Hiking the Trans Swiss Trail – Stage 3 Soubey to Saignelégier

Continuing our hike-though of the Trans Swiss Trail this past weekend, we completed stage 3, Soubey to Saignelégier. At 12 km, this stage was a relatively short hike, but with an 800 m gain in altitude, it was not an easy hike. And unfortunately, I can’t say that all that gain in altitude translated into great views. (The Trans Swiss trail has 32 stages, and so, I suppose, they can’t all be amazing.) Despite that, stage 3 still made for a nice day out. And it made for a very good work-out. If you plan to do a hike-through of the Trans Swiss trail or if you are just curious, this post shows what stage 3 was like.

Detail Summary

Where:	Soubey to Saignelégier Canton Jura, Switzerland
Train/Bus:	Zürich HB -> Soubey, Village – 2 hrs 58 min Note: Limited bus service to Soubey. Check schedule carefully before heading out. Saignelégier -> Zürich HB – 2 hrs 41 min
What:	Trans Swiss Trail – Stage 3 Soubey to Saignelégier Yellow trail markers – Trans Swiss Trail Route 2
Skill:	Medium – About 4 hrs Length 12 km, Ascent 800 m, Descent 280 m

Additional Information

Trans Swiss Trail – Stage 3 Soubey to Saignelégier
Trail Map

Photo Stories for All Stages

Stage 1 – Porrentruy to St-Ursanne
Stage 2 – St-Ursanne to Soubey
Stage 3 – Soubey to Saignelégier
Stage 4 – Saignelégier to St-Imier
Stage 5 – St-Imier to Chézard-St-Martin
Stage 6 – Chézard-St-Martin to Neuchâtel
Stage 7 – Neuchâtel to Murten
Stage 8 – Murten to Laupen
Stage 9 – Laupen to Bern
Stage 10 – Bern to Worb
Stage 11 – Worb to Lützelflüh
Stage 12 – Lützelflüh to Langnau i.E.
Stage 13 – Langnau i.E. to Eggiwil
Stage 14 – Eggiwil to Schangnau
Stage 15 – Schangnau to Sörenberg
Stage 16 – Sörenberg to Giswil
Stage 17 – Giswil to Flüeli-Ranft
Stage18 – Flüeli-Ranft to Stans
Stage 19 – Stans to Seelisberg
Stage 20 – Seelisberg to Erstfeld
Stage 21 – Erstfeld to Wassen
Stage 22 – Wassen to Andermatt
Stage 23 – Andermatt to Passo del San Gottardo
Stage 24 – Passo del San Gottardo to Airolo
Stage 25 – Airolo to Osco
Stage 26 – Osco to Anzonico
Stage 27 – Anzonico to Biasca
Stage 28 – Biasca to Bellinzona
Stage 29 – Bellinzona to Tesserete
Stage 30 – Tesserete to Lugano (Comano)
Stage 31 – Lugano (Paradiso) to Morcote
Stage 32 – Morcote to Mendriso

Getting There

The Trans Swiss Trail is best done with public transportation as each stage starts and ends at different points. Stage 3 starts at Soubey, Village. After getting off the bus, we crossed the bridge and we were right back where we were when we left stage 2.

The Trail – Along the River

The first part of the trail follows along the river, but then quickly takes a detour into the forest and over a hill. This detour away from the river gave us a nice view of some of the rock formations from above, and soon enough we were back down by the river side.

The trail then continued along the river side, passing through a small village and though fields and forest. This part of the trail was very pleasant, easy, walking.

The Trail – From the River up to Saignelégier

Just past the buildings in the first picture, the trail leaves the river behind and begins the steep climb up towards Saignelégier.

Following a small ravine, the trail was often very steep and muddy. We were glad we had our hiking poles with us. There were some interesting rock formations here, and we took a break to have our picnic lunch under the overhang in the first picture below.

After completing about half of the altitude climb, the trail exited the forest, and we took a look back to enjoy the view.

After passing the clearing, the trail continued up through the forest. As we continued to gain altitude, we began to see there was still snow on the ground (mid-April). When the trail joined with a road, it began a very mild descent.

The trail left the road briefly to pass though a field, before again joining the road in the small town of Les Pomerats. There, we followed a paved path up and out of town.

On this part of the trail, we had to watch carefully for the yellow markers as the trail rather abruptly left the paved path and headed across a field where the ground didn’t show a distinct trail to follow.

When we reached the high point of the hike, (the picture above), we could see our destination (Saignelégier) below. Then, it was just a short hike down a paved road to Saignelégier.

Getting Back

After we reached Saignelégier, we followed the signs to the train station. I usually take a picture of the train station sign, but this time I forgot. The last picture here is of the church across the street from the train station.