Sornetan: Hiking, Village History and Landscapes in the Petit-Val

Sornetan is a locality in the municipality of Petit-Val, in the Bernese Jura administrative district of the canton of Bern. The farming village lies on a spur on the northern slope of the Mont Moron range of the Jura, around 100 metres above the floor of the Sorne valley. Petit-Val is a basin in the Bernese Jura; Moutier is about 12 kilometres to the west as the crow flies. Hiking trails, cycling routes, rural landscapes and religious heritage offer different ways to shape a stay.

Hiking trails with different stages

The ViaJura from Sornetan to Sonceboz is 15 kilometres long. The walk takes around four hours and involves 400 metres of ascent. From Sornetan, the route first enters the forest and climbs the densely wooded northern slope of the Moron to around 1,000 metres before leading to expansive Jura meadows. It is rated technically easy, but requires a moderate level of fitness. The season and weather can affect trail conditions; take both into account when planning.

For a shorter hike, the Sentier du bonheur is a separate option: this easy, family-friendly trail is four kilometres long and takes about an hour. It starts at Sornetan church and has eight stations with interactive activities about the five senses and the four elements. Its playful and meditative character offers a different focus from the ViaJura, where distance, elevation gain and scenery take centre stage.

A 1,300-metre section of the Sentier du bonheur between the church and the forest hut is accessible to people with disabilities. This information applies to the section named; maintenance and weather can affect accessibility. This means you can choose your route not only by walking time, but also by the specific section.

By mountain bike, on horseback or on a sled

Mountain bike route no. 861 Petit-Val starts and ends in Sornetan. It is 19 kilometres long, with 688 metres of ascent and descent, and takes around three hours and ten minutes. Forests, pastures and valleys shape the route through Petit-Val. A connection to route 867 also offers a way to reach the Tour de Moron. Seasonal closures and maintenance conditions should be taken into account when planning.

The Chemin du Pasteur Frêne also connects places and activities: it leads from Sornetan to Châtelat and is part of the Franches-Montagnes bridle path network. An information board and picnic area mark its starting point. In winter, the road east of the village is reserved for sledders and closed to all road traffic. The Les Najoux toboggan run is located there; its use depends on winter conditions.

Church and local tradition

Sornetan’s church, or temple, was built between 1708 and 1709; the church and its surroundings were classified as historic monuments in 1963. The single-nave Reformed church retains its original arrangement of pulpit and pews. It is also used for concerts and exhibitions; the specific event programme may vary. Its construction date, preserved interior layout and cultural use offer a different focus from the trails through the landscape.

The Caillou de Sornetan is another local feature: this rare erratic quartzite boulder is more than two metres long and has two hollows on its southern side. People in the surrounding rural communities revere the stone; the site was therefore named Pré du Caillou. Here, a geological feature meets a longstanding local tradition.

Landscapes of Petit-Val

Below Sornetan, the Sorne flows through the Gorges de Pichoux at Le Pichoux. The gorge is a typical Jura cluse, with striking rock faces and ridges; its southern part lies within Sornetan. Alongside the forests, pastures and Jura meadows found along the routes, these distinctive rock formations are another feature of the area’s landscape.

Discover more destinations: Saules, Rokwiler.

Return to the regional travel overview: Bern.