"My sister and I were on a cycle tour near Saignelégier on a fine Friday in September. All of a sudden we came across the Etang de la Gruère. We gave in to temptation and stopped for a well-earned break. Leaving our bikes carefully at the entrance to the nature reserve, we set off on foot to tour the pond, a nice walk lasting about 45 minutes. The scenery was wonderful and enchanting - we thought we might be in Finland or Quebec. The water was dark but glistening, there were blueberries all around and a few mushrooms... We were surprised at the size of the roots of some of the trees that were felled by hurricane Lothar and left to decay naturally. Some people were bathing but quite honestly, the stillness of the place was more conducive to strolling and daydreaming."
Alice and her sister
Info
The Etang de la Gruère nature reserve covers more than 120 hectares. The peat bog or upland moor extends over 56 hectares and has a nine-metre layer of peat accumulated over 12,000 years (after the end of the ice age). Most of the reserve lies within the territory of the town of Saignelégier but some of it also extends into the territory of the Jura towns of Bémont and Montfaucon, as well as Tramelan in the canton of Bern. It is classified as a marshland of national importance. In the 17th century, an artificial dam was built to operate a mill.
Good to know
Centre Nature Les Cerlatez
2350 Saignelégier
T. +41 (0) 32 951 12 69
F. +41 (0) 32 951 11 23
www.centre-cerlatez.ch
