Travels
Date: 02-07-2007
Holiday - Switzerland - Wo gibt es Bier Part 3 - Boudry - Motiers
Writen by: Paul le Roux
One thing to note when hiking around this area is that there's loads of possibilities, and armed with a decent map, like the
1:50000 241 T Val de Travers or the
1:25000 1163 Travers, you can really make up one of a myriad of possible routes for yourself in the area. I had neither, which made for even more possibilities! But again, the
Jura is so well marked-out it's easy to find your way. I headed on up to "
Ferme Robert", which has a really nice looking restaurant (it was closed when I arrived), with military memorabilia adorning walls, hunting trophies from years gone by, pot plants suspended from the beams of the upstairs floor.
The farm lies pretty much at the foot of the
Creux du Van area, which by the way, is a nature reserve area from what I understand, as well as having spotted a good few
Chamois (a deer-like creature of the area that appears to be a very good climber) along the way. I have heard that there's still a few Ibex in the area, but the luck of seeing one on my journey didn't materialize that day. Perhaps next time!
Now from
Part 1 you already know of my wanderings in this area in search of a clear way 460 meters or so in altitude up to the top (which should take around one and a half hours or so), as well as the great meal and overnighting at
La Ferme du Soliat. What I did fail to mention though is that I made a friend here, and one who happens to be very knowledgeable of the whole
Jura area, having hiked the lot of it, and could speak English.
Philipp was on his way to le Chasseron, and my journey would be taking me in the same direction for a good stretch of the way along the
Chemin des Cretes. All along the way you'll see low dry stone walling somewhere or other. Miles an miles of it! No mortar at all, just carefully selected stone packed tightly, and who knows how long they've all been standing. In case you haven't seen dry stone walling, you can get a good idea of it
here.
Onwards "la direction Les Rochat!"" From le Soliat, it's a comfortable downhill all the way for the rest of my journey, with some
spectacular scenery, and the
crisp morning air after my rejuvenating overnight had me in high spirits (possibly augmented somewhat by the prospect of grabbing breakfast at Les Rochat, just under two hours walk away, I might add!)
There are a number of sink-holes, called "doline" in this area, and while not directly in your path, you'll spot them if you keep ‘em peeled as you go, particularly just before you get to
Les Rochat. Makes you wonder how many of them tie up via underground channels and caverns. Wish I'd brought my ladder with.
Now just after the restaurant at
La Combaz (beer pit-stop it was to be for us), pretty much halfway between there and the start of my decent down the Poeta Raisse is a cave partly hidden away, so do be on the lookout for the sign. Aptly called "
Cave a Glace", as it's permanently iced as a result of water from above seeping through causing endothermic reactions in the material thus icing the cave all year round. Well that was how I remember Philipp explaining this lot to me anyhow. So if you do find it, and come across a healthy hidden stash of Boxer beer hidden in the depths of the cave – hands off! It's mine! Actually, on second thought, you may help yourself as I've subsequently found a new backpack that perfectly suits my hiking needs:
(
Image)
Authour: Paul's incredible adventures across Europe a few years back has landed him somewhere in Switzerland and surprisingly he decided to hike to the mountains for some fresh air and exercise. This is the third part of his article. There will be a fourth one coming soon. Let's keep our fingers cross.
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 2
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
