The Northern Vaud Jura offers a variety of discoveries: karst landscapes, wildlife watching, summit hikes and cultural heritage. If you are looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The region offers both specific hiking opportunities and attractions whose visits focus on distinctive geological or historical details.
Karst, Caves and Wildlife Watching
The Jura vaudois Regional Nature Park extends across three regions, including the Northern Vaud Jura. As part of the Jura massif, it features a typical karst landscape with marshes, caves and sinkholes. The Grottes de Vallorbe reveal this geological feature from a different perspective: the River Orbe has shaped the formations, creating stalactites, stalagmites and limestone columns.
A visit to the Grottes de Vallorbe includes La Cathédrale, a chamber more than 30 metres high, and ends at the Trésor des Fées. There, you can see a collection of 250 minerals from around the world. Those interested in wildlife watching can find wolves, bears and bison in a spacious, natural park setting at Juraparc, above Vallorbe. The animals roam semi-freely, and how easily they can be seen may vary. Juraparc also has a playground and an enclosure with farm animals, which are especially popular with children.
Hikes with Different Highlights
A challenging 12-kilometre circular hike from Sainte-Croix leads to the Chasseron, the highest peak in the Northern Vaud Jura. From the summit, views extend across the Alps, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Geneva and the Northern Vaud plain; visibility affects what can be seen. Another hiking option is the Gorges de Covatannaz: the hike starts at Sainte-Croix railway station. For the return journey, you can take the Travys panoramic train via Baulmes to Sainte-Croix or continue to Yverdon-les-Bains. Check current train services before setting off.
In winter, there are three ski touring routes in the Sainte-Croix / Les Rasses region. They take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, with an average elevation gain of 450 metres. These figures provide a different indication of duration from the 12-kilometre Chasseron circular hike. Snow and route conditions can change for ski touring, so take them into account when planning.
History and Regional Culture
The Romainmôtier Abbey Church was built between 990 and 1028, following the plans of the church at Cluny. Regular church services and concerts are held there today. The Roman mosaics at Orbe-Boscéaz tell another chapter of history: they come from nine rooms of a luxurious Roman villa and are protected in four pavilions open to visitors. Access to the pavilions is seasonal. The mosaics feature deities, geometric trompe-l’œil patterns and scenes from Greek mythology, including the labyrinth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
In Vallorbe, the Musée du fer et du chemin de fer brings together the history of railways and ironworking. The exhibition spans five rooms and includes 227 metres of model railway track. The museum is located on the site of the Grandes Forges, where six waterwheels are in operation on the Orbe. The mosaics, the abbey church and the museum each offer a different focus: ancient imagery, medieval architectural history, and the history of ironworking and railways.
Seasonal Experiences by the Water and Across the Region
Yvonand’s sandy beaches have gently sloping access to the water and a weak current, making them particularly suitable for children. Seasonal activities include pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing, motorboating and kitesurfing. Equipment availability may change. For a different kind of water experience, the Yverdon-les-Bains thermal baths are built around a sulphur spring that emerges from the ground at 29°C. The facility includes two pools, whirlpools, a sauna, bubble baths, massage jets and activated water currents. The water temperature is 34°C in winter and 28°C in summer. Check current access arrangements before your visit.
Regional food and wine experiences can also be planned in advance: the Cave des Viticulteurs de Bonvillars welcomes visitors six days a week to discover its specialities. Cellar and vineyard tours, as well as events, are available by reservation; reservations are recommended. Seasonal visits to truffle gardens in Bavois, Bonvillars, Mathod and Suchy include explanations from truffle growers, a truffle-hunting demonstration with a truffle dog, and a tasting of truffle-based products. Dates and organisers may change.
Discover more destinations: Romainmôtier-Envy, Cronay, Le Sentier, Sainte-Croix, Grandevent, Yverdon-Les-Bains, Les Rasses, Le Lieu, Vuiteboeuf, L'abbaye, Villars-Burquin, Bullet Vd, L'auberson, Concise, Montagny-Près-Yverdon, Yvonand, Orbe Vd, Champvent, Giez Vd, Baulmes, Le Chenit, Mathod, Donneloye, L'abbaye, Vallorbe, Bonvillars, Ballaigues, Grandson, La Praz, Vugelles-La Mothe, Onnens, Vaulion.
Return to the main travel overview: Vaud.
