If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Montmollin, you can plan your trip around your own interests: hikes, distinctive landscapes and local history offer a range of options. One specific hiking destination is Grande Sagneule, at an altitude of 1,313 metres, accessible via Rochefort and La Tourne. The high Jura ridges and several described habitats also shape the character of the municipality.
Jura Ridges, Pastures and Natural Sites
In Montmollin, the protected “crêtes” zone covers the entire area of the high Jura ridges. Its landscape consists mainly of nutrient-poor pastures and wooded pastures. Individual trees and shrubs, dry-stone walls, stone piles and exposed limestone are among its defining features. As a result, the focus is not only on the ridges but also on the small-scale structures of the pastures.
The Mare de la Grande-Sagneule is a small pond formed in a doline. It is the only open body of water in the municipality of Montmollin. A small amphibian population lives there, and the pond also provides a habitat for dragonflies. This makes the site interesting from an ecological perspective as well as a landscape feature.
Other habitats differ markedly from one another. The Clairière de la Vy Neuve is mostly a wooded pasture characterised by dog roses. Scattered shrubs and groups of trees provide a habitat for local birdlife. At Le Rafou, it is worth distinguishing between the two sections: in the south, open, dry habitats combine with scattered groups of trees and bushes; this area is particularly important for local birdlife. The northern section forms the irregular forest edge of the Rasereule forest and is often used as a habitat by butterflies.
The southern forest edge of Bois de La Rochette also has its own ecological character: it is a diverse habitat for fauna found in ecotones, particularly butterflies. Those who include nature in their travel plans will find more than a single type of landscape: pastures, forest edges, groups of trees and the pond each have their own character and described communities of living organisms.
Hiking and Views
The Chemin chouette No. 7 passes through Montmollin and is a circular hiking route. It is 9 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 2 hours and 24 minutes. The difficulty is considered family-friendly and fairly easy. Along the way, there are views of Creux du Van, Lake Neuchâtel and the Alps. The distance and time provide a clear framework for the hike, while the views take in several distinctive landscapes.
Balade 7 – Perspectives Sud-Ouest offers a different perspective; its listed route includes Montmollin. The views extend across the Swiss Plateau, the Alps and the folded ridges of the Jura Mountains. Comparing the described routes lets you choose between a circular hike with a specified distance and duration and a route whose main attraction is its wide-ranging landscapes. For example, Les Prés-Devant can be reached via Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane.
Boundary Stones and Local History
On a pasture at Grande Sagneule, a boundary stone marks the meeting point of the four districts of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Boudry and Val-de-Ruz. Another historical landmark lies in the hamlet of Gletterens, between the village and Coffrane: boundary stones there recall the former administrative divisions of Valangin and La Côte. The two locations illustrate different historical boundaries—one marking the meeting point of four districts, the other recalling former administrative divisions.
East of the village stood a former laundry, later converted into the municipal slaughterhouse. The building has a half-hipped roof, a water supply, a granite basin dating from 1859, and door and window surrounds made of grey limestone. Its history of use and architectural details can be considered separately: the former laundry was later used by the municipality, while the roof shape, basin and stone surrounds are specific features of the building.
At the Collège primaire, an information board about Claude Loewer stands in the square named after the school. It presents his work in painting, tapestry, ceramics, collage, theatre and architectural decoration, lithography, mosaics and stained glass. For a stay that includes local history and art as well as hiking, these topics complement Montmollin’s natural and landscape features with a cultural perspective.
Discover more destinations: La Vue Des Alpes, Fontainemelon, Cernier, Villiers Ne, Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Le Pâquier, Dombresson, Savagnier.
For the broader travel overview: Val-De-Ruz.
