Hiking in Val-de-Travers
Discover the cultural treasures of the Val-de-Travers on diverse hiking routes.
The well-maintained hiking trails in Val-de-Travers offer ideal hiking opportunities for all levels of ability. If you are looking to discover new gorges, you can choose the Poëta Raisse walk or you can hike along the Areuse gorge. People who wish to experience an extraordinary natural spectacle can walk on the Creux du Van. And if you are an absinthe lover, you can hike from Môtiers to Couvet with a stop in the Gaudentia Persoz absinthe distillery.
The start and finish points of the respective hiking routes can be easily reached by public transport.
Hiking routes
Hiking route 1: Môtiers - Cascade - Plat de Riau - Couvet
The route starts at the Môtiers NE train station, leads past the Absinth House and ends at the train station in Couvet. Along the way you will find the Poëta Raisse gorge entrance (covered picnic area and a climbing area), the Môtiers waterfall and the Plat de Riau pasture (also a covered picnic area and a fire pit). The route is generally marked in yellow for pedestrians, except for the return route from Plat de Riau to Couvet. In this case, follow the Ruisseau de Riau down the mountain and keep to the right (good mountain path). Before a short passage through a rock, head above the trail on a small, narrow path to the viewpoint (no signs). Then walk back a bit and cross the rock passage until you reach the edge of the forest. Then bend off to the right and follow a small asphalt road slightly uphill. After the Ferme de la Sagneule, carry on along the almost level white road with a splendid panoramic view of the centre of Val-de-Travers. After the first house, follow the asphalt road downhill to the village of Couvet. After five minutes of walking by the side of the road in the village, you will reach the railway line. To the right is the absinthe distillery Gaudentia Persoz, where you can stop for a tasting. Behind the distillery is the Couvet train station.
Accessible | May to October |
Hiking trail | Môtiers–Entrée des Gorges-Cascade–Plat de Riau–Prise Féquenet–Couvet |
Distance | 5 km |
Hiking time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Elevation difference | 180 m |
Degree of difficulty | easy |
Hiking route 2: Môtiers - Georges de la Poëta-Raisse - La Robella - Buttes
Accessible | May to October |
Hiking trail | Môtiers–Gorges de la Poëta-Raisse–La Robella–Buttes |
Distance | 15 km |
Hiking time | 4 hours 30 minutes |
Elevation difference | 735 m |
Degree of difficulty | difficult |
Hiking route 3: Noiraigue - Areuse gorge - Boudry
Accessible | all year round |
Hiking trail | Noiraigue–Areuse gorge–Boudry |
Distance | 11 km |
Hiking time | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Elevation difference | 340 m |
Degree of difficulty | medium |
Hiking route 4: Noiraigue - Creux du Van
Accessible | May to October |
Hiking trail | Noiraigue–Creux du Van |
Distance | 14 km |
Hiking time | 4 hours 30 minutes |
Elevation difference | 780 m |
Degree of difficulty | difficult |
Food and drink
There are various picnic sites situated throughout the valley. If you would like to eat in a restaurant, here are a few recommendations:
BLS suggestion
If you prefer travelling by bike or e-bike, various routes can also be completed by bicycle. An e-bike can be picked up at Noiraigue train station.
How to get there
Location
Contact
- Destination Val-de-Travers
- +41 32 864 90 66
- Val-de-Travers www.myvaldetravers.ch