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Hard Hiking Trails in Jura

10 routes in Jura qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 46.1 km and 897 m (2,943 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 140 km.

That is 25 percent of the 40 routes we map in Jura. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 46.1 km against 17.1 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 897 m (2,943 ft) on average versus 255 m (837 ft) across the wider area.

Hard routes mean sustained ascent, long descents and a real need to watch the clock and the forecast. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

Petite chute sur le Doubs près d'Ocourt.
Hard

Trans Swiss Trail

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
16.3 km
/ 10.1 mi
Elevation gain
618 m
Typical duration
4 hr 22 min
  • Waymarked route
Lac de Lucelle, Lucelle JU, Suisse
Hard

Chemin du Jura - Etappe 1

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
18.2 km
/ 11.3 mi
Elevation gain
723 m
Typical duration
4 hr 58 min
  • Waymarked route
Photo: Trams aux Fils. Prise en août 1977 La ligne du C.J. Chemin de Fer du Jura à été construite entre 1884 et 1913 à voie métrique, sa longueur et de 51,1 Kilomètres
Hard

Chemin du Jura - Etappe 5

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
21.2 km
/ 13.2 mi
Elevation gain
129 m
Typical duration
4 hr 48 min
  • Waymarked route
Petite chute sur le Doubs près d'Ocourt.
Hard

Chemin du Jura - Etappe 3

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
16.3 km
/ 10.1 mi
Elevation gain
618 m
Typical duration
4 hr 22 min
  • Waymarked route
Viaduc de Saint-Ursanne; Jura, Switzerland.
Hard

Chemin du Jura - Etappe 4

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
18.1 km
/ 11.2 mi
Elevation gain
604 m
Typical duration
4 hr 45 min
  • Waymarked route
Swiss border
Hard

Chemin du Jura - Etappe 2

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
19.4 km
/ 12.1 mi
Elevation gain
345 m
Typical duration
4 hr 41 min
  • Waymarked route
La Bouège / Doubs
Hard

Au fil du Doubs - Etappe 2

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
21.0 km
/ 13.0 mi
Elevation gain
770 m
Typical duration
5 hr 42 min
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Tour du Pays de Montbéliard

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
140 km
/ 86.8 mi
Elevation gain
3,074 m
Typical duration
37 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Le Tour de Réchésy

Jura · Switzerland

Distance
16.5 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
363 m
Typical duration
4 hr 2 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
E5, Ballon d'Alsace - Réchésy via BelfortJura73.8 km576 m18 hrExpertApril to October
Bornes et Forts du Pays de MontbélierdJura117 km1,516 m29 hrExpertApril to October
Trans Swiss TrailJura16.3 km618 m4 hr 22 minHardApril to October
Chemin du Jura - Etappe 1Jura18.2 km723 m4 hr 58 minHardApril to October
Chemin du Jura - Etappe 5Jura21.2 km129 m4 hr 48 minHardApril to October
Chemin du Jura - Etappe 3Jura16.3 km618 m4 hr 22 minHardApril to October
Chemin du Jura - Etappe 4Jura18.1 km604 m4 hr 45 minHardApril to October
Chemin du Jura - Etappe 2Jura19.4 km345 m4 hr 41 minHardApril to October
Au fil du Doubs - Etappe 2Jura21.0 km770 m5 hr 42 minHardApril to October
Tour du Pays de MontbéliardJura140 km3,074 m37 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with E5, Ballon d'Alsace - Réchésy via Belfort, Trans Swiss Trail, Bornes et Forts du Pays de Montbélierd. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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