Along the Suze through the Vallon de St-Imier

From the Villeret train station, the path leads along Rue Neuve heading east. The view through the green Vallon de St-Imier and toward the Chasseral range is magnificent. Soon, on a well-maintained forest path, you pass the Source de la Dou. The spring originates in a small valley and the water flows into the Suze. The hike continues downhill to Cormoret, where you get close to the winding course of the Suze. The old village road reaches Courtelary with the former castellan's office, which once played an important role in regional administration. Along the Suze, a footpath leads to the farming village of Cortébert. The path then crosses to the other side of the railway line, rises a bit above the valley floor, but soon returns near the river's course. On the far side of the Suze, you see the Corgémont station building, turn towards it, and follow the railway line past industrial buildings to the Sonceboz-Sombeval train station.

Background: The Vallon de St-Imier is a picturesque longitudinal valley in the northwest of the canton of Bern. The valley, which stretches over 27 kilometers, is flanked in the north by the Montagne du Droit and in the south by the Chasseral range. Characteristic are the cross-valley municipal boundaries, which give each community a share of the valley floor, the shady hillside forest, and the sunny mountain pasture. The Suze drains the valley and flows through a variety of villages.