Parc régional Chasseral

9 Highlights in the Parc régional Chasseral

• Mont Chasseral is the highest peak in the Bernese Jura with an altitude of 1607 m above sea level and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
• The famous "Chasseral-Rundweg" has a length of 25 km and leads past many beautiful viewpoints.
• Alps managed in summer offer local products such as cheese, butter and milk for direct sale.
• The Chasseral Plate includes typical local products, which are popular in restaurants.
• Several lakes offer good water sports: including Lake Biel, Lake Neuchâtel and Lac de Moron.
• Rare animals such as black stork, Alpine salamander, ibex or capercaillie can be observed here.
• The Chasseral Nature Park is an important habitat for many species of butterflies, especially for the red-spotted alpine widderflies, which are found in this region.
• Several visitor centers provide information about the region, its history, and its flora and fauna.
• The Chasseral Festival is one of many summer festivals held annually in the nature park.

For an overview of the nature parks in Switzerland, see our article on the 20 most beautiful Swiss nature parks.

What awaits you in the Parc régional Chasseral

The Chasseral Nature Park encompasses a variety of landscapes, including forests, meadows, alps, gorges and lakes.

For now, we'll stay in the Jura Mountains for the Chasseral Nature Park. It was named after the Chasseral, the highest elevation in the Bernese Jura, which is also considered the panoramic terrace of the Swiss Jura.

The park covers an area of 474 km² and is home to a total of around 51,000 inhabitants in 23 municipalities. It has held its title as a regional nature park since 2012.

The park, located in the triangle between Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Biel, shows itself from different facets. Plateaus, pastures and vineyards alternate with valleys and gorges. It is also known for its many dry stone walls. But this region is also of great culinary importance - especially with regard to the production of famous chocolate and cheese varieties.

If Ragusa and Torino as chocolate factories in Switzerland mean anything to you, you know what we are talking about. It's the same with Tête de Moine as a Swiss show dairy. The region is also known for its many wineries that produce wines of excellent quality and regularly win awards.

Of course, the Chasseral Nature Park is a true hiker's paradise with vantage points where, on a clear day, you can marvel at a stunning Alpine panorama from Säntis to Mont Blanc.

That would be about 400 km of mountains strung together. The name "Aussichtsterrasse der Schweiz" is certainly not stolen here.

How to best explore the Parc régional Chasseral

Chasseral is a popular place for hiking and picnics. There are many ways to explore the Chasseral Nature Park. On foot, by bike or on a mountain bike, the Chasseral Nature Park is wonderful to discover.

The park is also accessible by public transport and if you don't feel like physical exertion, I recommend you to take the train from La Chaux-de-Fonds to Sonceboz-Sombeval. Of course with a stopover at the Camille Bloch chocolate factory in Courtelary.

Many well-marked hiking trails are scattered throughout the park, while by bike you'll be best off on the Jura Route.

• The fifth stage of the Route Verte starts in the heart of the Chasseral Nature Park and takes you past La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of the Swiss watchmaking industry, among other places.
• A popular route is the hike to the Chasseral summit from Nods. This hike is just under 5 km long and offers spectacular views of the Alps and Lake Biel. You will need about 50 min for one stretch and you are also allowed to take your (leashed) dog with you. In winter, this trail is suitable for a snowshoe hike.

• The Chasseral Panorama hiking route impresses above all with the view of the countless mountains of the Alps.
• In the valley near St-Imier, the Sentier du Vallon is a leisurely, short hike for those who like it easy and less steep.
• The hike from the Magglingen sports center to the cool Twannbach gorge runs through the Wytweiden of the Twannberg: 10.25 km long, 2-4 hours.
• The Bike Route Erguël is an 18 km circuit for mountain bikers of medium fitness who want to complete their training in a varied and impressive landscape.
• The "Tour du Chasseral", a 70-kilometer circuit around the park. This route is demanding but offers breathtaking scenery and magnificent views of the Alps.
• A recommended route for winter is the ski tour from Les Prés-d'Orvin to the Chasseral summit. This tour takes about 3 hours and offers breathtaking views of the landscape.

How to get to the Parc régional Chasseral

If you are not on the way from Schaffhausen to Geneva by bike, you can also reach the nature park Chasseral by public transport. From Biel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Neuchâtel you can reach the park in about 30 minutes. You can either take the train, the bus or your own car. If you want to take the train to Biel, you can easily reach the park by bus from there. The nearest bus stop is "Chasseral, Le Sommet". From there it is only a few minutes walk to the Chasseral summit.

A visit to the Parc régional Chasseral is an unforgettable experience for nature and culture lovers alike.