By the light of the moon: restaurants and inns of the Jura entice winter guests by offering moonlight treks through the wilderness, which culminate in a hearty and traditional Swiss meal served up hot upon arrival. Swiss News explores some of the most popular routes sure to hone your appetite this season.

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Imagine trekking through the snow by the light of a full moon in a magical winter wonderland. Your destination: a cosy chalet reachable only by foot or cross-country skis. Your reward: a feast of fondue, wine, dessert and maybe a salad, depending on your chef's fancy. Regardless of which destination you choose, you're certain to experience a night to remember among the pine trees and moonlight shadows, as the snow crunches beneath your feet.

Such nocturnal adventures are one of the highlights of the Jura region of Switzerland's "Jurassic Park", says Isobel Shaw, author of Pakistan Trekking Guide and informal coordinator of wintertime Jura journeys. Shaw, who lives in nearby St. Cergue and organises such outings for friends at least once a year, offers some helpful advice for those who want to experience the Jura by moonlight.

Plan ahead

Most participating restaurants and inns are small and intimate. And, says Shaw, since these wintertime outings are very popular, reservations should be booked well in advance--especially if you're planning to spend the night. She recommends making reservations at least one month in advance.

"You need to confirm the number of people attending as you may have to pay if there is a no-show," she explains.

Consult your lunar calendar 

Another reason to plan ahead is to secure a slot during a full moon night, or another night when the moon is bright.

The best times to choose are when the moon rises before 18:00, which will allow you to walk to the restaurant guided by its light. This means that the best trekking days are those one and two days before the full moon, and the night of the full moon itself--as the moon rises later each successive evening.

Also, be aware that at certain phases of the moon, you could end up setting out for the restaurant in the dark. But regardless, you will get to walk home by moonlight--important after partaking in wine and local liqueurs!

Dates and times for full moons to rise this winter are December 12 at 16:18, January 11 at 17:43, February 9 at 17:59, March 11 at 19:26 and April 9 at 20:55.

Dressing for dinner

Nighttime winter temperatures in the Jura can range anywhere between 0[degrees] and -15[degrees]C. So, prepare for hikes by bringing a flashlight, and wearing a hat, warm boots, ski pants, a sweater and jacket. Shaw suggests dressing in layers since the restaurants are always warm, and tend to get even warmer after the joy of an evening meal.

The average cost of a fondue dinner--with mushrooms or tomatoes--and wine is about SFr 45 to 50 per person. But remember, if you share a second or third bottle of wine, costs can climb quickly.

Hot spots and how to find them

The La Givrine train station in Canton Vaud makes an ideal starting point for full moon excursions. From the station, no less than five restaurants serve as final destinations to welcome you with a warm meal after your ethereal journey. Here's a look at some of my favourites.

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Le Vermeilley: This is one of the most popular restaurants on the moonlight walking circuit, and it's not reachable by car. Le Vermeilley gets transformed into a restaurant in the winter, after serving as a genuine cowshed for the cows that spend their summers grazing in the adjoining pastures.

Dinner is served in a nearby yurt (a circular, portable dwelling made from wooden lattice-flames) specially erected for the winter. It also provides accommodations for overnight guests. House specialities include La croute du Dahu (raclette cheese served with bacon and onions) and fondue.

You reach Le Vermeilley after a four-kilometre walk from the railway station at La Givrine in the direction of Col de Marchairuz, either along the cross-country ski trail or the snowshoe and walking trail. These are two different trails, and a small fee is required to use the cross-country ski trail, while the walking trail is flee. To avoid damaging the tracks, visitors should not walk along the cross-country ski trail.

Le Vermeilley is open from November to April, and the chef is taking reservations now: + 41 (0)79 205 15 90. The restaurant has confirmed it will be open during the December through March full-moon cycles, but also notes that the February cycle is already filling up. Reservations can be made for small parties, as well as for groups up to 25 per party. And the owner assures us that children and dogs are welcome.

Les Pralets: For the more energetic, Les Pralets is another four kilometres past Le Vermeilley in the direction of the Col de Marchairuz. The beaten footpath ends at Le Vermeilley, so you will need skis or snowshoes to continue.

Les Pralets' rustic charm features fondue dinners and a light buffet service of soup, sandwiches and snacks as well as overnight accommodations. Rates are reasonable for the 21 dormitory beds, fondue, fruit salad and breakfast the next morning, at SFr 36 per person. A moonlight walk is planned for March 13, 2009, when the moon will rise at 21:54, so an overnight stay is advised.

Les Pralets is open on weekends from December to Easter. Reservations are necessary: [phone], or check out the website at www.lagamelle.com.

Buvette la Genoliere: For those with less energy, another destination option from La Givrine is the Buvette la Genoliere, located about halfway to Le Vermeilley at just 2.5 kilometres from the railway station and along the cross-country ski trail or snowshoe and walking trail toward the Col de Marchairuz.

The menu offers a wide variety of favourites including fondue for SFr 23, rosti for SFr 17, a bottle of white wine for SFr 26.50 and a bottle of red wine for SFr 31. They also serve croute au fromage (bread dipped in white wine, sprinkled with cheese and served with pickles and onions), a croute aux champignons (toast served with a flesh mushroom sauce) and the assiette Jura--a local speciality known as the 'Jura Plate', comprised of enough sausage and dried meat for up to four adults. This location also features a fine selection of alcoholic dessert coffees.

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Buvette la Genoliere is open from November to April, but closed Sunday evenings. Reservations can be made by calling the owner, Werner Staub: [phone].

Refuge de la Trelasse: On the other side of the road from La Givrine railway station is the Refuge de la Trelasse, about 600 metres from the railway station on foot, snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Its old, open fireplace is welcoming, and just as welcome is the baked and succulent Fondue Vacherin Mont d'Or--a fondue made with the baked rich cow cheese known as Vacherin Mont d'Or.

As a unique treat, the owners also offer night outings on snowshoes, a perfect opportunity to "look at animal tracks in the snow", says Shaw. The restaurant is open from late October to March. Reservations can be made through its website at www.latrelasse.ch, or by calling: + 41 (0)22 560 12 89.

Cuvaloup de Crans: A somewhat secret spot, which doesn't appear on all of the brochures, is the Cuvaloup de Crans.

In this writer's opinion, it makes the best fondue. Regardless of the fact that it has less atmosphere (the ceiling is too high and the fireplace isn't very attractive) than some of the others. But as Shaw confirms, people "like it very much and the proprietor is cheerful and friendly". Prices are right too with the fondue for SFr 25, a large plate of dried meats for four people at SFr 26 and homemade pies for SFr 6.

Cuvaloup de Crans is open year round. You can call for reservations at: [phone]. To get there, go to Les Pralies train stop just before the La Givrine stop. It is a healthy 50-minute walk by foot or with snowshoes in the winter and an easy drive in spring and summer. And, it's definitely worth it.

Lastly, there is the Restaurant La Givrine ([phone], closed on Monday and Tuesday nights) located right beside the railway station at La Givrine. Here you can enjoy the moon glinting on the snow and a more extensive menu, without having to walk more than 100 metres.

So, whatever you choose, enjoy your outing and bon appetit in the magical, moonlit winter wonderland!

Moonlight outings across Switzerland

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Switzerland's Alpine wonderland provides a wealth of opportunities for moonlight walking, sledding and skiing/boarding. A good place to start looking for options closer to home is the Swiss Tourism portal, www.myswitzerland.com or the homepage of your favourite ski resort.