ViaJura
Overview
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Distance 14 km
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Duration 3 h 40 min
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Ascent 300 m
Intro
A hike alongside the Suze river, where industrialization of the area began. Traces of dinosaurs, ravines, archaeological remains and gorges make this stage of the ViaJura a particularly varied experience with natural beauty and industrial wasteland.
Description
The last stage of the ViaJura begins in the village of Sonceboz-Sombeval. Steep, forested slopes rise to the north and east. The trail follows the Suze and remains on the valley floor, which it shares with the railway line and the road. In places, the traffic routes lead through the mountain in tunnels.
First, you walk through the forest on a narrow path along the banks of the Suze. Steep rock faces rise to the right, with a few small trees perched on each. After crossing under the motorway, the path turns into a road. Now the narrow gorge widens into a valley. A beautiful dry-stone wall borders the land of the Métairie de Nidau farm. The path then branches off into the forest again and slowly ascends the northern slope. In places, the path leads over beautiful rock steps and past rare flora.
At La Heutte, the route crosses the Suze and changes the side of the valley before reaching Péry shortly afterwards. Now you head across the village southwards and between the steep wooded rocky slopes enclosing the passage to Biel. The industrial stone quarrying operations have been clearly visible for a while. Nevertheless, the dimensions of the Vigier Ciment cement factory come as a surprise. It has been producing 900,000 tonnes of Portland cement annually in the Reuchenette Gorge since 1891.
Frinvillier is reached through a narrow passage that also accommodates the road and the train line. The path runs directly between two rock walls and the Suze and partly leads through concrete tunnels. The route now follows alongside the canalised Suze and leads over narrow footbridges, taking you to the popular Taubenloch Gorge north of Biel.
The path in the cool gorge under overhanging rock walls is secured with railings. Narrow footbridges lead over the water. In the canyon's shade, the Suze rushes over boulders. In places, the path leads through tunnels in the rock and past caves. Also fascinating is the geological structure, telling the story of 150 million years of the earth's history. Layers of limestone 200 metres thick, deposited in the Jura Sea, have been uplifted, folded and cut through by the Suze under tremendous pressure.
At the end of the gorge lies the Bözingen hydroelectric power plant. The power station with multiple sites produces electricity for about 4,500 four-person households. A little later, you reach the main road leading to Biel's city centre, where the last stage of the ViaJura route ends.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Sonceboz
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Biel
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
600 m
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| Ascent |
300 m
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| Descent |
500 m
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| Distance |
14 km
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| Duration |
3 h 40 min
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| Duration back |
4 h
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Season |
All year
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Quick Facts
Route number
