Cycling through the Swiss Mountains from Basel to Nyon
The Jura stretches from Basel to Lake Geneva in a landscape of wooded ridges, quiet plateaus, open pastures and panoramic viewpoints. This cycling holiday takes you through the Ajoie region and the Doubs valley, medieval St-Ursanne, the Franches-Montagnes plateau and the UNESCO World Heritage city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Further south, the route continues through Val-de-Travers and Vallée de Joux before reaching Col du Marchairuz and descending towards Lake Geneva.
A self-guided cycling journey through the Swiss Jura
This self-guided cycling holiday combines the freedom to ride at your own pace with the practical support of a prepared route. Digital travel documents and a navigation app help you follow the route independently, while daily luggage transfers let you cycle without carrying your main luggage. With the route running almost entirely on asphalt and including a varied mix of climbs, plateaus and descents, the journey is suited to touring bikes and e-bikes, with an e-bike offering a more relaxed way to experience the Jura.
ROUTE
From Basel, the route climbs into the Jura and follows the wooded La Lucelle valley towards the rolling landscapes of Ajoie. It then reaches medieval St-Ursanne on the Doubs before crossing the open Franches-Montagnes plateau, with its fir trees and grazing horses. The landscape changes again around La Chaux-de-Fonds, the UNESCO World Heritage watchmaking city, and the high moors of Les Ponts-des-Martel. From Val-de-Travers, the route continues towards Ste-Croix and Vallorbe, before reaching the Vallée de Joux and its clear mountain lake. The final section crosses the Parc Jura Vaudois and Col du Marchairuz, with views towards the Swiss plateau and Alps, before descending to Lake Geneva and Nyon.
The cycling experience reflects the varied topography of the Jura, with climbs and descents alternating between quieter valleys, plateaus and open countryside. The route is almost entirely on asphalt roads, making it suitable for touring bikes and racing bikes, while an e-bike is a practical option for a more leisurely pace. As a self-guided trip, it gives you the independence to ride at your own rhythm, supported by prepared route information, digital navigation and daily luggage transfers.
Itinerary
Day 1: Basel – Miécourt
51 km / 31 miles
You start riding on the first day and finish the tour riding on the sixth one. This is why we recommend you book extra nights, expecially if you are flying to Switzerland from a foreign country. See under Add On
Basel, famous for the art bienale, is one of the largest cities in Switzerland. It has a charming old town at the same time as it enjoys a very metropolitan flair.
With the buzz of Basel still present, you climb the first heights of the Jura, find peace and quiet along the wooded Swiss-French border river La Lucelle, and slowly immerse yourself in the rolling hills of the Ajoie.
Day 2: Miécourt – Saignelégier
44 km/27 miles
The medieval town of St. Ursanne awaits you at the next Jura chain on the picturesque Jura river Doubs. Another sweaty ascent to the Franches Montagnes plateau is following with a vast, tranquil landscape, fir trees, grazing cows and horses.
Day 3: Saignelégier – Travers/Couvet
71 km/44 miles
At the beginning, the picturesque Etang de la Gruère nature reserve and views of the snow-white peaks of the Mont-Soleil await you. . The lively metropolis of timekeeping is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here through the high moor Les Ponts-des-Martel to Travers or Couvet.
Day 4: Travers/Couvet – Ste-Croix
28 km/17 miles
You continue your ride along the trail of the Green Fairy through the Val-de-Travers. Ste-Croix and L’Auberson are well known for their beautiful jukeboxes, music boxes and artificial puppeteers.
Day 5: Ste-Croix – Vallée de Joux
48 km/30 miles
The TGV sways over its tracks in the plain of Vallorbe. You climb up on Dent de Vaulion and reach Vallée de Joux. In this high valley the cool and clear Lac de Joux awaits you.
Day 6: Vallée de Joux – Nyon
43 km/27 miles
Up to Col du Marchairuz. Here you will find hundreds of ant hills and artistically placed stone walls in the tranquil Parc Jura Vaudois. Finally, you can relax and easily roll down into the serenity of Lac Léman.
Return journey or extend your stay. Additional nights can be organized on request.
Getting to Basel (Departure Point)
You can reach Basel by plane or train easily.
By car: Parking in Basel is very expensive! Details here. Cheaper alternative: Parking at the Airport Basel-Mulhouse with direct bus connection to the Basel SBB train station, approx. 30 min
Return journey
By train from Nyon to Basel, approx. 2¾h, Swiss railways
How to book this tour
We require a 25% deposit per person for the trip upon reservation. Final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.
Included
- 5 nights in hotel including breakfast
- Breakfast every morning
- Daily luggage transfer
- Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival and departure)
- Subsidy for arrival by train
10 CHF Swiss Federal Railways voucher per participant - Entrance to the watch museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds
- Carefully prepared route description
- Digital travel documents and navigation app and GPS data
- One-year SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription
- Service hotline
Not Included
- Individual travel to departure point
- Bicycle or E-bike rental
- Local tourist tax (where applicable)
- Meals and drinks not mentioned as included
- Reservation fee
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included is not included
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Prices are per person in a double room in 2027
Departures: Daily from 20 March to 17 October
Season 1
20 Mar–23 Apr | 25 Sep–17 Oct
From
1109 CHF
Options & Supplements
✓
+325CHF Single supplement
Season 2
24 Apr–24 Sep
From
1165CHF
Options & Supplements
✓
+325CHF Single supplement
Reservation fee: 20 CHF per adult
Accommodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
Your Accommodation
Selected middle-class hotels
Stay in selected middle-class hotels along the Jura Route, with a simple B&B in Travers.
Breakfast is included as you cycle from Basel through the Swiss Jura to Nyon and Lake Geneva.
Additional nights
Prices per person, including breakfast
Basel
Double Room 85 CHF
Single room +55 CHF
Nyon
Double Room 85 CHF
Single room +55 CHF
Any questions + info
Please get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to help!
BIKES
You can choose to rent a bicycle. Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.
Touring Bike
159 CHF
e-Bike
289 CHF