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The summit of Tête de Ran under snow, with frosted fir trees and snowshoe tracks in fresh snow.

On snowshoes · Winter

The Jura on snowshoes

Five quiet winter days, inn to inn: the Chasseron above the sea of fog, then the ridges of Tête de Ran. Snowshoes provided, no experience needed.

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Above the sea of fog, the winter sun; below, the lowlands lost in grey.

Winter in the Jura is gentle and full of light: spruce forests heavy with snow, white pastures as far as the eye can see and, often, a sea of fog blanketing the Swiss Plateau while the ridges stay in the sunshine. On the horizon, the Alps stand out sharp and clear.

In Switzerland, snowshoe trails are waymarked in pink and packed in places: you won't get lost, and you don't need any experience. You stay in two mountain inns, two nights at each, and the partner takes care of the transfers. Above all, the Jura on snowshoes is a chance to share a fondue after a day in the fresh air.

The programme

Three days in the snow

Indicative programme: the partner adapts each outing to the snow and the weather. The routes shown are the summer trails; in winter you follow the waymarked snowshoe routes, which run very close by.

Day 1 · Geneva · Les Rasses

Arrival via Geneva

In winter, you arrive via Geneva Airport, or by train to Sainte-Croix. A private transfer takes you to Les Rasses, above Sainte-Croix in the Vaud Jura (about 1¼ hours). Settle into the inn, and try out your snowshoes around the village if you feel like it.

  • Private transfer ≈ 1 h 15 min
  • Inn at Les Rasses

Day 2 · Les Rasses · Le Chasseron

The Chasseron in the snow

A steady climb through the forest, then over snow-covered pastures to the summit of the Chasseron (1,607 m). On a clear day, the view stretches from the sea of fog all the way to Mont Blanc. You return to the inn through another combe (as the Jura calls its small valleys), for a well-earned hot chocolate.

  • 8.7 km · +430 m · −430 m
  • ≈ 4 h walking
  • Inn at Les Rasses

Day 3 · Les Rasses · La Vue des Alpes · Tête de Ran

A change of scenery

Transfer to the Neuchâtel Jura and the Vue des Alpes pass (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, a short, easy loop towards Tête de Ran, through frost-covered fir trees. Night at the inn, facing the Alps.

  • 6 km · +230 m · −230 m
  • ≈ 2 h 30 min walking
  • Transfer ≈ 1 h
  • Inn at La Vue des Alpes

Day 4 · Tête de Ran · Mont Racine

Along the ridge to Mont Racine

The finest day: you follow the snowy ridge from Tête de Ran to Mont Racine (1,439 m), with Lake Neuchâtel on one side and the valleys of the high Jura on the other. The partner picks you up at the end of the walk and drives you back to the inn.

  • 9.6 km · +330 m · −260 m
  • ≈ 4 h walking
  • Inn at La Vue des Alpes

Day 5 · La Vue des Alpes · Geneva

Back to Geneva

Transfer to Geneva Airport for your journey home (about 1¾ hours), or to the station if you are staying on in Switzerland.

  • Private transfer ≈ 1 h 45 min
The full moon rises behind the snow-covered Chasseral, in a pink twilight sky.

Evenings at the inn

In the evening, it's fondue.

Neuchâtel fondue made with Gruyère and white wine, croûte au fromage, mulled wine: the Jura's winter cooking, by the warmth of the stove.

The route

From the Chasseron to Tête de Ran

Map of the route: arrival via Geneva, to the south-west, transfer to Les Rasses, an outing to the Chasseron, then a transfer via Neuchâtel to La Vue des Alpes, from where you snowshoe to Tête de Ran and Mont Racine.Lac de Neuchâtelvers GenèveLe ChasseronTête de RanMont RacineNeuchâtel1Les Rasses3La Vue des AlpesN
On snowshoes (indicative route)Transfers from and to GenevaIndicative route
  1. 01Arrival via GenevaPrivate transfer ≈ 1 h 15 min
  2. 02The Chasseron in the snow8.7 km · +430 m · −430 m
  3. 03A change of scenery6 km · +230 m · −230 m
  4. 04Along the ridge to Mont Racine9.6 km · +330 m · −260 m
  5. 05Back to GenevaPrivate transfer ≈ 1 h 45 min
Download the GPX track
Profile of the three outings1000 – 1800 m

What's planned

Included and not included

Included

  • 4 nights in mountain inns, double room
  • Breakfast and dinner (half board)
  • Snowshoes and poles provided
  • Private transfers from and to Geneva Airport, and between the two inns
  • Route book in English, maps and GPX track
  • Telephone assistance in English during your stay

Not included

  • Travel to Switzerland (flight or train)
  • Lunch
  • Drinks
  • Travel insurance (cancellation, medical care, repatriation)

Practical details

Departures
Start on the date of your choice, from mid-December to mid-March, depending on the snow. You arrive via Geneva or Zurich Airport, or directly by train.
Transfers
Private transfer from Geneva Airport (≈ 1 h 15 min), included on arrival and departure. You can also arrive via Zurich Airport: we will give you the train connections.
Accommodation
Two mountain inns, double rooms, warm and comfortable, with local cooking. Bring warm clothes and winter boots: everything else is provided.
A rocky ridge rises above a hollow of pastures and a red-roofed mountain farm restaurant, near the Chasseral.

Our partners on the ground

Professionals who know the terrain

Travel agencies based in Switzerland

Rando en Suisse works with travel agencies based in Switzerland, chosen for their reliability and their knowledge of the Jura. On the ground, they take care of everything: booking the hotels and inns, transporting your luggage, transfers from the airport and assistance during your walk. The agency sells you the trip and signs the contract with you; you are told which agency it is with your quote. Rando en Suisse advises you, answers your questions and remains your point of contact, from your first enquiry until departure.

Quote request

Let's talk about your trip

We reply in English or French, by email or by phone, with no obligation.

Message us on WhatsAppCall +41 78 600 37 36

This trip is organised and sold by a travel agency based in Switzerland, a partner of Rando en Suisse. Rando en Suisse provides information and puts you in touch with the agency; Rando en Suisse does not sell any trips.