Bonfol to Porrentruy in the Ajoie Region, Surrounded by France

Saturday March 21, 2026 -- We don't do this often anymore, traveling 3½ hours each way to do one of our hikes, especially in a "flat" area where the hike consists mainly of wide forest and farm trails, plus paved roads. But on this day, the best forecast was in the very north-west corner of Canton Jura (called the Ajoie) near the border with France, a region we don't often go to because, well, it takes too long to get there. But as we haven't done any really long trips in the past weeks, we figured it would be alright to spend a whole day on the road and on the trails....

We traveled to Bonfol village, the final station of the railway line from Delémont to the French border. (French is spoken in this part of Switzerland). Our main interest was a landscape of small lakes (called "étangs") between there and the village of Vendlincourt, where we had ended a previous hike in that region in May 2022 (a very hot day and a rather boring walk along the French border). After a walk through this typical Jura village, we continued on toward Porrentruy (the locals pronounce it "Pruntrut") along a regional themed trail called "Le Chemin du Jura", mostly through the forest. My favourite part of the walk was a winding path bordered with very many hand-carved wooden sculptures of typical animals you can find in the woods here. 

For a change, this walk wasn't all about the churches!

After traveling for 3½ hours via Biel, Delémont and Porrentruy, we reached the start of our hike in the village of Bonfol in the furthest Northwest corner of the country (very near the border with France) at just after 11 a.m. 

We are spotting lots of storks lately! One flew by overhead, but this one perched at the top of the tree is neat! 

Walking down the main road toward the ponds.

Spring is here now, with the willows bursting in pale yellow-green leaves!

This was a very long walk, 14 km (3½ hours), and fairly level, without a lot of uphill and quite a bit on paved or wider roads, which makes me very tired! We started at 11:10 in Bonfol, and caught the 16:10 train back home in Porrentruy (getting there at 15:55). Still it is interesting to know that you are walking so close to the French border, something we don't often do. We walked mostly along the Regional Trail no.31: "Chemin du Jura". 

This is the first lake along the trail, it is called the "Étang du Milieu" ("Lake in the Middle"). Officially, the trail heads south along the west side of the lake here, but we changed plans and walked around the lake instead, along a really nice small path. 

Reflections of the leaf-less trees on the water look really neat this morning. 

There are several little lakes here. This one is called "Petit étang"

More really lovely reflections. 

Now we are at the east end of the "Étang du Milieu" looking across the lake to where we started. Where we are right now is a land bridge between two lakes.... 

Between the two lakes looking west across the "Étang du Milieu"....

Between the two lakes looking east. This other lake is called "Le Neuf Etang". 

We then headed south to another set of lakes called "Étangs Rougeats". 

Enjoying the nice weather and the peaceful views. 

Walking around the second set of lakes, we spotted two interesting-looking geese. They are called Egyptian Geese, which apparently are not really geese, but a cross between ducks and geese. This bird has only been in Switzerland since 2003.

It looks pretty even though it's not really green yet. 

After a long section through open fields, we reached the next and final lake which we were passing on this day. It is called the "Étang de Vendlincourt", near the town of Vendlincourt.  

As it was now 12:45, it was a good time to stop for our picnic lunch break. We didn't stay long, as it was quite cool in the shade. 

Continuing on now, we join the Regional Trail no.31 called "Chemin du Jura", which we had walked along on a hike back in May of 2022, when we ended that hike here in Vendlicourt. Back then, this house had a sign on it that read "Customs House", but at this time there was a "For Rent" sign on the house. 

We are now joining the Regional Themed Trail no.31, the second part of Stage 2 (The first part, from Lucelle to Vendlincourt we did in May 2022). We didn't stop to visit Porrentruy this time, as we had a good look at the city on our July 2016 hike to St.Ursanne. 

Crossing the railway line into Vendlincourt. On our May 2022 hike, we didn't go into the village, we ended the hike here nearby at the Vendlincourt train station. 

