Val-de-Ruz lies between the lake and the mountains, about halfway between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds. Discover the region through its trails, landscapes and places where nature, agriculture and culture come together.

Gardens and the world of bees at Evologia

Covering around 20 hectares, Evologia showcases aspects of the cultural, agricultural and landscape heritage of the canton of Neuchâtel. Walks lead you to the local flora and fauna. The «Jardins Extraordinaires» bring together imaginative, artistic and educational garden areas; they are open year-round and free of charge. Some installations may change.

In summer, Evologia offers four free orientation games for all age groups. As this is a seasonal activity, check the current summer programme before your trip. The «Espace Abeilles» offers another perspective on the site: at the educational apiary, visitors can learn about the world of bees, honey harvesting and wax processing. Observation hives and an observation centre offer a view of the apiary. Depending on the season, you can also watch the beekeepers at work.

Take bus lines 421 or 422 to the Crêt Debély stop to reach the «Espace Abeilles». Check transport information before travelling. At Evologia, Tractorama displays a collection of vintage tractors belonging to Patrick Zbinden. It is the result of more than 30 years of passion, meticulous work and searching for spare parts of various types and origins.

Hiking trails between villages and cultural heritage

The «Chemins chouettes» network offers signposted hiking trails connecting cafés-restaurants, métairies, hotels and information points about natural and cultural heritage. The «Autour du Seyon» loop, Chemin chouette No. 1, is 15 kilometres long and passes through the varied landscapes of Val-de-Ruz. You can split it into sections; along the way, discover aspects of the region’s history and cultural heritage.

«Les boviducs» offers a different route: the trail leads from Dombresson to La Vue des Alpes through hedgerow landscapes and wooded pastures. The paths were used to move livestock; wide panoramas open up along the way. The tree-lined paths connecting the villages of Val-de-Ruz also shape the landscape. They were named «Landscape of the Year 2022».

For a hike that begins with a steep climb, «Les Hauts-Geneveys–Chambrelien» first ascends to Tête de Ran. The route then follows the Jura Crest Trail for most of the way before descending to Chambrelien railway station. The routes described differ in length and terrain: the loop along the Seyon can be split into sections, while the hike to Chambrelien begins with a steep ascent.

Views and seasonal nature

From La Vue des Alpes and Tête de Ran, the view stretches from the Bernese Alps to the Valais Alps; in the foreground are Lake Neuchâtel and the Swiss Plateau. Thousands of daffodils bloom every spring between La Vue des Alpes and Tête de Ran, approximately from late March to late April. If you want to see them in bloom, plan your visit for this period.

Val-de-Ruz offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing through cultural landscapes, forests and pastures. In good weather, La Vue des Alpes is a starting point for hikes along the Jura ridges; there are also numerous mountain bike routes through forests and pastures and along ridge trails. The Bugnenets-Savagnières ski area has 30 kilometres of slopes, from blue to black runs, as well as a snow park. Snow conditions and operations are seasonal.

Val-de-Ruz is one of the three municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel that belong to the Chasseral Regional Nature Park. Since 2014, the Parc régional Chasseral and the municipality have jointly been restoring dry-stone walls between Les Vieux-Prés and La Vue-des-Alpes.

Churches, museums and regional culture

The centre of Valangin, at the entrance to Val-de-Ruz, is a site of national importance. The castle houses the regional museum, with an extensive collection on the history of the canton of Neuchâtel. The Temple d’Engollon, or Church of Saint-Pierre d’Engollon, was first mentioned in 1228. Its surviving 14th-century murals depict episodes from the life of Christ; the church also has stained-glass windows by Jules Courvoisier.

At the Musée agricole de Coffrane, you can visit several rooms in a former farmhouse that offer a glimpse into the lives of the rural population of earlier times. The museum also includes the «Apodyterium» annex, which you can reach on foot across a lawn. Music lovers will find another cultural landmark at the «Jardins Musicaux»: for more than 20 years, it has been a meeting place for music lovers from Val-de-Ruz, the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and abroad.

Regional produce is also at the heart of a gastronomic weekend event: the «Marché des produits du terroir» brings together 25 exhibitors at the Mycorama in Cernier. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 24 and 25 October. Check the event dates before planning your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Boudevilliers, La Vue Des Alpes, Le Pâquier, Dombresson, Fontainemelon, Savagnier, Villiers Ne, Fontaines, Les Hauts-Geneveys, Montmollin, Cernier, Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane.

Go to the main travel overview: Neuchâtel.