At 1,607 meters, the Chasseral is one of the most striking and highest peaks in the Swiss Jura. It is located in the canton of Bern, near the border with the canton of Neuchâtel, and is often referred to as the “Balcony of the Jura.” The view from the Chasseral is magnificent, offering a panoramic vista of the Alps stretching from the Säntis to the summit of Mont Blanc. At the foot of the Chasseral lies the Lake District, home to Lake Biel, Lake Neuchâtel, and Lake Murten. The mountain is situated in the heart of the Chasseral Nature Park and serves as the starting point for numerous hikes, such as the Jura High Trail.
You can reach the summit by car via a mountain pass, either from Lake Biel or from St-Imier. The road is generally open from May to October. In the summer, a hiking bus also runs from St-Imier or Biel.
Near the summit is the Hotel Restaurant Chasseral, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. The restaurant offers a wide variety of regional specialties and regularly hosts events related to sports, culture, and music. In addition, guests can stay in cozy hotel rooms or in a dormitory. This is a rewarding experience, thanks to the sunrises and sunsets, which offer an incomparable spectacle of light over the Alps and the three lakes. Since there is hardly any artificial light on the Chasseral, it is one of the best places for stargazing in northern Switzerland. From up here, the Milky Way appears breathtaking, and numerous shooting stars can also be observed on dark nights.
Homepage: https://chasseral-hotel.ch/
Upcoming events:
May 8 – First Astronomy Evening on Chasseral https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/fuehrungen-vortraege/vortrag/1-astronomie-abend-chasseral-1-soiree-astronomique-7422417987196455152.html
August 12 – Partial solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/fuehrungen-vortraege/vortrag/2-astronomie-abend-chasseral-2-soiree-astronomique-7422419026838601796.html
September 12 – September is the best month to observe the Milky Way https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/fuehrungen-vortraege/vortrag/3-astronomie-abend-chasseral-3-soiree-astronomique-7422419027409027176.html