Between Vallorbe and Orbe the young river Orbe runs through a wooded gorge that has been left wild as a protected reserve. The trail follows it the whole way, through forest and past the Saut du Day waterfall, in a green corridor where you may spot beavers, kingfishers and other riverine wildlife. It is the gentlest of the region’s long routes, and the one to choose when the high Jura is under cloud.
The walk
This is a linear route of about 17 km and 4 h 30, run between Vallorbe and Orbe. Because both ends are towns with stations, you can walk it one way and take the train back, in whichever direction suits the light. There is little serious climbing; the length is the main effort, and the surface can be muddy after rain. It makes a fine half-to-full day at low level, close to the water the whole way.
The exact stages and the official signposting are maintained by the regional tourism office (linked below); the marked trails are also shown on the swisstopo map above, which you can open full-screen to plan your own variation.
Getting there
Both ends are easy car-free: Vallorbe is a direct train from Yverdon-les-Bains on the line toward France, and Orbe is a short hop with a change at Chavornay. Start at one and finish at the other. See getting here for trains to the region, and the Vallorbe and Orbe pages for the towns at each end.
Good to know
- Season. Good for much of the year at this low altitude; expect mud after rain, and check for short closures for works.
- Wildlife. The reserve is home to beavers and kingfishers; go quietly, early or late, for the best chance of seeing them.
- Source. Distances, timing and the official route are from the regional tourism office: Yverdon-les-Bains Region. Map data © swisstopo.
