Étang de la Gruère
Saignelégier, Switzerland
A dark peat-bog lake ringed by spruce and birch, with a path around it of about an hour. Keep to the trail: the bog is protected.
Étang de la Gruère is a dammed peat-bog lake in the Swiss canton of Jura, near Saignelégier on the Franches-Montagnes plateau at around 1,000 metres. The pond was created in the 17th century (1650 according to MySwitzerland) by a dam that flooded part of the raised bog and supplied water to a mill; a sawmill later used the water until 1952.
The bog formed some 13,000 years ago after a glacier retreated. It is one of the bogs of national importance, and peat was cut until 1943. Today the area is protected as a nature reserve of about 120 hectares. A hiking trail with boardwalks and bridges leads through the landscape.
For road trippers: the Étang draws 100,000 to 150,000 visitors a year and is considered the most visited spot in the Jura. Stay on the marked paths; the peninsula is off limits, and picking mushrooms and blueberries is prohibited. Because of ongoing planning, paths and rules may change (as of October 2026, check ahead).
- Nearest town
- Saignelégier, Switzerland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 47.2381, 7.0506
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Municipal La ForgeCampsite8 km from Étang de la GruèreTentsCaravansDrinking waterWi-Fi
- TaricheCampsite13 km from Étang de la GruèreTentsCaravansShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Les Grands ChampsCampsite20 km from Étang de la GruèreTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping ErlachCampsite22 km from Étang de la GruèreTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Wohnmobilstellplatz OrpundMotorhome stopover23 km from Étang de la Gruère · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping chez l'habitantCampsite24 km from Étang de la GruèreTentsShowersToilets
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Étang de la Gruère?
Étang de la Gruère is in Saignelégier, Switzerland, at GPS 47.2381, 7.0506. It is about 16 km from St-Ursanne.
Can you camp near Étang de la Gruère?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stellplatz Les Mottes, Le Bémont, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 69 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Étang de la Gruère?
Étang de la Gruère is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Swiss Jura: Doubs gorges and the Creux du Van.
What is there to see near Étang de la Gruère?
Places worth a stop nearby: Saut du Doubs (30 km), Creux du Van (42 km), Bern Old Town (44 km) and Hasle-Rüegsau wooden bridge (52 km).
When is the best time to visit Étang de la Gruère?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)