Jaun combines a rich cultural heritage with activities in the Gastlosen mountains. Twelve carved grave crosses are displayed in the cemetery as an open-air museum; outside the village, hiking trails, mountain views and seasonal activities beckon. When choosing accommodation in Jaun, you can decide whether to focus more on culture and local history or on activities in the mountains.
Grave Crosses, Cultural Trails and the Old Church
The hand-carved wooden crosses in the cemetery are considered unique works of art in Europe. Their reliefs often depict a characteristic scene from the deceased’s working life or a particular interest or hobby. The tradition began in 1948, when Walter Cottier designed a grave cross for his grandfather. After Cottier’s death in 1995, Reinold Boschung continued the tradition in the spirit of his predecessor. The oldest cross on display in the cemetery dates from 1960.
The three-kilometre circular trail “Rund um Jaun” complements the cultural hiking trail and takes visitors to discover the village’s cultural heritage with fifteen information panels. The Charmey–Jaun section of the Jogne cultural trail also explores living traditions: almost 60 panels stand by buildings or places associated with them. QR codes provide translations and additional content, including historical photographs. In Jaun, the cultural trail reaches the Old Church.
Today, the Old Church is a concert hall and houses the Cantorama Museum and the House of Fribourg Choral Singing. A former parish church, it dates back to the 13th century; the House of Fribourg Choral Singing has been located there since 1992. Those interested in architecture, choral singing and local traditions will find a distinctive cultural highlight here. There is also a waterfall in the village centre.
The Gastlosen: Hiking, Climbing and Places to Stop
The Gastlosen are a striking mountain range associated with Jaun. They are classified as a landscape and geotope of national importance; their limestone walls rise almost 300 metres vertically. The Gastlosen Tour offers views of the Bernese Alps and the Valais 4,000-metre peaks. The “Tour des Gastlosen” hike starts and ends in Jaun. From Mauzes Bergle, you can return to Jaun by chairlift, scooter or on foot.
The Gastlosen Express takes hikers to the Bärghus, the starting point for the Gastlosen circular tour. Along the route, there are places to stop at the Soldatenhaus mountain lodge and the Chalet Grat alpine hut. The Gastlosen range also offers more than 800 climbing routes. Hiking trails run at the foot of the Gastlosen, where there are also mountain bike trails and scooter rides. The mountain lifts take visitors directly to the foot of the range.
Adventure Trail and Seasonal Nature Watching
The Jaun Adventure Trail is an approximately two-hour circular route near the mountain railway’s upper station. Nature stations encourage children to use their senses, and several play stations add to the trail. It is recommended for children aged six and over who already have hiking experience. As access to the mountain can be seasonal, it is worth checking the conditions for your planned visit.
The Grossmutterloch is visible from the panoramic viewpoint near the chairlift’s upper station. In autumn and winter, sunlight shines through it, creating a moving beam of light on the snow. The phenomenon lasts about half an hour. For another nature-watching experience, the right season matters more than precise timing during the day. Check the chairlift operating hours before travelling.
Winter Activities and Trip Planning
In winter, Jaun offers a family-friendly ski area as well as ski touring and snowshoeing routes. Its cross-country ski trails are among the most snow-reliable in the region, and there is also a six-kilometre toboggan run. The “Charmey–Im Fang–Jaun” snowshoe route connects the three villages along the Jaunbach (Jogne). It can be walked in either direction, with bus stops along the route. Check current trail conditions before setting out on a snowshoe hike.
Public transport is one option for travelling to Jaun; check the specific connection for your travel dates. At Les Invuettes, you can try seasonal homemade cheese dishes, such as fondue or cheese slices, at the adjacent buvette. As the offering is seasonal, it is advisable to confirm availability before your trip. When looking for accommodation in Jaun, you can tailor your stay to your interests: cultural heritage and village trails, the Gastlosen or winter activities.
Discover more destinations: Pringy, Vuadens, Morlon, Echarlens, La Tour-De-Trême, Haut-Intyamon, Grandvillard, Corbières Fr.
For the broader travel overview: Greyerz.
