An easy hike and a pilgrimage site documented since the 13th century give Undervelier two distinct highlights. The Balade Ether is four kilometres long, classified as easy and takes about one hour; it starts and ends in Undervelier. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Undervelier can shape their stay around specific interests: hiking, the landscape of the gorges, or religious and archaeological history.
Undervelier on the Sorne
The village lies at an altitude of 536 metres in a widening of the valley on both sides of the Sorne, between two Jura gorges. It is twelve kilometres as the crow flies southwest of Delémont. The Sorne is a left-bank tributary of the Birs and has carved two gorges through the Jura ranges: the Gorges du Pichoux lie south of Undervelier, and the lower gorge of the Sorne lies north of the village. Undervelier is also in the heart of the Gorges du Pichoux. They are listed in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Landscapes, Sites and Natural Monuments.
The gorges shape the area’s relationship with nature. The Gorges du Pichoux are home to springs of particularly remarkable quality. The rare mayfly species Baetis nubecularis was also discovered there in 2002. It is found only in cold, oxygen-rich waters of the Jura Arc. The Lac Vert lies deep in the Gorges du Pichoux and is a suitable picnic spot amid the natural landscape. Conditions on site may vary depending on the season.
A historical snapshot of the former municipality adds to this picture of the landscape: in 1997, 73 percent of its area was forest and woodland, 24 percent agricultural land and 2 percent built-up areas. Forest and woodland thus accounted for the largest share of the land area at the time.
Hiking and the outdoors
The details of the Balade Ether offer a practical guide for a hike: four kilometres, approximately one hour and an easy level of difficulty. The route is designated as a family hike and starts and ends in Undervelier. Good hiking boots are required for the Ether hike. It is one of four energy trails in the municipality of Haute-Sorne, developed by geobiologist Joëlle Chautems. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Hiking and picnicking offer different experiences: the Balade Ether is defined by its route length and walking time, while the Lac Vert offers the chance to picnic in a natural setting. Both lead into the landscape of the Gorges du Pichoux, but conditions at the Lac Vert can vary with the seasons. If you want to focus your stay on outdoor activities, you can decide whether the hike or a picnic break should take centre stage.
Pilgrimage, archaeology and art
The Grotte Sainte-Colombe lies downstream from the village, by the roadside in the direction of Glovelier. It has been documented as a Christian pilgrimage site since the 13th century. Every year on 15 August, pilgrims come to pray before the statue of the Virgin Mary. Archaeological finds in the grotto include pottery fragments from the Bronze Age, the Gallo-Roman period and the Middle Ages. At this site, a religious tradition dating back to the Middle Ages meets finds from several historical periods.
The Église d’Undervelier also has a specific religious association: it is dedicated to Saint Erard. Art enthusiasts can visit the Bronze Art SA exhibition at Blanches-Fontaines 1, 2863 Undervelier, Switzerland. The Espace d’art du Pichoux opened in the former Blanches-Fontaines factory. These cultural venues add further artistic connections to the themes of pilgrimage and archaeology.
Getting there and choosing where to stay
Undervelier lies on the regional road from Bassecourt via Bellelay to Tavannes. A bus route from Bassecourt to Soulce connects the village to public transport. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the timetable for your travel date. When choosing a holiday apartment in Undervelier, consider which of the area’s themes you want to shape your stay: the approximately one-hour hike, the gorge landscape and Lac Vert, or the history of pilgrimage and culture. The annual pilgrimage day on 15 August provides a clear date to plan around.
Discover more destinations: Delémont, Bourrignon, Glovelier, Courroux, Soyhières, Rebeuvelier, Courfaivre, Saulcy.
Back to the main travel overview: Delémont.
