July 27, 2016

From Porrentruy to St. Ursanne near the Border to France

Well, technically we didn't actually start hiking in Porrentruy, a medieval town in an area of Switzerland called the Ajoie, which is a small piece of the country in the Northwest, surrounded on three sides by French "Territory.

We decided to cut the tour (originally 17 km) down by 3 km by taking the bus to a closer starting point, before going East over the mountain range (well.... actually they were hills) into the valley of the Doubs River. We used the time instead to visit the pretty town of Porrentruy and its castle, from where we got a view across the town toward the range we crossed. 

Unfortunately they are currently doing restoration work in the old town of St.Ursanne and so it has temporarily lost its quaintness, especially the beautiful arched bridge over the Doubs river which is currently shrouded in scaffolding.

The Doubs river makes a 180deg. bend here, as if unsure where to go, which is probably why the Romans named it thus. The Latin work "Dubitus" means "the hesitant, the doubting".

Chateau de Porrentruy

View over Porrentruy. We are heading over the hill way in the back

Town of Porrentruy

The hike consisted mainly of very lush forests and rolling meadows, and an easy 300m climb before descending to St.Ursanne on the Doubs River. 

 We took the bus from Porrentruy and started our hike in Villars sur Fontenais. It was still a good 14km.

Zoomed view of Porrentruy Castle from Villars sur Fontenais

Hiking from Villars toward the hills in direction of St. Ursanne
This was a good spot to stop for lunch!
This was called the "Vacherie du Mouillard", an organic dairy farm and B&B

At about the highest point of our hike: The Mouillard Organic Dairy Farm. 

Heading to the Pass called "Col de La Croix." Not very high as passes go. (789m)
At the "Col de la Croix" Pass, 789m
Heading down into the Doubs Valley toward St. Ursanne

Saint Urs

Arriving in St. Ursanne

St. Ursanne

The old Cathedral in St.Ursanne

Doubs River in St.Ursanne

Here at St.Ursanne the River Doubs makes a 180 deg. turn

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