It's lovely to see the blossoming trees now!

We did see this pretty house last time we were here... but now it is for sale, with a large piece of land and a garage... There is a lot for sale in Canton Jura, as the taxes are high and income is low, so it is hard for people to live here in the remote areas. 

Walking up the main road in Vendlincourt. (We did leave the "Chemin du Jura" here for a bit, to discover the town. The trail heads through the forest parallel to the village). 

Typical farm buildings for this region. 

I was happy to see a large magnolia tree in full bloom. 

Beautiful magnolia tree. 

More typical houses of the Jura Region. 

This is the town's schoolhouse. We are headed to the church at the back. 

Heading toward the town church in Vendlincourt. 

In the Jura, it is rare to see cows in the pastures, but there are a lot of horses here. Still, it is not common to see a horse-drawn carriage rolling down a remote village street.... 

Another lovely blossoming tree. 

The little church in Vendlincourt. 

An unusual altar-piece. 

The stained-glass windows in the church were quite beautiful. 

Continuing on, we saw these many little bird houses. How cute that the cuckoo clocks are used as bird houses!

Looking back as we head out of Vendlincourt to rejoin the "Chemin du Jura" trail at the forest. 

Walking through open fields and heading to the forest. There were flags along the route here, and some research showed us that there was a dog race taking place about an hour later (it is called CaniCross). I'm glad we didn't get caught up in that!

My feet were very tired from this long level hike, so I was glad we found a bench here to rest on! 

The stretch through the forest was nicer than through the empty fields. 

Others enjoying a lovely walk in the sunshine in the forest. 

We then reached my favourite part of the walk: It was about a one-kilometer stretch on a narrow path featuring wooden carvings of forest animals. At the entrance is a sign that reads "La Foret vous accueille", i.e. "The forest welcomes you" and a nearby sign indicates that the forest in this region grows at a rate of 0.21 m3 per hour. 

Entering the lovely forest of Alle. (Alle is the nearest town and close to Porrentruy where we are ending our hike).  

The first sculpture is of a man and his dog!

Some of the several sculptures along the way!

A photo with the local forester!

Next to the forest are large fields, with a view to the southeast and to the Jura Range (which we usually see from the other side). Side note: The Ajoie region is known as "The Orchard of the Jura". 

We were surprised that the rapeseed are already starting to flower. Which means that pretty soon we should be able to enjoy some bright yellow fields!

Continuing on now on the lovely forest path.

More forest animals! No bears this time, though. 

Now out of the forest and on the last stretch down to the train station in Porrentruy. These trees, which look like apple trees, are already starting to get leaves. 

I'm glad we did get to see a few blossoming trees!

This is a close-up view of the castle in Porrentruy, which is on the opposite side of the train station. As the air is pretty hazy, and we are looking south, we can't see it clearly. But we did visit the city once before, when we started nearby in July 2016 and walked to the pretty town of St.Ursanne. 

Another look into the town of Porrentruy, where we are NOT headed! Straight to the train station from here, as it's a long trip home!

This is the train station in Porrentruy. We got here at 15:55 with plenty of time for the 16:10 train and the 3-hour & 20-minute trip home. 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps, starting in Bonfol at 11:10, and reaching Porrentruy at 15:55. i.e. we spent about five hours in the sunshine and fresh air. 

This map shows the border with France in this unusual extension of Switzerland in the far northeast. Back in 2016 we walked from near Porrentruy to St.Ursanne, and in 2022 we did a walk to Vendlincourt mostly right along the border. 

Location of Porrentruy within Switzerland. 

Sometimes I remember to keep track of the temperature and weather forecast. When we started in Bonfol at 11:10, it was 10 degrees. At 2:50 p.m. we were already past Vendlincourt in the forest, and it was 13.5 degrees. From then on it stayed about the same. (The amount of sunshine expected throughout the day changes by the hour, though!)