Great great riding in the Franches Montagnes

Franches Montagnes are a rider's paradise. The AREF has established more then 150km of signposted riding trails, with easy to be opened gates from top of a horse, a map with an overview of all the routes, and numerous places where you and your horse can stay overnight.

Our favourite place to rent horses is with the Restaurant Guillaume Tell in Le Cernil, just below Les Reussilles (about 10 min. walk along the train station from Les Reussilles on the main road to Saignelegier). They offer a wide range from pure Franche Montagnes Horses (Muschka and Makumba come recommended as reliable and strong horses also for heavier men riders), to more lively and elagant mixtures (Lina, half Franche Montagnes, half thorough bred or Milene, half blood come highly recommended). Horses are well kept, of good character, and rather affordable to rent: 20Sfr. per hour non accompanied, 25SFr. per hour accompanied. The stable is simple, at times one is expected to clean and prepare the horses yourself, but for this price we are more than ready to put a hand on ourselves. For reservations call Restaurant Guillaume Tel. 032 487 67 67. If you reserve well in advance, it is good to call half a day before again as a reminder and confirmation, particularley if weather forcast is not all that good.

Vor an overvieew on the signposted routes: www.aref.ch

And if you are a horse fan and happen to be in Muriaux (a village next to Saignelegier, on the La Chaux de Fonds-Glovelier train line) on the second week end of February, then do not miss on the winter version of the Marche Concours! Dressed up like Russian Tsars, parallel sledges run to the sounds of dramatic music great to watch, or you let yourself draw on skis by horses!