Gravel Trans Jura: 400 kilometres of bikepacking adventure in the Swiss Jura

The Gravel Trans Jura is establishing itself as a new bikepacking format in Switzerland and takes participants on a carefully planned route covering 400 kilometres and 11,000 metres of altitude from Baden to Nyon. Each participant sets their own pace and daily stages. The start will be on 5 or 6 June 2026, and the organisers emphasise that this is not a competition, but rather an event. Cycling adventurewhich emphasises the experience of nature. According to the organisers, the route offers spectacular panoramas of the unspoilt Jura landscape. Both gravel bikes and mountain bikes are permitted, while e-bikes are not allowed. The entry fee is 260 Swiss francs (approx. 280 euros) if you register by 10 April 2026, after which it increases to 310 Swiss francs. The number of participants is limited to 400.

Gravel Trans Jura through six cantons

The route of the Gravel Trans Jura begins in the spa town of Baden at the foot of the Jura foothills "Lägern" and initially leads through the canton of Aargau with its steep climbs and descents. After crossing the Salhöhe, the route alternates several times between the cantons of Baselland and Solothurn. From Balsthal, the route leads into less populated areas and runs over the elongated ridge of the Grenchnerberg into the Bernese Jura. According to the organisers, the section through the canton of Neuchâtel should offer special scenic highlights. Crossing Lake Neuchâtel, the route reaches the canton of Vaud, the sixth and final canton on the tour. The village of Sainte-Croix at an altitude of 1100 metres marks one of the last major settlement points before the route leads close to the French border to the finish in Nyon on Lake Geneva.

Route characteristics and navigation

The organisers have designed the route so that around 75 percent of the route is on gravel and gravel roads. The route is supplemented by tarmac sections, meadow paths and a few single trails. All participants will receive access to the GPS track and a roadmap at least two months before the event. This digital documentation not only contains the route, but also information on accommodation, catering and shopping facilities along the route. This allows riders to flexibly adapt their stage planning to daily conditions and their own state of health. The organisers emphasise that the route has been designed with great attention to detail and includes the major highlights of the entire Jura region.

Gravel Trans Jura rules

In addition to the restriction to non-motorised gravel bikes and mountain bikes, you may only ride from sunrise to sunset. Night stages are not permitted. Even if there is no official ranking, timekeeping will be carried out, which is relevant for the finisher's diploma. Participation in the Openingevent on 4 or 5 June 2026 is mandatory for all participants. Riders are responsible for their own catering and accommodation, although the roadmap contains all the necessary information on catering options.

Gravel Trans Jura Service

The entry fee of 260 Swiss francs (around 280 euros) includes the following services: GPS track of the route and Gravel Trans Jura app, which provides support both during preparation and during the ride. The detailed roadmap lists all accommodation, restaurants and shopping facilities along the route in tabular form. The joint opening event in Baden including dinner, reception in Nyon and a 24-hour hotline during the event round off the service package. The organisers emphasise the flexibility of the concept: whether luxurious hotel accommodation or nights in a sleeping bag in the open air - each participant can arrange the adventure according to their own ideas.

Technical requirements

The route, with 11,000 metres of elevation gain over 400 kilometres and a high proportion of unpaved paths, places certain demands on people and equipment. Gravel bikes or mountain bikes should be suitably robust and equipped for longer tours. As participants are responsible for their own catering and accommodation, suitable bikepacking equipment is required depending on the chosen style. The organisers do not make any specific recommendations on tyre choice or other equipment details, but the high proportion of gravel and dirt roads suggests the need for off-road tyres. The option to choose between hotel accommodation and camping allows participants to determine the amount of luggage they wish to carry.