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Creux du Van
ℹ️Practical info — Creux du Van
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- There are two main ways to reach the Creux du Van: a challenging hike up from Noiraigue, or you can drive to the Le Soliat restaurant, from which it's just a short walk to the cliff edge.
- Be extremely cautious at the cliff edge. There is a low stone wall but no high fences. Keep children and pets close.
- Look for the ibex that often graze on the edge of the cliffs, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Bring binoculars.
- The weather can change quickly in the Jura mountains. Bring layers and a windproof jacket, as it can be very windy on the ridge.
🍽 Food
Try a 'Saucisse sèche du Jura' in one of the 'métairies' (mountain farm-restaurants) near the summit. It's a local, air-dried delicacy.
The region is the birthplace of absinthe. In a restaurant in the Val-de-Travers (the valley below), try a glass of the real 'green fairy' liqueur.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Many of the mountain farms ('métairies') sell their own products like cheese, sausage, or honey. It's the best way to take home an authentic souvenir.
On your way back, stop in Neuchâtel, a city known for its chocolate tradition. Look for a 'chocolaterie' for high-quality pralines.
If you hike from Noiraigue, the 'trail of 14 bends' is a quiet experience in itself. The forest is peaceful and the slow gain in altitude builds the anticipation.
Walk 10-15 minutes along the ridge from the main viewpoint at Le Soliat restaurant. Most tourists stay in one spot, so you'll quickly find more solitude.
Inside the rocky cirque, there's a spring called 'La Fontaine Froide' (The Cold Fountain). It's a secluded spot where snow can persist year-round.
Water temperature…
Creux du Van is situated on the border of the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud in the Val de Travers. This horseshoe-shaped rock basin measures approximately one kilometer across and was formed by erosion over millions of years. The vertical walls drop 160 meters deep, offering memorable views across Lake Neuchâtel to the Alps. Hikers usually reach the plateau from Noiraigue via the challenging 'Sentier des 14 Contours' trail. The area is particularly famous for its rich wildlife; with some luck, ibex, chamois, and marmots can be spotted right along the cliff edge. The microclimate inside the basin is unique, housing a permafrost zone that supports arctic-alpine flora. After the hike, a visit to the nearby Val de Travers, the birthplace of Absinthe, is highly recommended. The best time to visit is late spring or autumn when temperatures are convenient for the steep ascent.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Creux du Van · Crêt aux Moines · Crêt Teni
- Nearby: La Chaux-du-Milieu (9 km)
- Population: ~524
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 102 | 81 | 97 | 85 | 122 | 109 | 104 | 109 | 85 | 106 | 102 | 116 |
Geography
Facts
- Jura Mountains
- Horseshoe shape
- 160m vertical cliffs
- Ibex colony
- Canton of Neuchâtel
- 1km diameter
- Permafrost zone
- Near Val de Travers
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Creux du Van (9)
Frequently asked questions
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