Jaun: Gastlosen, village culture and trails

Jaun combines the striking mountain scenery of the Gastlosen with village history and cultural trails. Depending on your interests, you can learn about carved grave crosses and local traditions, plan a hike with mountain views, or discover Jaun in winter via snowy paths and cross-country ski trails.

Village history and cultural trails

The cemetery in Jaun is presented as an open-air museum with twelve displayed grave crosses. The oldest of the crosses dates from 1960. The tradition of carved grave crosses began in 1948, when Walter Cottier designed a cross for his grandfather’s grave. After Cottier’s death in 1995, Reinold Boschung continued the tradition in the spirit of his predecessor. The hand-carved wooden crosses are considered unique works of art in Europe. Their reliefs on the covered crosses often depict a characteristic scene from the deceased’s working life or a particular interest or hobby.

For exploring the village, the three-kilometre «Around Jaun» circular trail leads past cultural monuments and other aspects of the cultural heritage, with fifteen information panels. It complements the Jogne Cultural Trail. Its Charmey–Jaun section has almost sixty descriptive panels at buildings and places associated with living traditions, and reaches Jaun via the Old Church. QR codes on the panels link to translations and additional content, including historical photographs. This allows you to discover both the village’s history and the traditions along the trail as you go.

The Cantorama is housed in Jaun’s former parish church, which dates from the 13th century. Since 1992, it has been home to the Fribourg choral singing centre. Another eye-catching feature in the village centre is the waterfall.

Gastlosen and mountain scenery

The Gastlosen are a striking mountain range associated with Jaun. They are designated a landscape and geotope of national importance; their limestone walls rise almost three hundred metres vertically. The «Tour des Gastlosen» hike starts and ends in Jaun. Along the way, views open up over the Bernese Alps and the Valais four-thousand-metre peaks. Hiking trails run at the foot of the Gastlosen; mountain lifts take visitors directly there.

For the Gastlosen circular tour, the Gastlosen Express takes hikers to the Bärghus, where the tour begins. Along the circular route, there are places to stop for refreshments at the Soldatenhaus mountain lodge and the Chalet Grat alpine inn. From Mauzes Bergle, the return leg of the Tour des Gastlosen to Jaun can be made by chairlift, scooter or on foot. As lift services may vary, it is worth checking return options before setting out. There are also more than eight hundred climbing routes on the Gastlosen range.

Adventure trail and natural phenomena

The Jaun adventure trail starts at the mountain lift’s upper station. This circular route takes about two hours and includes nature stations that encourage children to use their senses, as well as several play stations. It is recommended for children aged six and over who already have hiking experience. As access to the upper station may be seasonal, check the mountain lift operating times before planning your walk.

A special seasonal natural phenomenon can be observed at the Grossmutterloch: in autumn and winter, sunlight shines through the rock opening and casts a moving beam of light on the snow. The spectacle lasts about half an hour. The Grossmutterloch can be seen from the panoramic viewpoint near the chairlift’s upper station.

Winter routes and other activities

In winter, Jaun offers a family-friendly ski area as well as ski touring and snowshoeing routes. Its cross-country ski trails are among the region’s most snow-reliable; there is also a six-kilometre toboggan run. The Nordic Jogne Centre is located in Im Fang, between Charmey and Jaun. It offers twenty kilometres of cross-country ski trails, including four kilometres with night lighting, for both classic and skating styles.

The «Charmey–Im Fang–Jaun» snowshoe route connects the three villages along the Jaunbach, also known as the Jogne. It can be walked in either direction, and there are bus stops along the route. As winter conditions can change, check the latest conditions before your tour. Public transport is also mentioned as an option for travelling to Jaun.

Discover more destinations: Pringy, Villarvolard, Corbières Fr, Pont-La-Ville Fr, Morlon, Echarlens, Châtel-Sur-Montsalvens, Le Pâquier.

For the wider travel overview: Gruyère.