best months to see the alpine meadows in their full beauty is between June and early August, when a range of colours scatter the hillsides, leaving scents of perfume lingering, which can be tasted in the local Alpage cheeses of the region.
Bladder campion; field scabious; yellow gentian; alpine pasqueflower (seeded); plume knapweed; greater masterwort
Some of the wildflowers characteristic of the Swiss Jura include:
Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea ), abundant in the Jura region and farmed and distilled in the Vallée de Joux to make a botanical liqueur drunk as a digestif
White hellebore (Veratum album ), a toxic plant that is a member of the lily family
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis ), a low-growing parasitic plant with white flowers, found in alpine pastures and grasslands
Monk’s-hood (Aconitum variegatum ), also known as wolf’s bane, a highly toxic plant with blue-violet flowers, found in mountainous terrain and rockier parts of the Jura
Field gentian (Gentianella campestris ), found in most alpine meadows, pastures and forest clearings throughout the Jura and identifiable by its four large blue-violet petals with a central corolla
Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum ), generally found high, on rocky outcrops or inaccessible areas
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia ), a hardy and tolerant singular blue-violet nodding flower that is a member of the campanula ‘bell’ family
Grass of parnassus (Parnassia palustris ), distinguished by its white flowers with distinctive clusters of yellow stamens at the centre of the five petals and translucent green stripes atop of long stems with dark green heart-shaped leaves
Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris ), a flower with a pink bladder-like bulge and white petals clumped together in five bunches; its leaves are used throughout the Mediterranean in various food dishes such as gazpacho and omelettes
Alpine pasqueflower (Pulsatilla alpine ), a toxic plant bearing white-yellow flowers early in the season and distinctive seed heads atop of hairy, textured stems later in the year
Field scabious (Knautia arvensis ), a tall, hairy flower with pink anthers consisting of four unequal petal lobes that attracts butterflies, bees and insects
Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris ), found on dry alpine pastures and identifiable by its clusters of spiky, brown-golden flower heads, not too unlike a thistle
Rosebay willow herb (Chamerion angustifolium ), a colonising plant also known as bombweed after it sprouted up in wasteland following World War I and World War II bombings throughout Europe
Greater masterwort (Astrantia major ), a member of the carrot family with a tall, hollow singular stem bearing an umbellifer head of flowers, that are very popular with butterflies
Plume knapweed (Centaurea uniflore ), easily recognisable by the straight stem covered with short rough hair and grey-green leaves of less than 1cm, and a pineapple bud under the thistle-like flowering head.
Protected areas
Throughout the Jura, there are a number of nature reserves and protected areas, identified by localised signage. These are in place to protect flowers and wildlife of the area, therefore should be respected. You should not pick any wildflowers, as they are unlikely to survive outside of their natural habitat. Some flowers, such as edelweiss, are protected throughout the Alps and could result in an offence being committed if you pick the flowers.
When to go
It is important to choose the right time to walk the Jura Crest Trail, as snow can fall as late as April, and as early as October, leaving the highest parts of the trail hidden. This, alongside the high winds that sometimes cross Lake Geneva, can cause the wind chill to drop significantly. Do remember that the Jura rises up to 1679m in height. It is a mountainous area, providing microclimates that could rapidly cause adverse weather conditions as seen in the Alps, even though it is considerably lower than most of the mountainous regions of Switzerland. Close to the southern end of the Jura, Mouthe, 10km inside the French border, is regarded as the ‘French Siberia’ because its temperature dropped to -41ºC in 1985. The underground glacier in Saint-George (Stage 13) remains frozen year round, demonstrating the extreme temperatures that can occur on the Jura.
The best time to hike the Jura Crest Trail is between the months of May and September but do be aware that some mountain buvettes and hotels may not open until June, and potentially close at the end of August. Alpine flowers, such as crocus and spring gentians, can be seen as early as April on the Jura, depending on the winter temperatures and late snowfall. Wildflowers carpet the hillsides throughout most of the walking season.
Sudden storms can occur during August, as happens in the Alps, because of the moisture, the ground temperature and rapid rise of warm air, as well as microclimate developments such as weather movement across Lake Geneva. Also be aware that the temperature drops significantly at night during the summer months, so be prepared with warm clothing and be sufficiently equipped.
The maritime-continental climate of the Jura, alongside the height of mountain summits, means that annual precipitation increases as you travel south-west, with Mount Tendre having up to 2030mm of rainfall a year. On average, more heavy rain falls during the summer than in any other season, which is due to increased humidity, temperatures and the afternoon storms that develop in the Alps. For example, the pass over the Vue des Alpes (Stage 7) sees the most precipitation in the months of June to September, with monthly average rainfall of up to 120mm.
View south from Dent de Vaulion (Stage 11)
Suggested itineraries
The route is described in 14 stages (2 weeks), averaging 22km per day. Quicker or more relaxed itineraries are possible and suggested 12, 16 and 21-day schedules are set out here. It is possible to walk the whole route in a slightly shorter timeframe of 12 days, or over a slightly longer period, which would allow for shorter daily stages, optional rest days and more time for sightseeing in places of interest. The suggestions below can be adapted to suit your own individual requirements. In the option taking 16 days, Stages 11 and 12 could be combined to add an additional rest day. In the option taking 21 days, shorter walking days at the start of the trek allow time to explore the historic spa town of Baden and picturesque Brugg.
The view towards Hauenstein is typical of the Jura landscape (Stage 2)
Shortening the trek
Not everyone tempted by the Jura Crest Trail will be able to complete 14 days of walking. Presented below are suggestions for two shorter trips and a fortnight break, combining highlights of the route with local sightseeing excursions.
Walk 1: Dielsdorf to Brugg (Stages 1 and 2 over a long weekend) – Both the start and end location of these stages (finishing in Brugg, not Ursprung) are within easy reach of Zurich international airport and regional train lines; with minimal travelling times, there is more time available to enjoy the first stages of the Jura Crest Trail, and explore the city sights of Baden and Brugg.
Walk 2: Le Pont to Nyon (Stages