An approximately 200-metre-long section of trackways west of the village is considered the longest visible example of its kind in Switzerland. Ballaigues also offers a circular trail exploring the history of the municipality and hikes with different focuses. This makes it possible to explore the destination through archaeological traces as well as the history of the Jougnena Valley and the northern Vaud Jura. Ballaigues lies on the southern slope of Suchet on the French-Swiss border; the municipality comprises the village and several hamlets. The place was first mentioned in 1228 as “Balevui”; “Bella Aqua” also appears in 1453.
Trackways west of the village
The section is a rare example of this kind of feature on level ground. The unusually deep grooves reach depths of up to 40 centimetres. The section of trackways is probably connected with salt routes from the Middle Ages and the Ancien RĂ©gime. Its significance lies both in the surviving traces and in their possible historical interpretation: the connection with salt routes is probable, but not certain.
A circular trail through local history
The Parcours Belle Epoque is a cultural route with a clearly defined timeframe. The 4-kilometre circular trail starts and ends at Place du Château, in front of the Hôtel-Restaurant de la Croix d’Or. It takes about 1.5 hours on foot. Eleven stops explain the history of the municipality in detail. Unlike the single archaeological section of trackways, this circular trail presents local history across several stops. The approximate walking time can be planned as a separate block of time; at the same time, the focus is on the history of the municipality, not just the distance covered.
A longer route through the Jougnena Valley
The Sentier thématique de la Jougnena takes considerably longer: it is about 19 kilometres long, takes around five hours on foot, and connects Jougne, Ballaigues and Vallorbe. Its nine themed sections trace nearly 2,000 years of the Jougnena Valley’s history, from Roman times to the present day. Compared with the Parcours Belle Epoque, the two routes therefore have different timeframes and themes: around 1.5 hours for the circular trail through the history of the municipality, and around five hours for the route through three places and the history of the valley.
Forests, pastures and viewpoints
The Tour des chalets hike starts in Ballaigues and offers a chance to discover the cultural heritage of the northern Vaud Jura. It passes through forests and pastures and offers views of Dent de Vaulion and Mont d’Or. This gives it a different focus from the Sentier thématique de la Jougnena: the Tour des chalets focuses on the landscape and cultural heritage of the northern Jura, while the Sentier explores the history of the Jougnena Valley through its themed sections.
The wider area around Ballaigues is part of the Jura Mountains and is characterised by forests, valleys and geological formations. Hiking trails range from gentle woodland paths to more challenging climbs; they include routes along river gorges and to viewpoints. The wider area is accessible by public transport, and several trails can start at or near stops. For a specific hike, check the connection to the relevant starting point.
Practical planning
For the Les Gorges de l’Orbe hike, there is, among other options, a parking area in the centre of Ballaigues. As parking conditions may change, check them before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Yvonand, La Praz, Le Chenit, Vugelles-La Mothe, Bonvillars, Le Lieu, L'abbaye, L'abbaye
For the broader travel overview: Northern Vaud Jura.
