ViaBerna - stage 03 St-Imier – Nods

The hike begins in St-Imier. Past the imposing buildings of the local watchmaker, the route climbs to the Combe-Grède gorge that seems to be almost impassable. The steep gorge can be tackled via limestone steps and ladders anchored into the rock. The mountain trail is well secured, but it does require sure-footedness, good physical fitness and good-quality hiking equipment. Above the gorge, the view extends over to Montagne du Droit, the houses of Villeret are far below and the ridge of the Chasseral will soon also come into view. One final push to earn your reward: From Chasseral, you can enjoy the view over to the plateau of Tessenberg, over Mittelland, the lakes and across to the majestic Alps. The descent to Nods on a pleasant hiking trail is the perfect way to finish this varied day’s hiking.

Industrialisation also came to the valleys of Bernese Jura in the 18th century. The watchmaking industry in particular quickly became important. One global brand still has its headquarters in St-Imier. The name “Longines” comes from a former area of marshland in the town. A pocket watch factory was built there in 1866. The brand name was officially registered a few years later to protect against counterfeiting. This makes “Longines” the oldest registered watch brand in the world. The company is now part of the Swatch group.

Two enormous vertical walls of rock tower on both sides of the entrance to Combe Grède. At first the gorge seems so gloomy that you would think you were at the entrance to a large cave. It’s little wonder that this mysterious place is the birthplace of ancient legends. People believed that it was the workshop of Santa Claus and his elves. People also suspected that the high rocks sheltered witches that sent hail to destroy the harvest. Combe Grède and its surroundings have been protected by law since 1932. Chamois that were released here have formed a large colony.

At 1606 metres, Chasseral is the highest mountain in Bernese Jura and gives a breathtaking view. The panoramic viewpoint at the hotel names 160 summits between Säntis and La Dôle. The panorama at the summit mast, which also has a directional antenna, is even more extensive.