Chemin de Bellelay

The hike begins in Bellelay. Across wooded pastures, typical of the Bernese Jura, you reach the hamlet of Moron. The view extends over the stunning landscape of wooded pastures with its pine forests and meadows lined up like a mosaic. Again and again, curious cows are waiting right next to the trail. Shortly afterwards, you enter the forest. The shady forest path winds slightly downhill towards Sornetan. In places, the forest opens up to reveal the wooded, hilly countryside.

A little later, you reach Sornetan. The village lies at an altitude of 843 metres on a promontory on the northern slope of the Moron range. A visit to the Reformed parish church dating from 1708 is well worth it. Thanks to its valuable interior decoration with hand-carved choir stalls and a richly decorated pulpit, it is one of the most beautiful churches in the Bernese Jura. Once in the village centre, you can enjoy the charm of the well-preserved farmhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

From Sornetan, the path descends gently to Pichoux. Approaching the rushing water, you reach the gate of the impressive Gorges de Pichoux. In the gorge created by the Sorne, there are many springs with water gushing out from between the limestone rocks and flowing down, sometimes squeezed between almost vertical rock faces. After a steep climb from the banks of the Sorne, you reach the Semplain farmstead. Just a few metres from the farm, a barely traced path leads to the Semplain viewpoint, where, surprisingly, you will find yourself on top of a rocky outcrop. Here, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the entire Pichoux Gorge.

From the top of the Gorges du Pichoux, the route continues below the Droit Mont ridge, passing small farms scattered among lovely meadows. A final climb leads through the Forêt de Béroie to Bellelay, the birthplace of Tête de Moine AOP. If you'd like to learn more about the famous cheese's history and production traditions, visit the Maison de la Tête de Moine. The museum, with its show dairy and cheese cellar, invites you to travel back in time and provides a delightful experience for the taste buds.