The Jura is a range of mountains that extends along the Franco-Swiss border from the Rhône in the southwest near Lake Geneva to the Rhine by Basel in the northeast. Though lower than the more iconic summits to their south, the range’s rugged limestone peaks provide a refuge for a way of life that has all but disappeared from the Alps. Centuries-old villages lie hidden in valleys lined with forests and lakes and fast-running rivers. There are hundreds of remote roads and trails to explore.
The Chasseral, meanwhile, is a mountain-biking haven. From the red-and-white-striped tower at its summit, 1,607 metres above sea level, trails drop off in all directions, offering high-speed descents through forests and fields. The Chasseral is also a beautiful climb on the road bike and can be tackled from either Saint-Imier on its western flank or from Nods in the east. Both approaches rise steeply through the trees for about 11 kilometres before coming out onto the barren top, where winds can be fierce.
For a more in-depth look at the region, including a stunning catalogue of images, head on over to CyclingTips for the full article.
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Imagery courtesy of Tim Bardsley-Smith. Video Courtesy of My Media Sydney
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