Day hike: Nyon - St.Cergue

This day hike is part of the multi-day long distance Chemin des Crêtes du Jura path previously mentioned for the day hikes from Vallorbe - Le Pont and Col du Marchairuz - St. Cergue. The suggested route is the other way round to allow for less uphill. But as i live in Nyon and was starting off late I decided just to head straight up the hill - only if it was so easy.

The first section from Nyon to Abbaye de Bonmont is along tarmaced farm tracks and country lanes passing through the small farming villages of Arnex-sur-Nyon and Borex, both with long histories that are now submerged by a growth of standard new apartment blocks that is in the process of smothering the old village centres.Despite this growth, farmers still put up road-side stalls where they sell produce on-trust, such as this stall.....

With a blazing sun on my back and no views to speak off apart from the forested Jura range in front with the 'golf balls' of La Dôle marking the the high point of todays' walk).

From just below the Abbaye the path enters a cool mixed Oak forests. It is steep going from here along narrow paths. The route does from time to time make use of the tarmac road winding up the hill to La Barillette - here it is a relief to be walking on tarmac as the gradient is gentler.

La Bauloz was the first rest place as it had water, tables and benches. In the summer months the Chalet de la Dôle is also open for food and drinks. From there it is not far to the high point which on the day visited seemed to be full of people. The walk down from there to Nyon is relatively straight forward.

This is about 8.5 hour walk with rest breaks along the way. There are hourly trains from St.Cergue back down to Nyon from where one can catch main line trains to Geneva or eastwards via Lausanne.

If you want to do the walk starting from St. Cergue or get hold of a printable map visit this site.

View Chemin des Crêtes du Jura: Nyon - St.Cergue in a larger map