Run a cross-country skiing legend – the Transju' Trail

The Transju' Trail is a legendary cross-country ski race. Created in 1979, it’s one of the world's leading long-distance events in this discipline. The principle is simple: cross the Jura massif.

In 2007, due to the lack of snow, the organisers decided to create a trail version of the event. Over the years, the event has established itself as a not-to-be-missed event in the Jura mountains, with almost 2,000 participants.

In 2023, the organisers offered four races for adults, plus a non-timed, unclassified hike. These are the routes I am presenting to you in this Collection, with a few adjustments to avoid the off-piste sections of the official route. I also wanted to add the historic 72-kilometre (45 mi) race, which unfortunately is not on the programme for 2023. Nevertheless, I wanted to include it because it's the distance that most closely resembles the legendary cross-country skiing event.

The first half crosses the heights of the Val de Mouthe, with pretty views below. Then, at Hauts de Bienne, the course joins up with the 42-kilometre (26 mi) route and takes you through the gorges of the Bienne. At Prémanon, it's back to the 25-kilometre (40 mi) course. This is the heart of the Transju' Trail races, with the iconic passage to the summit of La Dôle and a superb view of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. The hike also follows these paths. Finally, you reach Les Rousses, where all the events finish. The 5- and 10-kilometre (3 and 6 mi) events are concentrated around the resort. Whatever the distance, the scenery is superb. The only problem if you do them off-road is transport, as the start and finish points are often different.

For the 5- and 10-kilometre (3 and 6 mi) routes, you won't encounter any logistical difficulties as the route is a loop. The 25-kilometre (40 mi) route and the hike can be extended by around 5 kilometres (3 mi) to reach the starting point. The 42-kilometre (26 mi) route also poses no problem, as there is a bus service between Les Rousses and Hauts de Bienne. The 72-kilometre (45 mi) route will require a little more planning because of the distance between the start and finish. One option is to convert it into a 110-kilometre (68 mi) loop to be completed over three days. Depending on the route(s) you wish to complete, it's up to you to choose a base camp. Les Rousses is the common point for all the events and is a good option.

Whatever the distance, remember that you’ll always have a refreshment point at least every 20-25 kilometres (12-16 mi), so pack your trail bag with this in mind. The Jura is characterised by its varied terrain: flat, high valleys contrasting with steep gorges and peaks. It's up to you whether you want to take poles for the steep sections, bearing in mind that there are also plenty of rolling sections. In any case, as well as your trail shoes, always remember to bring a waterproof jacket and to cover up well depending on the season. A cap is also recommended in summer.

A land of Nordic skiing, the Jura is renowned for its snow in winter. To avoid having to put on skis and turn your Transju' Trail into the Transjurassienne, choose the months from May to November. You'll discover superb trails through the forests, mountain pastures and peaks of the region.