Discover Val-De-Ruz: Trails, Culture and Nature

Val-de-Ruz lies between lake and mountains, approximately halfway between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds. In Val-de-Ruz, there are opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing through cultural landscapes, forests and pastures. When choosing a holiday apartment in Val-de-Ruz, trail routes, seasons, nature and culture can be considered side by side as different points of reference.

Landscape and Trails

The «Autour du Seyon» circular route (Chemin chouette No. 1) is 15 kilometres long, passes through the different landscapes of Val-de-Ruz and can be divided into sections. Along a varied route, it also provides access to aspects of the history and cultural heritage of the Val-de-Ruz region. The «Chemins chouettes» network complements this trail network with signposted hiking trails that connect cafés-restaurants, Métairies, hotels and information points relating to natural and cultural heritage.

The «Les boviducs» route leads from Dombresson to La Vue des Alpes through hedgerow landscapes and wooded pastures. Its paths were used to drive cattle and offer expansive panoramas. The «Les Hauts-Geneveys–Chambrelien» hike initially climbs steeply to the Tête de Ran, then runs mostly along the Jura ridge trail before descending to Chambrelien railway station. In good weather, La Vue des Alpes is a starting point for hikes on the Jura ridges and offers numerous mountain-bike routes through forests, pastures and ridge trails.

The paths lined with avenues of trees that connect the villages of Val-de-Ruz were named «Landscape of the Year 2022». In suitable visibility conditions, the view from La Vue des Alpes and the Tête de Ran extends from the Bernese Alps to the Valais Alps; in the foreground are Lake Neuchâtel and the Swiss Plateau. Between La Vue des Alpes and the Tête de Ran, thousands of daffodils bloom in the meadows every spring. Since 2014, the Parc régional Chasseral and the municipality of Val-de-Ruz have been leading the restoration of dry-stone walls between Les Vieux-Prés and La Vue-des-Alpes.

Different trail lengths, seasonal activities and named transport points can be compared side by side for your own planning.

Nature and Seasons

Val-de-Ruz is one of the three municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel that are members of the Chasseral Regional Nature Park. Evologia is an informative place to discover natural and cultural heritage: the approximately 20-hectare site presents various aspects of the canton of Neuchâtel’s cultural, agricultural and landscape heritage and offers walks to discover the local flora and fauna.

In summer, Evologia offers four free orienteering games for all age groups. The «Jardins Extraordinaires» at Evologia are freely accessible year-round and combine imaginative, artistic and educational garden areas. The «Espace Abeilles» is an educational apiary where visitors can learn about the world of bees, honey harvesting and wax processing. Visible beehives and an observation centre show how the work of beekeepers can be observed depending on the season. The «Espace Abeilles» can be reached by bus routes 421 and 422 to the Crêt Debély stop.

The «Le paysage dans tous ses états» exhibition depicts Val-de-Ruz at a scale of 1:100 over an area of 18,000 m². For winter days, the Bugnenets-Savagnières ski area, with 30 kilometres of slopes ranging from blue to black difficulty levels and a snow park, is among the activities described.

Culture and History

The centre of Valangin at the entrance to Val-de-Ruz is a site of national importance. At Valangin Castle, the regional museum presents an extensive collection of objects relating to the history of the canton of Neuchâtel. The Temple d’Engollon, the Saint-Pierre d’Engollon church, was first mentioned in 1228. Its interior preserves 14th-century murals depicting episodes from the life of Christ; the Temple d’Engollon also has stained-glass windows by Jules Courvoisier.

Tractorama at Evologia displays Patrick Zbinden’s collection of old tractors. The exhibition is the result of more than 30 years of passion, careful work and the search for spare parts of various types and origins. The Musée agricole de Coffrane allows visitors to explore various rooms of a former farmhouse and conveys the way of life of the rural population of the past. This museum also includes an extension called «Apodyterium», which can be reached on foot across a lawn to discover its treasures.

Winter and Regional Events

The «Toboggan géant» at the La Vue-des-Alpes pass descends through the landscape along a downhill track at speeds of up to 40 km/h. It can be reached by bus route 370 to the Vue-des-Alpes stop. Music is another major focus of events: for more than 20 years, the «Jardins Musicaux» have been a cultural meeting place for music lovers from Val-de-Ruz, the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and abroad.

The «Fête la Terre» event takes place in the heart of Val-de-Ruz and focuses on exchange with regional producers. In Cernier, the «Marché des produits du terroir» is a gastronomic weekend event with 25 exhibitors at Mycorama.

Other Places in Val-de-Ruz

Les Hauts-Geneveys, Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Fontaines, Fontainemelon, Boudevilliers, Le Pâquier, Savagnier, Villiers Ne, Montmollin, Dombresson, Cernier

To the higher-level travel overview: Neuchâtel.