Wild gorge and majestic arena

Through the Areuse Gorge to the Creux du Van

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Wild gorge and majestic arena

Tour description

The Creux du Van has become a tourist hotspot in the Neuchâtel Jura. The spectacular rock arena attracts influencers from all over the world, who take daring selfies on the precipice and share them virally...

But in spring, it's still quiet here, the ibex colony has the area to itself. And in high fog, the scenery is even more dramatic than in summer light. But let's start one day at a time. On the first day, we hike from Boudry through the wild Areuse Gorge. The path has been blasted into the rock faces in places, but is well secured. We cross the famous stone bridge in the middle of the gorge and reach the l'Auberge de Noiraigue after 4 hours.

On Sunday, we set off early and hike clockwise towards Creux du Van. We first reach the basin below the rock arena and pass the Fontaine froide. This spring gushes cold water at 4 degrees in summer and winter: refreshment guaranteed. From here, we climb steadily and circle the entire Creux du Van ridge. Finally, the steep descent down to Noiraigue station awaits us.

The Gorges de l'Areuse is considered one of the most beautiful gorge hikes in Switzerland, and the Creux du Van is world-famous.

27.04.2024 – 28.04.2024

Length and duration
Day 1: 11km | ︎ 390 hm | ↘︎ 110 hm | 3:30 h
Day 2: 14km | ︎ 770 hm | ↘︎ 770 hm | 5 h

Difficulty
Easy mountain hiking T2

Equipment
Packing list will be sent after payment

Costs
In a 2-bed room CHF 298.- per person or 270.- in the dormitory, incl. breakfast. Payment by QR-Code or TWINT within ten day after registration

Not included
Meals from the backpack, dinner, travel to and from the hostel

Arrival
Better by public transport, as start and end points are not identical.

Meeting point
Zurich HB at 08:20 at the meeting point. Departure train 08:30 on platform 18
or 10:30 at Boudry station

End
Noiraigue from 15:53, arrival Zurich HB at 18:00

Registration deadline
Until wednesday, 24 April 2024

Hiking guide

Markus Unterfinger
Phone: 076 419 21 10
markus@wanderidee.ch

Register online

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