Creux du Van is a vast horseshoe-shaped rock amphitheatre in the Val de Travers, canton of Neuchâtel, with sheer cliffs about 1,400 m wide and roughly 160 m high curving in a semicircle. Carved over tens of thousands of years by glacial and water erosion, it is one of the most dramatic natural sites in the Swiss Jura. The 15.5 km² area is a nature reserve, and Alpine ibex reintroduced in 1965 can often be spotted along the rocky rim. As of 2026 it remains freely open, and it is best experienced as a day hike reached by train from Neuchâtel.
The horseshoe cliff wall — about 1,400 m wide and 160 m high — best taken in from the rim near the Le Soliat summit
Wildlife along the rocks: Alpine ibex (reintroduced 1965, around 20 animals), chamois and marmots
The summit panorama — on clear days it stretches over Lake Neuchâtel to the Alps and Mont Blanc
Fontaine Froide, a cold spring near the base that stays at roughly 4°C year-round
La Ferme Robert (1750), a historic mountain inn at the foot, and the classic zig-zag 'Sentier des 14 Contours' switchback trail
Good to know
SafetyThe cliff edge has almost no railings or fences and the drop reaches about 160 m. Step well back when taking photos, and keep away from the rim entirely if you are with children or a dog.
SafetyThe '14 Contours' trail up from Noiraigue is a serious, steep hike: about 14 km round trip, 4–5 hours and over 700 m of ascent. Bring proper hiking shoes, plenty of water and snacks — services and phone signal near the top are limited.
SeasonThe best window is June to October. The rim sits near 1,400 m, so carry a waterproof, windproof layer even in summer; when fog rolls in, visibility toward the cliff disappears and it becomes very dangerous — don't push on.
SeasonIn winter snow and ice make the trails very slippery and some sections require snowshoes. If it's your first visit, avoid hiking here alone in winter.
RulesThis is a nature reserve. Stay on the marked trails; wild camping, bivouacking, campfires, barbecues and drone flights are prohibited. Do not pick plants or make loud noise that disturbs the wildlife.
MannersSuckler cows graze on the high pastures and can be aggressive, so bringing a dog is strongly discouraged. If you must, keep it leashed, always close pasture gates behind you, and never feed or approach the ibex.
CautionVisiting Creux du Van is free and there is no official entry ticket. Ignore anyone charging an 'entrance fee' or selling overpriced tours, and keep an eye on your belongings on trains and at transfer stations such as Neuchâtel.
Practical info
The classic approach is by train to Noiraigue station, then up on foot via the 'Sentier des 14 Contours' (a loop of about 4.5–5 hours). For an easier option you can drive or take a bus from the Saint-Aubin / Couvet side up toward Le Soliat (Ferme du Soliat, 1,382 m) and reach the viewpoint on a short walk. Access is free with no ticket; inn and restaurant hours and train timetables vary by season, so always check the latest information before you go.
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