It is a very short hike that I will describe here. Indeed, the distance covered during this hike is less than 2km. On the other hand, it allows to visit the two sources of the Dou.
When travelling down the Vallon de St-Imier one may have noticed that at St-Imier, the Suze does not have a significant flow. However, further down the valley, near Courtelary, the flow of this river is much important. The difference is the Dou, a stream with an open-air route of only a few hundred metres. The contrast in the flow is clearly visible when one goes up the Vallon de St-Imier by train, because one can then see the Suze, since one is higher above the valley.
Near the silo, you will notice a pipe leading to a protrusion of the building. This pipe is used to drive water to power a turbine, which is currently still in service.
From the silo, one must cross the road to Villeret. To do this, one must go up a little to get a good view of the road. Indeed, the traffic is running fast at this point, and it is better to be able to see what is coming. After changing sides, one can then go down again to find a small passage under the railway track. Towards this passage is a small accumulation basin.
Going up a good trail following the vale, it is not long before one sees the well of the Grande Dou below the trail. Water flows out of the boulders and forms a stream. To reach the spring of the Petite Dou, continue along the trail to the marked trail which one follows for a short time. Further on, a trail separates from the marked trail and descends towards the underpass. In a recess, there is the well of the Petite Dou.
If one wants to extend this short hike, one can follow the signposted trail mentioned above to reach Cormoret. A little away from the main road, one will find the source of the Raisette in the village.
Itinerary: Cormoret Grain Silo – Grande Dou Spring – Petite Dou Spring – Cormoret Grain Silo
Distance: 1.7Km
Altitude gain: 60m
Duration: 30min
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