Jo in the Gorges de l'Areuse

One of my favourite walks this year was in the Gorges de l’Areuse in the Jura mountains, above Neuchâtel. We decided that we wanted to do a proper, long hike in an autumn forest and we chose well. The forests in this part of the country are stupidly picturesque in autumn and the route, beginning in Noiraigue and ending in Boudry, didn’t disappoint.

We drove up to Noiraigue and left the car at the train station, next to the beginning of the yellow-signposted hiking path we’d chosen. Tracing the route of the river eastward, the path is easy to follow and not really challenging at all: sloping gently downhill for most of the route, with a couple of winding sections high above some rocky sections of the gorge. Much of the river simply passes through the forest, reminding me of the landscape near Dunkeld in Scotland.

Other sections have carved their way through the landscape, forming spectacular chasms and beautiful smooth rocks. The path winds up and down on these sections and the walker is afforded some pretty wonderful spectacles: a steep, almost ladder-like stairway to get down to the bridge in the main photo accompanying this blog post, and a vertiginous view down into very deep but very narrow chasms.

The route is around 12km from beginning to end, but it’s a relatively easy walk if you take your time. There are the usual yellow “sentier de promenade” (hiking route) markers to guide you: keep your eyes open for the signposts or painted yellow diamonds and follow them to guide you along the main route.

Follow the river until you pass under the railway viaduct and reach the small weir at Boudry. From here, turn left and walk up the unfortunately steep hill past the vineyard, until you reach the small train station at Boudry. From here, you can catch a local train for the 20 minute ride back to Noiraigue, changing at Auvernier.

6 responses to “Gorges de l’Areuse”

  1. habi avatar

    The Gorges de l’Areuse are very nice, also for diving: https://vimeo.com/74744307 & https://vimeo.com/27979679

  2. Diya avatar
    Diya

    Hi thanks for such a lovely description. I am planning to go next weekend. The weather seems sunny but there will be rain in the coming week. So, how slippery does this place get if I were to go next weekend. Or can i rely on good hiking shoes?

    1. Mark Howells-Mead avatar

      It can be slippery – especially if damp and there are leaves on the ground – but no more so than any other woodland. Normal hiking shoes with softer soles and good grips should be fine.

  3. Laura Carotti avatar
    Laura Carotti

    Hi I’m planning to do it this saturday. You think will be ok?

    1. Mark Howells-Mead avatar

      Probably, but you’ll need to check with the local weather services to see whether there is snow and/or muddy conditions underfoot.

  4. Laura Carotti avatar
    Laura Carotti

    Thanks Mark,
    I have sent couple of email info.vdt@ne.ch & info@gorgesdelareuse.ch to ask the trail condition.

    Let’s see.

    Have a good day.
    Laura

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