Courtelary lies in the Vallon de Saint-Imier, and the Suze flows through the town. The municipality stretches from the valley to extensive forests and pastures on the Montagne du Droit and the Chasseral range. River landscapes, mountain ridges and a historic town centre thus come together as distinct aspects of the destination.
The Suze, the Valley and the Mountain Ridges
The valley floor of the Suze, known in French as the Suze, is 500 to 700 metres wide. Courtelary itself lies at about 695 metres above sea level, around 14 kilometres west-northwest of Biel/Bienne. The highest point within the municipality reaches 1,540 metres. This distinction is useful for your planning: the elevation given for the town does not describe the full range of the surrounding landscape.
The landscape around Courtelary, with its Jura high-altitude pastures, spruce forests and the Suze, is well suited to hiking and cycling. When planning your outings, you can treat the river valley and the higher-altitude areas as distinct landscape zones.
Hiking and Outdoor Activities
The Sentier du Vallon is a themed hiking trail about the use of water in the region, from the past to the present, as well as local industry and nature. At 6.60 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 93 metres and an estimated duration of three hours, the scale of the route is easy to gauge. The trail is rated easy in terms of both technical difficulty and endurance, and ends in Courtelary. It is listed as a year-round activity. Route details and difficulty ratings can change, so check the latest trail information before setting out.
There are also numerous paths and trails in the forests of the Bourgeoisie de Courtelary. Marked routes are under the patronage of Suisse Rando. The forests have two picnic areas; the dry meadows of the Droit are home to protected plant and animal species.
Around Courtelary, hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and ski touring offer ways to experience the landscape in every season. Which activity suits your stay depends on seasonal conditions. The Sentier du Vallon offers a specific hike with an estimated duration; the other activities mentioned provide different ways to get outdoors.
Local History and Architecture
The historic town centre is characterised by civic and farmhouses dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The Romanesque church of Courtelary was built in the 10th or 11th century. During its restoration in 1933, 14th-century frescoes were uncovered. These landmarks span the early church building and frescoes that only came to light again during the restoration.
Courtelary Castle was built in 1606, when the bailiffs of Erguël were appointed there. Together with the houses in the town centre and the church, it offers a cultural focus distinct from the hiking trails and landscape. When planning your stay, you can weigh up whether you would like to discover Courtelary mainly for its outdoor trails or its local history.
Chocolate and Regional Products
At Camille Bloch in Courtelary, the Parcours Découverte introduces visitors to the company’s history and includes live production demonstrations and interactive activities. Before travelling there, check the operator’s latest visitor information. In workshops, you can make your own Ragusa or Torino; check the latest participation requirements in advance.
The Camille Bloch bistro serves mainly regional products and specialities; its offering may change. The Pressoir de Courtelary is another way to enjoy local produce: apple juice is sold there as a regional product bearing the Swiss Parks label. The juice’s availability may vary.
Getting There and Practical Planning
Trains on the Biel/Bienne–La Chaux-de-Fonds line stop at Courtelary station. Regional trains run hourly to Biel/Bienne, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Neuchâtel. If you are travelling by train, check the current timetable before setting out, as services may change.
You can therefore choose from several focuses for your visit: a hike with a clearly defined route length, other activities in the landscape, local history, or the Parcours Découverte and its insights into the company’s history. How much time to set aside depends on which activities you want to combine.
Discover more destinations: St-Imier, Renan, Mont-Tramelan, Péry, Villeret Be, Cormoret, Sonvilier, Cortébert.
For the overarching travel guide: Courtelary.
