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Date: 24-06-2007

Holiday - Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 2 - Boudry - Motiers

Writen by: Paul le Roux

L'areuse Bridge

I think the most difficult part of finding your way on a hike in the Jura is finding where to begin - finding that first marking as the route begins - once on it you just can't seem to get lost no matter how hard you try as it's just so well marked out and maintained, as are all of them by the looks of things. Crossing the bridge over the l'Areuse river I'd found my starting point and was off into another world.

We're taking the trout-route here, and we've got just less than 300 meters to climb along the river over this stretch of about 10-12 kilometers to just before Noirague. There's a great map here that shows you the route as part of another possible hike you could do, except I turned "left" somewhere just before Noirague, looking on the map, and made my way up the Cruex du Van and over far-left on the map on to and down the Poeta-Raisse to Motiers.

There's some gorgeous pics I found surfing around the web here, showing you why I fully intend doing this route again one autumn. Stopping along the way to pillage your backpack for all the nice eats you packed in for yourself, listening to the river's song.... can you picture it?

I must warn though, that there's indeed a warning of falling boulders as you enter the gorge, and as with any gorge, do watch out for weather. The place can get pretty slippery when wet, and judging by the gorge itself and myriad potholes I'd imagine the waters could swell somewhat. That's why, in preparation for this, I packed enough beers in my backpack. I might add that I usually hike with a backpack that always seems to be about double the size of those carried by other hikers I pass along my routes. But that's just me. So should you find yourself hiking past some cows somewhere and the sounds of the cowbells are suddenly drowned by the sound of empty bottles clinking as you turn to see a gigantic backpack approaching at high speed, looking as though I were a tortoise sprinting on its hind legs and it my shell, then you'll be just about to meet me as I zoot on past you with a "Bonjour!" as I try to make up time lost by getting lost on a route that's impossible to get lost on. I do stop and ask directions if ever I need, and this culminates in me being none the wiser for all the reply in French that swirled my eardrums. "There's a stampede of wild buffalo approaching this area, so I'd strongly advise that you turn around right now and head on back", the words could have meant and would as always be met with a few "Ah", "mmm mmm" and some "Oui", a final "Merci" from me and I'd merely continue onward with my own stampede, course unaltered, straight toward said buffalo. That's the trouble with tourist language guides � they teach you how to ask for directions but not a whisper about how to understand the replies.

I found a great video on the web of just this very part of my route, so rather than having you try to imagine how beautiful the area is, you can see it for yourself in this video clip here.

I have no idea who these folks are, but they really seemed to be enjoying that salad, so just before they reach Noirague do look out for the informative signposts showing directions and distances to various destinations as they reach crossroads where paths meet. I'll be taking the one that points to Creux du Van next.

Authour: Paul's incredible adventures across Europe a few years back has landed him somewhere in Switzerland and he has written a small piece of it in this wonderful article. This is the second part of his article. We all can only hope that he doesn't get too drunk in all his travels.

Other articles by Paul and Peter le Roux, the two Europe travelling brothers.
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 1
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 3
Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 4
Switzerland - Tete de Moine
Part 1 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 1)
Part 2 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 2)
Part 3 of Chateau de Chillon: Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 3)
Brugge of Belgium: Belgium - Brugge
HMS Belfast: London - HMS Belfast - Floating War Museum