Parc naturel régional Jura vaudois

Parc naturel régional Jura vaudois is a regional nature park in the Swiss canton of Vaud, stretching from the Dôle summit to the area around Romainmôtier. Gimel, at the foot of the Jura, is one of the member communes, which makes it a handy starting point for quiet walks across mountain pastures.

What is the park?

It has held the status of a regional nature park of national importance since 2013. It covers roughly 570 km² and more than thirty communes, home to tens of thousands of residents. Each commune is tied to the park through a contract and a park charter, the current one running 2023–2032. It is not a national park: the idea is that farming, forestry, tourism and landscape protection should work together.

What will you see?

The signature scenery is wooded pasture: lone spruces, dry-stone walls and scattered alpine farm buildings, of which the park has hundreds. Large forests such as the Risoud sit alongside them. Traditional grazing and woodland management still shape these views.

Themed trails add variety. One covers resonance wood, the spruce prized by instrument makers. Another follows the red wood ant, which in 1966 became the first insect in Switzerland to receive protected status.

Where to start

The main gateway is the Espace Découvertes visitor centre at the Col du Marchairuz pass, with a permanent exhibition on the park's projects. Opening hours follow those of the neighbouring hotel-restaurant, and it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so check ahead.

Hiking and winter

The Grande Traversée du Jura follows the crest with open views over wooded pastures and climbs to Mont Tendre (1,679 m), the highest point of the Vaud Jura. The stretch from Saint-Cergue to the Marchairuz pass crosses typical Jura pasture. In winter, cross-country ski routes run near the pass.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get there by public transport? Postbus line 840 serves the Col du Marchairuz all year, with a limited weekend timetable. Bike spaces must be reserved from May to October.

Is there an entry fee? Walking the park's trails needs no ticket; some individual local offers may charge.

When should I go? Summer and early autumn suit hiking, winter suits cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Is it a national park? No. It is a regional nature park, with lighter rules than a national park, but you should still respect farmers and livestock.