The last time we did this hike was in February 2023. In the meantime, the storm of 24 July 2023 had occurred and the trail between the Convers and the Creux had been closed for a very long time due to the damage to the forest. This was still the case in the summer of 2024. By autumn 2024, the trail had been reopened again, and we wanted to go and see for ourselves.
We started from the centre of La Chaux-de-Fonds, not following the marked trail strictly, as it goes up the Rue du Grenier, which is quite busy. Instead, we went up the magnificent Rue de la Promenade to pick up the marked trail a little further on. This leads first to the Bois du Couvent and then down to the large roundabout at the entrance to the Vue des Alpes tunnel.
Further on, we followed the marked trail that crosses the Vue des Alpes road and goes up towards Reymond to go down the other side to Boinod. From there, we followed the marked trail up to the Col de la Brûlée, unlike the first time we did this hike. This allowed us to follow the marked trail down into Les Combes and then to the not very exciting place where the road comes out of the Vue des Alpes tunnel and goes back into the Mont Sagne tunnel.
From there, you can follow the route of the old railway line. Even though it was abandoned very early on after it started being used, the tracks remained for a long time and were used as sidings. It should be said that for a time, a mine and a cement works were located there.
When we walked this section to the Creux, we were surprised to see that there was not much damage. The worst damage is between the Creux and Jolimont. After Jolimont, we were surprised to see that the marked trail now goes to a different place. At the time, we had gone much closer to Clermont.
Route: La Chaux-de-Fonds – Bois du Couvent – Reymond – Boinod – Col de la Brûlée – Les Combes – Creux – Jolimont – Les Reprises – La Cibourg (CJ stop)
Distance: 12.5km
Elevation gain: 490m
Duration: 4 hours
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