Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van
A medieval river town, the horse country of the Franches-Montagnes, watchmaking La Chaux-de-Fonds and a rock amphitheatre above Neuchâtel.
- Distance
- 105 km (65 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 27 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- Switzerland
- Updated
- July 26, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 105 km (65 mi) with 7 stops, from St-Ursanne to Neuchâtel. About 1 h 27 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Switzerland
Route description
St-Ursanne is a walled medieval town on a loop of the Doubs, with a stone bridge and a collegiate church; it lies a short detour west of Glovelier on main road 18. From here climb onto the plateau of the Franches-Montagnes.
The Étang de la Gruère is a peat-bog lake in the forest, lovely in the morning mist. Saignelégier, a few kilometres away, is the capital of the Freiberger horse country and hosts a big horse show in August; pastures with horses and cows grazing among the spruce stretch in all directions.
Follow road 18 to La Chaux-de-Fonds, a watchmaking town laid out on a grid and listed by UNESCO together with Le Locle, and the birthplace of Le Corbusier. From Les Brenets, walk or take the boat along the gorge lake of the Doubs to the Saut du Doubs waterfall.
Head south across the Val-de-Travers, the home of absinthe, to the Creux du Van, a huge rock bowl where ibex are often seen on the rim. Finish at Neuchâtel on its lake, with a yellow-stone old town and a castle. The Jura is ideal in late spring and autumn; snow comes early on the high plateau.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
St-Ursanne
Switzerland - 220 km
Étang de la Gruère
NatureSaignelégier, SwitzerlandA dark peat-bog lake ringed by spruce and birch, with a path around it of about an hour. Keep to the trail: the bog is protected.
- 35 km
Saignelégier
Switzerland - 427 km
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Switzerland - 511 km
Saut du Doubs
NatureLes Brenets, SwitzerlandA 27 m waterfall where the Doubs spills out of a gorge lake on the French border. Walk along the lake from Les Brenets in about an hour, or take the boat.
- 621 km
Creux du Van
ViewsVal-de-Travers, SwitzerlandA rock amphitheatre 160 m deep and over 1 km wide in the Jura, home to ibex. A narrow road leads to a mountain farm near the rim; the classic hike climbs from Noiraigue.
- 721 km
Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: St-Ursanne → Saignelégier · 25 km · 0 h 21 minOn the way: Étang de la Gruère.Overnight nearby, for example: Les Grands Champs (16 km); Camping Municipal La Forge (4 km).
- Day 2: Saignelégier → La Chaux-de-Fonds · 27 km · 0 h 23 minOvernight nearby, for example: Aire de camping-cars - Le Russey (10 km); Paradis-Plage (15 km).
- Day 3: La Chaux-de-Fonds → Creux du Van · 31 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Saut du Doubs.Overnight nearby, for example: Paradis-Plage (12 km); Ferme de la Corbière (13 km).
- Day 4: Creux du Van → Neuchâtel · 21 km · 0 h 18 minOvernight nearby, for example: Paradis-Plage (5 km); Camping communal de Cudrefin (8 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van?
4-day road trip of about 105 km (65 mi) with 7 stops, from St-Ursanne to Neuchâtel. About 1 h 27 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 27 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van start and end?
It starts in St-Ursanne and ends in Neuchâtel.
Which countries does Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van pass through?
Switzerland.
Where can you camp along Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van?
OpenStreetMap lists 118 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Les Grands Champs, Aire de camping-cars - Le Russey and Paradis-Plage.
When is the best time for Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
