Jura Day 15

We left Balsthal to the sound of church bells ringing.  As we started the climb, the bells were joined by the noise from the local rifle range.  We climbed about 750m over a distance of 9kms.  Near the top the path crossed from the north to the south side of the ridge.  The noise of gunfire disappeared, only to be replaced by the firing from a club on the south side.  The path narrowed as we worked our way through the forest, and then reached the top.  There was a large military installation at the top, and the path led down the cliff in a series of steps and zig-zags.  At the bottom of this section we walked about 50m and were suddenly walking in wide meadows, on a very good path.  We stopped at a restaurant for cake and a drink.  The path went up and down as we walked along the crest line and there were plenty of people out walking.  At one of the road crossings over the ridge there was a large playpark, with many people walking about the high wire bridges between the trees (all wearing safety harnesses).  There was then a long straight section, where we were walking right into the wind.  Then it was back to many small ups and downs, before the final climb to the end of the stage.

Tonight’s accommodation is at the hotel at the end of the stage, with views southwards to the Alps.  We could just make out the mountains in the rainfall in the distance.  The meal was very good; despite being on half-board, we were told to choose any four courses from the menu!

We’ve now got clear blue sky to the north, and overcast to the south.  Tomorrow is another important day, as we cross the border from German to French speaking Switzerland.  (In the Alps this was marked by a small stream, with the villages only a few km away speaking only French or German.)