Vallon de Saint-Imier

The Biel to La Chaux-de-Fonds railway stops at Sonceboz, Corgémont, Cortébert, Courtelary, Cormoret, Villeret and Saint-Imier, at a steady frequency all day. Saint-Imier station is a few minutes' walk from the lower station of the Mont-Soleil funicular. By car, come via Sonceboz from Biel or over from La Chaux-de-Fonds. Postbuses serve Mont-Crosin and the ridge farms.

Good to know: the funicular runs year-round but on reduced timetables off-season. Check the last descent before heading out on the ridge, or you will be walking back down.

The ridge path between Mont-Soleil and Mont-Crosin is wide and smooth, usable with an all-terrain pushchair for the first few kilometres. The wind turbines hold small children's attention for a surprisingly long time, and sitting down to watch the blades turn is often enough of a plan. The Saint-Imier pool has a paddling area and wide lawns, and the town centre itself is flat, which is rare in this part of the Jura.

The valley often sits above the sea of fog that covers the Swiss Plateau in autumn. When Biel and Neuchâtel stay grey, the funicular usually climbs into sunshine, which is the best argument going for getting the children outside. In steady rain, switch instead to the indoor Orval pool in Bévilard, about fifteen minutes away by road via Sonceboz, or book a guided visit of the Mont-Soleil solar plant, which runs largely under cover.