On a Roman Road from Tavannes to Soncezoz: the Famous Pierre Pertruis

From Tavannes, follow the signposted hiking trail direction Sonceboz. You pass Tavannes Mills, with an old milling stone next to the historical building, the source of the Birse river, and then squeeze pass the new Tavannes - Biel highway, to reach the Roman road. The entire hike from Tavannes to Sonceboz more or less along the trasse of the Roman road, takes about 1h. From Sonceboz you can continue on the signposted trail direction La Heutte, and discover more signs of the Roman Road at Le Tournedos, just 10Min out of Sonceboz. If you continue, passing the Metaillerie de Nidau, you can also discover the Dinosaur footprints - see separate blog.

The route of the Roman Road from Studen to Tavannes and further direction Basel on a oversight map - you can enlarge by klicking on the photo!

The road is said to be almost 2000years old, leading off the main Roman Road in Studen, squeezing up from Biel over Pierre Pertruis, up the Valley of Reconvillier, through the gorge of Court and then North direction Basel. Look at the size - some 5m wide!

Here the man made tunnel of the Roman road, that made is so famous - some claim the Roman inscription above the tunnel (under the little roof) is only 200 years old. It is said to say:

Zum göttlichen Ruhm der Herrscher wurde diese Strasse (oder dieser Viadukt) von Marcus Dunius Paternus, Vize-Magistrat der Helvetischen Kolonie (Aventicum) angelegt.

For the scale: see tiny little Castor sitting under the tunnel!

Another blogger is saying that the resemblance of the rock to the had of a badger has given the name to Tavannes, in German "Dachsfelden", the field of the badger - more about it on

http://www.dillum.ch/html/pierre_pertuis_felsbogen.htm

The only negative aspect of this beautiful historical hike: it follows the Cantonal road. However, since the highway goes through the tunnel, there is very little traffic on the Cantonal Road.

The Roman Road descending to Sonceboz is said to be under this forest track.

Watch out for the majestic Couronne Hotel in Sonceboz, or the cosy "Morning Coffee Shop" (as the name says, only open from 8 to 12 am) in the centre of town. Or if you fancy Chinese Food after wandering on Roman roads, head to the Senk Hok Buffet at the Station in Sonceboz!

The trails at Tournedos with explanations - again klick at the photo to enlarge!

Chasseral - a welcome home ski tour in the Jura

To: A bus from Biel connects to Le Grillon ski lifts via Orvin (you can also get on the bus in Frinvillier-Taubenloch) arriving 9.20 in the morning;
Return: There are numerous possible descents from Chasseral; we descended to Cortebert in the St. Immier Valley, from where regional trains connect hourly towards Sonceboz-Biel or La Chaux de Fonds.
Route: Given the avalanche situation, we chose a very safe route, however did not slide all the way down due to high levels of snow; Good route for snow shoers, however;
From the skilift station climb the road towards Chasseral, pass the Metaillerie de Preles, and the turn off to the Bison Farm. Shortly afterwards, where the road turns sharp to the right (East) leave the road and gently climb up on the ridge towards Cledar de Pierrefeu. Follow the ridge all the way to the Antenna. Follow the ridge another 200m towards the restaurant, then leave the ridge and follow a small road descending North into the col between grand and petit Chasseral. Descent along the ridge of the Petit Chasseral direction East towards the Metaillerie du Milieu de Bienne, then keep North through a narrow valley to the Petit Douanne. From there follow the road to Les Goguelisses Dessous, from where the road is ploughed, and allowing an easy descent into Cortebert, given enough snow, directly on the railway platform.

On December 13, after several days of steady snow and low cloud the weather changed. We took the decision to ski Chasseral knowing that at some point we would break through the cloud and have tremendous views of the Alps. Little did we realise what awaited us - a panorama from the Rhone Valley and Mont Blanc in the West round to the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and on to the East and the Appenzell. It was a fantastic ski along the ridge. It was our earliest ever ski tour in the winter season. It was also Castor's first real alpine tour and at times I think he thought we were mad. For a Tanzanian dog the picture of him coated in wind-blown snow is special. Within an hour after returning home I was on the train to Zurich and a flight to Dubai. It was a very, very special day. Thanks K.