. The next turn takes us through woods and over meadows up to Moron, where the aforementioned lookout tower can be climbed. The return path to Perrefitte passes through Wytweiden, which are typical for the Jura.

Varied hike through the gentle flank of the Moron. Along the way, picturesque Jura villages - including the birthplace of the world-famous clown Grock -, wide pastures, bright plateaus, and dark forests. Longer hard surface sections in the villages, on the Champoz plateau, and from the exit of the Combe Fabet.

As is often the case in the Jura, the term “Mont” does not refer to a true peak but rather to a vast high plateau located southwest of Moutier. The town lies in a valley basin accessible via a gorge to the north and south. The Birs River, which originates south of the Col de Pierre Pertuis, cuts through a Jura mountain range in a northerly direction via the Gorges de Court. We’ll cross these gorges toward the end of the loop hike.▶ If you start this hike at the train station in the center of Moutier, you’ll need to walk 2.2 km southwest through town to reach the actual starting point. The route initially passes the Musée Jurassien des Arts and later the Église Notre-Dame de la Prévôté. At the southern roundabout, turn right onto the road to Bellelay and follow it for 550 m to the La Foule 01 bus stop ( 548 m). This is where our return route joins from the left. We stay on the main road, then after 700 m—past a car repair shop in Perrefitte 02 ( 573 m)—we turn left onto a gravel road. This road leads past a farmhouse into the gorge-like valley of Combe Fabet. The wide path ends after a few meters and continues as a narrow trail in the stream bed of the gorge, which carries water only during heavy rain or in the spring. Crossing over large boulders and smaller steep sections, we traverse the gorge—which is surrounded by deciduous forest—and steadily gain elevation. The gorge section is just under 1,300 m long and ends in a gentle meadow valley 03 ( 742 m), which gives no hint of the rugged scenery we passed through just moments before. The stream narrows to a trickle and then disappears entirely—a typical phenomenon of karst mountains. A few meters past the end of the gorge, there is an iron gate on the left side of the trail; we pass through it and follow the faintly marked meadow path uphill to the Petit Champoz farmstead. Here we come to an asphalt road that takes us to the left and, after a right-hand curve, to a gravel lot next to a building.South of the house, the ascent trail 04 ( 743 m) to Mont Girod begins, which follows a wide forest road the entire way.