Switzerland is a hiker’s paradise. Its breathtaking scenery, pristine trails, and diverse landscapes lure hikers from around the world. While most visitors flock to more well-known destinations such as Zermatt, there are several lesser-known trails that are just as beautiful, if not more so. And one of those is The 66 du Doubs. This stunning three to four-day trek winds through the Doubs Natural Regional Park in Switzerland’s magnificent Jura region. Here you find unspoiled landscapes, warm-hearted locals, and tranquility that can’t be found elsewhere.
Unfortunately, before I set out on my adventure, I found little to no information about The 66 du Doubs. So, I’ve put together a complete list of everything you need to know about this epic hike to help you plan your trip.
Table of Contents
- What is The 66 du Doubs?
- Practical Information
- 4-Day Hiking Itinerary for The 66 du Doubs
- Packing List
- Tips for Hiking The 66 du Doubs
- Hiking The 66 du Doubs Video
What is The 66 du Doubs?
The 66 du Doubs is a three to four-day circular trek that begins and ends in Saint Ursanne, Switzerland. Over the course of this hike, you’ll pass villages with less than fifty inhabitants, farmlands brimming with life, and lush green forests. It’s a chance to take a break from the constant hustle and bustle of modern life and breathe crisp clean air that is void of car exhaust. Since Jura is a relatively remote region in northwestern Switzerland, few tourists ever make it this way. So, if you’re looking for solitude, this is the hike for you!
Practical Information
Location: The hike starts and ends in Saint Ursanne, which is one hour from Basel (by train). For train times, click here.
Distance: 66 kilometers (41 miles)
Time: 4 days
Signage: The photo above is the signage that is used for the entirety of the trek. If you get lost, always look for this sign.
Terrain: You’ll walk along small roads, dirt paths, and some rocky sections. But overall, the path is well-trodden and labeled. There are almost no switchbacks, so ascent and descents are steep.
Elevation: Lowest point – 423 meters (1387 ft.), Highest point – 929 meters (3047 ft.).
Accommodation: There are huts along the way, but most require reservations weeks in advance. There are, however, several well-equipped campsites, making camping the best option.
Resupply points: There are only two resupply points: Saint Ursanne and Soubey. Note that the grocery store in Soubey has strict opening times: Sunday: 9:00-12:00; Monday: 8:30-12:00; Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday: 8:30-12:00 and 15:00-18:00; Thursday: Closed.
Water: The following towns have free drinkable water available: Saint Ursanne, Ocourt, Soubey, Epauvillers, and Montmelon Dessus. (Look for a large fountain near the town center.)
When to Go: The best time to hike the 66 du Doubs is spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October). During these times, temperatures are mild and the trail is empty.
4-Day Hiking Itinerary for The 66 du Doubs
Day 1: Saint Ursanne to Ocourt
Villages between Saint Ursanne and Ocourt:
- Sur La Croix
- Grands Prés
- Seleute
- Valbert
- Montvoi
- La Combe
- La Motte (Caution: The 66 du Doubs sign at La Motte is easy to miss.)
Villages with Drinkable Water: Saint Ursanne and Ocourt
Distance: 11.1 kilometers (6.8 miles)
Estimated Time: 5 hours
Campsite Location: Moulin du Doubs – A 15-minute walk from Ocourt’s town center (15 CHF per person). They have hot showers (1 CHF for 5 minutes.).
Day 2: Ocourt to Soubey
Villages between Ocourt and Soubey:
- Montpalais
- Eqipuerez
- Le Chaufour
- Pâture d’Amont
- Lobchez
- Pt. (Pt. is not a town. It’s the summit of a small hill that you will need to cross before reaching Soubey.)
Villages with Drinkable Water: Ocourt and Soubey
Distance: 23.8 kilometers (14.7 miles)
Estimated Time: 4.5 hours
Campsite Location: Bout du Pont across the street from Hotel du Cerf in Soubey (15 CHF per person). They have hot showers (1 CHF for 5 minutes.).
**If you prefer to hike The 66 du Doubs in three days, instead of four, you can combine the first and second day.
Day 3: Soubey to Pont de Ravines
Villages between Soubey and Pont de Ravines:
- Le Champois
- La Réchesse
- Chervillers
- Epauvillers
- Montenol
- La Planche
- Ravines
Villages with Drinkable Water: Soubey and Epauvillers (Pont de Ravines is next to the Doubs River. If you have a filter, you can drink the water.)
Distance: 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles)
Estimated Time: 4.5 hours
Campsite Location: Camping Club Porrentruy – A 15-minute walk from Pont de Ravines (15 CHF per person).
Day 4: Pont de Ravines to Saint Ursanne
Villages between Pont de Ravines and Saint Ursanne:
- Montmelon Dessus
- Chez Danville
- Chez Basuel
- Haut de la Montagne
- La Caquerelle
- Les Malettes
- Montremay
- Outremont
Villages with Drinkable Water: Montmelon Dessus
Distance: 16 kilometers (9.9 miles)
Estimated Time: 5.25 hours
Packing List
Check out my ultimate hiking gear checklist for the specifics on each item listed below.
Camping Gear
- Backpack (40-50 Liters)
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
Clothing
- Trail Runners
- Camp Shoes
- Quick-dry T-shirt (1)
- Hiking Shorts (1)
- Underwear (3 pairs)
- Sports Bra (1)
- Hiking Socks (3 pairs)
- Waterproof Jacket
- Hat with a Brim
Personal Hygiene Items
- Refillable Travel Bottles (shampoo, body wash, and face soap)
- Toilet Paper
- Sunscreen
- Extra Contacts and Contact Solution
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Hiking Gear
- First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, disinfectant, and pills (ibuprofen, anti-histamine, and anti-diarrhea))
- Water Filter
- Water Bladder/Bottle (3 Liters)
- Dry Bags
- Trekking Poles
- Microfiber Towel
- Head Lamp
- Multi-tool
- Extra Trash Bag
Electronics
- Phone (with maps.me downloaded)
- Camera Gear
- External Battery
Food
- Breakfast: protein bars (6)
- Lunch: packets of tuna (3), crackers, cheese
- Dinner: pre-made sandwiches (4)
- Snacks: trail mix of nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate
Tips for Hiking the 66 du Doubs
- Pack light. The trail has a lot of steep ascents and descents. Since you will be carrying all your camping gear and food, you should pack as light as possible.
- Maps can be purchased by emailing info@juratourisme.ch.
- Download SBB mobile. This is a mobile application for Swiss trains. They offer a number of discounted tickets that are not available at the station.
- The 66 du Doubs can be hiked in both directions.
- Download maps.me and mark all the main stops. There are a lot of different hikes in this area and it can sometimes be confusing.
- There is a large grocery store in Saint Ursanne. In case you need last-minute supplies.
- Always look for the 66 du Doubs logo. If you get lost, look for The 66 du Doubs sign. If you don’t see one, retrace your steps until you find the logo.
- Watch out for goats and cows. During the hike, you will walk through fields with roaming cattle. Sometimes they can be curious, and follow you for quite a while.
- Electric fences. You will have to cross areas that have electric fences. Look carefully for the handle before touching any cords.
- Bring cash. There are no ATMs and debit/credit cards are not accepted anywhere.
Travel Video! Hiking The 66 du Doubs in Switzerland
Read About My Other Hiking Adventures
I hope you found my post on how to hike The 66 du Doubs useful. Here are some of my other hiking adventures that you might find interesting.
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