Etang de la Gruère

Today was the day. Sunshine and also enough cold, so the pond was finally accessible, an eerie feeling, especially when you suddenly heard a cracking sound 😳

The Jura is a quick-change artist and offers plenty of nature and relaxation in every season. So a hike is part of the tradition at any time of the year. Now in summer the temperature on the Jura heights and in the forests is a little more bearable than on the central plateau. The moor area around the Etang de la Gruère is at 1,000 meters above sea level. The area is also easily accessible by postbus or train via Saignelégier, Les Reussilles or Tramelan. Horse lovers would prefer the four-in-hand.😉😂

The Etang de la Gruére near Saignelégier is "a quick-change artist". Depending on the season, it appears black (moorland), blue or white when it is frozen over. The circular route through the landscape protection area offers something impressive at all times! Simple path that can also be expanded. The Jura offers something for many sports interests!

Once again inhaled the humid, "oxygen-rich" air; at the Etang de la Gruére in the Bernese Jura, not far from Tramelan. The hair dryer has left its mark and the first spring fever 🤪 is coming up. Then have fun!

Short hike around the beautiful Étang de la Gruère. It is a dammed moor lake located on the high plateau of the Franches-Montagnes in the Swiss Jura. It was built in the 17th century to operate a mill. The peat or raised moor extends over 56 hectares and is 9 meters thick, and has accumulated over the last 12,000 years. The nature reserve invites you to relax and unwind, the "black" water and the beautiful forest have something calming about them. Simply beautiful!

The area is one of the largest and best-preserved raised bogs in Switzerland. It is of exceptional scenic and biological value and is now under cantonal, national, and European protection. We walk the almost 3 km around the moor lake on soft paths and wooden boardwalks. It is wonderfully quiet here, and one becomes quite humble. ITS HISTORY When the glaciers retreated around 13,000 years ago, they left behind impermeable rock layers. This favored the growth of sphagnum mosses and thus the formation of peat. This created an extensive raised bog covering an area of almost 85 hectares. In the 17th century, a moor lake was created at its lowest point to supply the La Gruère mill with hydropower. Numerous drainage ditches cut across the moor were intended to increase the water flow to the lake. Today, a sawmill stands in place of the old mill. Since 1952, it has been using electricity from the public grid. This has led to the moor lake losing its importance as a water reservoir. The raised bog, which relies on moisture, continues to dry out due to ongoing drainage. This will lead to the long-term destruction of this valuable and rare habitat. This also releases large amounts of CO2 bound in the peat, with negative consequences for our climate.

The black-looking moor lake in the middle of a nature reserve invites you to hike and enjoy at any time of the year. The tour is partly on a wooden plank path. Worthwhile for young and old, incl. picnic or in the nearby "Auberge de la Couronne" (closed Mon/Tuesday).