Hiking
Au fil du Doubs
Stage 4, Soubey–St-Ursanne
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Au fil du Doubs
Stage 4, Soubey–St-Ursanne
Just before St. Ursanne, the Doubs makes a sharp 180-degree arc as it if were unsure where to go. Perhaps this radical change of direction is the reason why the Romans called the meandering river the Doubs. The word comes from the Latin dubitus, the hesitant, the doubting.
In Soubey, a farming village at the bottom of the valley, you start the stage at the river. The river landscape is very popular with fishermen and canoeists as well. At the start, follow the right bank of the Doubs on the wider paths to "Bief du Moulin". Of the three mills, only one has been preserved. You pass by farms with cow and horse pastures and cross the river after a little over an hour. Now the riverbank scenery changes: small trails lead through the enchanting landscape along the Doubs. Moss and ivy-covered trees, reed fields, lush meadows, secluded places to linger and the view of the natural course of the river accompany the hiker. The Doubs usually flows sluggishly, only occasionally you can hear the sound of rapids.
After a little more than two hours, you will see the restaurant Tariche with its camping site on the opposite side of the river. Here you can cross the Doubs on a barge under your own power using a cable winch. One of the rarest fish species is found here: the apron, also called the King of the Doubs. A little later on, the path is replaced by an agricultural road. Soon a big hole in the mountain can be seen from far away: it is the old lime mine of St. Ursanne. At the end of the 1990s, it was believed that a solution for toxic waste had been found here, and the storage of hazardous waste began, although water was flowing through the mine. After many protests and proof of drinking water pollution, the landfill was closed.
When you reach the bridge under the hole shortly afterwards, the Doubs makes another 180-degree turn - as if it didn't know where to go. The radical change of direction may also be the reason why the Romans once called the meandering river Doubs. The word comes from the Latin "dubitus", the hesitant, doubting. St. Ursanne, also called the pearl of the Jura, is however undoubtedly beautiful. Numerous art galleries and antiquarian shops line the streets of this medieval town. You enter it on a bridge built in 1728, which then leads you directly to the end of the last stage of the Doubs hiking tour.
After a little more than two hours, you will see the restaurant Tariche with its camping site on the opposite side of the river. Here you can cross the Doubs on a barge under your own power using a cable winch. One of the rarest fish species is found here: the apron, also called the King of the Doubs. A little later on, the path is replaced by an agricultural road. Soon a big hole in the mountain can be seen from far away: it is the old lime mine of St. Ursanne. At the end of the 1990s, it was believed that a solution for toxic waste had been found here, and the storage of hazardous waste began, although water was flowing through the mine. After many protests and proof of drinking water pollution, the landfill was closed.
When you reach the bridge under the hole shortly afterwards, the Doubs makes another 180-degree turn - as if it didn't know where to go. The radical change of direction may also be the reason why the Romans once called the meandering river Doubs. The word comes from the Latin "dubitus", the hesitant, doubting. St. Ursanne, also called the pearl of the Jura, is however undoubtedly beautiful. Numerous art galleries and antiquarian shops line the streets of this medieval town. You enter it on a bridge built in 1728, which then leads you directly to the end of the last stage of the Doubs hiking tour.
Just before St. Ursanne, the Doubs makes a sharp 180-degree arc as it if were unsure where to go. Perhaps this radical change of direction is the reason why the Romans called the meandering river the Doubs. The word comes from the Latin dubitus, the hesitant, the doubting.
In Soubey, a farming village at the bottom of the valley, you start the stage at the river. The river landscape is very popular with fishermen and canoeists as well. At the start, follow the right bank of the Doubs on the wider paths to "Bief du Moulin". Of the three mills, only one has been preserved. You pass by farms with cow and horse pastures and cross the river after a little over an hour. Now the riverbank scenery changes: small trails lead through the enchanting landscape along the Doubs. Moss and ivy-covered trees, reed fields, lush meadows, secluded places to linger and the view of the natural course of the river accompany the hiker. The Doubs usually flows sluggishly, only occasionally you can hear the sound of rapids.
After a little more than two hours, you will see the restaurant Tariche with its camping site on the opposite side of the river. Here you can cross the Doubs on a barge under your own power using a cable winch. One of the rarest fish species is found here: the apron, also called the King of the Doubs. A little later on, the path is replaced by an agricultural road. Soon a big hole in the mountain can be seen from far away: it is the old lime mine of St. Ursanne. At the end of the 1990s, it was believed that a solution for toxic waste had been found here, and the storage of hazardous waste began, although water was flowing through the mine. After many protests and proof of drinking water pollution, the landfill was closed.
When you reach the bridge under the hole shortly afterwards, the Doubs makes another 180-degree turn - as if it didn't know where to go. The radical change of direction may also be the reason why the Romans once called the meandering river Doubs. The word comes from the Latin "dubitus", the hesitant, doubting. St. Ursanne, also called the pearl of the Jura, is however undoubtedly beautiful. Numerous art galleries and antiquarian shops line the streets of this medieval town. You enter it on a bridge built in 1728, which then leads you directly to the end of the last stage of the Doubs hiking tour.
After a little more than two hours, you will see the restaurant Tariche with its camping site on the opposite side of the river. Here you can cross the Doubs on a barge under your own power using a cable winch. One of the rarest fish species is found here: the apron, also called the King of the Doubs. A little later on, the path is replaced by an agricultural road. Soon a big hole in the mountain can be seen from far away: it is the old lime mine of St. Ursanne. At the end of the 1990s, it was believed that a solution for toxic waste had been found here, and the storage of hazardous waste began, although water was flowing through the mine. After many protests and proof of drinking water pollution, the landfill was closed.
When you reach the bridge under the hole shortly afterwards, the Doubs makes another 180-degree turn - as if it didn't know where to go. The radical change of direction may also be the reason why the Romans once called the meandering river Doubs. The word comes from the Latin "dubitus", the hesitant, doubting. St. Ursanne, also called the pearl of the Jura, is however undoubtedly beautiful. Numerous art galleries and antiquarian shops line the streets of this medieval town. You enter it on a bridge built in 1728, which then leads you directly to the end of the last stage of the Doubs hiking tour.
Length
15 km
Ascent | Descent
220 m | 260 m
Hiking time
3 h 50 min
Grade | Fitness level
easy
(hiking trail)
|
easy
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Signpost management
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the canton.
Jura Rando
2800 Delémont
info@jurarando.ch
www.jurarando.ch
