Parc du Doubs

8 Highlights in the Parc du Doubs

• The Saut du Doubs is an impressive waterfall fed by the Doubs River, offering a breathtaking view.
• The Parc du Doubs is known for its rich wildlife, including beavers, otters, wild boars, foxes, badgers, deer, roe deer, lynxes, and even wolves.
• This nature park features picturesque landscapes with gentle hills, dense forests, and clear rivers and lakes.
• Historical sites, such as the medieval town of Saint Ursanne, are nestled within the scenic landscape.
• In summer, the park provides plenty of opportunities for swimming and picnicking along the banks of the Doubs.
• The Parc du Doubs is a popular destination for birdwatching, hosting over 150 different bird species, including rare ones like the eagle owl and the river plover.
• For nature enthusiasts, the park offers guided hikes and excursions to learn more about the park's flora and fauna.
• Untouched gorges with steep banks can be found along the Doubs River, making them popular spots for canoeists and anglers. The nature park stretches for 50 km along the river.

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

What to Expect in the Parc du Doubs

The Doubs river shapes the northern part of the nature park and is responsible for its name. At the same time, the river forms the border with France north of the Jura mountains.

The Parc du Doubs covers an area of over 300 km². It stretches from the French border in the north to the high plateau of the Freiberge in the south. To the west, it is bordered by Les Brenets (Canton of Neuchâtel) and to the east by the medieval town of Saint Ursanne (Canton of Jura). In the north, the nature park extends deep into French territory, giving it a cross-border character. Even the famous waterfall is located partially in France.

Extensive forests and pastures characterize the cultural landscape. Horse breeding has shaped the region for centuries, which is also known for its cattle farming. Nearly 60,000 people live in the area of the nature park and are increasingly relying on nature-based tourism.

It's worth mentioning the significance of the two watchmaking cities La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle. Both are located very close to the park. They have a long tradition in watch production and have been globally recognized for their precision movements since the 19th century. In 2009, both cities were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

With its deep gorges, gentle hills, and rushing waterfalls, the Parc du Doubs offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike. There are also medieval places, high plateaus with stone walls, and pastoral landscapes with the aforementioned horse pastures. Moor lakes and rugged Jura rocks are also part of the scenery. Here, you can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of nature.

How best to explore the Parc du Doubs

The park offers a wealth of opportunities to enjoy nature. You can go hiking, biking, fishing and boating here.

Apart from these common ways of getting around, here comes another important point. If you have always wanted to get on a horse and go for a long ride, this is the place for you. You can also visit various horse farms and learn more about the local Freiberger.

By the way, up to 5000 horses graze here in summer. However, since they can move freely, they are not always in the same places. The organization "Horses in the Jura" has created an interactive map that allows you to find the current location of various herds.

But also for everyone else there is a lot to experience in the Parc du Doubs.

Here are some examples of activities in the Parc du Doubs

• Circular hike from Les Brenets to the Saut du Doubs waterfall: the 27 m high waterfall is an absolute highlight on this easy hike. 8.2 km length, 3 hrs., 400 m altitude difference
• Circumnavigation of Etang de Gruere: The path around the pond near Saignelégier is easy to walk, dogs are also allowed here. 2.4 km, 35 min, 49 vertical meters.
• Hike from Le Noirmont towards Le Creux de Gros Gipoux: The moderate hike leads to the Ruine de Spiegelberg and back. 15.1 km, 5.5 hrs, 831 vertical meters.
• Canoe and kayak trips on the Doubs River between Goumois and St. Ursanne: They are very romantic and relaxing.
• Boat trip on the Lac de Brenets: excursion boats operate from spring to autumn
• Cycling along the Doubs river from Soubey to St. Ursanne. This route of about 20 km takes about 1-2 hours.
• Fishing along the Doubs River: There are many fishing spots along the river, including the Lac des Brenets lake.
• Bird watching: The Parc du Doubs is an important habitat for many bird species, including the black stork. A recommended site for bird watching is the bog lake Étang de la Gruère. The best time for this is in the early morning hours.

• The famous Bicycle Route Verte starts in its fourth stage in St-Ursanne on the Doubs. It overcomes a few meters of altitude before passing through the vastness of the Franches-Montagnes.
• On the ridge walk to the Sommêtres, you'll pass a climber's paradise and rugged limestone cliffs.
• The rock arena of the Creux de Moron offers a spectacular view of the Doubs. You reach it not far from the town of Le Locle high above the Lac de Moron over a steep rock cliff.

How to Reach Parc du Doubs

You can reach Parc du Doubs by public transport, but it's not as straightforward as getting to the Jurapark Aargau. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more time, it's not a serious issue.

The cities of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, and St. Ursanne are on the SBB network, and several villages in the Franches-Montagnes can be accessed by train. There are also buses and cable cars that service the park.

For example, a narrow-gauge train from Transports Publics Neuchâtelois runs from Le Locle to Les Brenets. You can also use a cable car from Saint-Imier to Mont-Soleil for trips to the nearby Parc du Doubs.

If you're driving, you can take the A16 or A5 and head to the park entrance at Les Brenets. From Basel, it takes about an hour via the A18 and D430 to get to Les Brenets. From Neuchatel, it's about a 40-minute drive via the A5 and D437. There are several parking areas within the park, allowing you to explore on foot or by bike.

A visit to Parc du Doubs is especially worthwhile for nature lovers, horse enthusiasts, and hiking fans. It offers a variety of activities and attractions throughout the year, making it an ideal travel destination.