Jura Spectacular

From the shores of Lake Neuchatel to the snowy landscape of the Jura Mountains this trip is a journey of superlatives! On leaving Neuchatel the local Swiss Railway train started to climb towards the mountains almost straightaway, giving ever broader vistas of Lake Neuchatel, and more snow on the ground the higher it climbed.

At Chambrelien, the train reversed direction and then continued to climb heading towards the Jura transport hub of La Chaux de Fonds. From here trains head over the top of the mountains to Besancon in France and to various points throughout the Jura region. Having to change platforms for my connecting train, it struck me how easy Swiss stations are to use, as access to all platforms is via stairs as well as a slope, so if you are travelling with luggage, the stations are quite easy to use. I changed onto one of Switzerland’s many private railways, the narrow gauge railway of the Chemins de fer du Jura. The train left La Chaux de Fonds and runs along the main street through the town, which can be a little disconcerting as the train used its horn to ensure the way ahead is clear. The train then entered ski country with skiers getting on and off the train at every stop. This really is a classic Swiss fairytale route as the train passes through snow fields and in the distance you can see mist-shrouded snow-covered villages, pure magic. As the train pulled into Noirmont, there was a hive of activity as this is a connecting station for the train to Tavannes. The train continues through the snowy scenery to Combe-Tabeillon, where it reverses and then descends down to connect with Swiss railways at Glovelier. To book this journey as part of a Swiss holiday by train, call Railbookers on 020 3327 0800.