Balsthal - Hauenstein

Markings: signposts with sticker no. 5 on a green background (Jura Höhenweg).

(S) From your campsite, return to the signpost at the end of Tiergartenweg, then turn left and head south-east, following the signs for Roggenflue. At the fork, take the right-hand path leading to the Erzmatt forest. Cross the forest following the forest path that leads you eastwards to a cross.

(1) At the fork in front of the cross, bear right, continuing towards Roggenflue, and continue to the signpost at the crossroads.

(2) Turn left to the south-east and continue to the edge of the woods.

(3) Turn right to follow the edge of the woods, then head left towards the south/south-west across the pasture. Ignore the Roggenweg path and continue south to the signpost at the crossroads.

(4) Turn left (southeast) onto the tree-lined path and continue to the signpost at the crossroads.

(5) Follow the direction of Roggenflue by continuing straight ahead, go through a gate, then take the zigzag path to the cross on the Roggenflue (995 m). There, you can admire the view of the entire plateau and two of the highest peaks in the Swiss Jura.

(6) Return to the path and continue north-east towards Tiefmatt/Belchenflue/Hauenstein. Descend slightly on a path that crosses a beech forest. Continue to the viewpoint called Roggenrain (962 m).

(7) Continue downhill through the beech forest to reach Roggenschnarz, a rocky peak with a climbing site.

(8) Descend via a steeper path marked by hundreds of steps. Ignore the side paths and follow the signs for Tiefmatt/Hauenstein to reach the Auberge Bergwirtschaft Tiefmatt.

(9) At the signpost after the restaurant, head towards Schlosshöchi/Hauenstein. At the fork, continue on the left-hand path, then continue to the end of the left-hand bend.

(10) Turn right (north-east) onto the slightly uphill gravel path. Follow this path through the Schlosshöchi pastures, where you can see the ruins of Alt-Bechburg Castle on your left. Continue in this direction until you reach the crossroads near a high-voltage power line.

(11) At the signpost, head east towards Hauenstein, descend, then climb back up towards the northeast until you reach a dry stone wall southeast of an alpine farm. Cross this wall and continue climbing northwards to the Stelli clearing. From there, begin a descent on a forest path heading north-east to join the Rainweg path. Follow this path to the signpost.

(12) Turn left at a hairpin bend, following the signs for Bärenwil/Hauenstein. At a right-hand bend, continue descending north-east until you reach Bärenwilerstrasse at the entrance to Bärenwil.

(13) Turn left to cross the village, pass the Chilchli Bärenwil restaurant, then turn right at the stop sign and immediately left at the signpost towards Rüteli/Hauenstein. At the fork, continue straight ahead towards the north-east to pass the hamlet of Rüteli before arriving at the signpost near a bench.

(14) Turn left towards the north-west to follow Asp/Hauenstein, then continue to the bridge crossing the Cholerbach stream.

(15) Ignore the path on the right and continue straight ahead towards the north. At the fork, take the path on the left that leads north/north-west. Stay on this path and ignore the crossroads, following the signs for Hauenstein until you reach the barbecue area.

(16) Follow the path straight ahead towards the north-west. At the fork, turn right towards the north-east and continue climbing until you reach the signpost at the intersection.

(17) Turn right, then immediately left (north-east) towards Wuesthöchi/Hauenstein. Ignore the side paths and continue north-east until you reach the signpost at a three-way junction.

(18) Turn right (east) to reach a pasture. Continue to the crossroads at Wuesthöchi (elevation 967).

(19) Turn left (north-west) and continue climbing until you reach the crossroads at the entrance to the woods (elevation 1002).

(20) Take the^second path on the right, heading northeast, to begin a steep descent, then continue climbing until you reach the intersection with the Gwidem path.

(21) Turn right to the northeast and continue to the signpost at Gwidemhöchi (elevation 998).

(22) Turn left onto the path with steps towards Belchenflue/Hauenstein, then finish the climb to reach a fork at the Belchen-Süd signpost (1045 m).

(23) A detour to Belchenflue is a must here, offering magnificent views of the Plateau and Basel-Landschaft (20 minutes round trip). Turn left towards Belchenflue and climb to the summit via a staircase carved into the rock and secured by railings.

(24) After admiring the exceptional panoramic view of the Black Forest, the Vosges and the Alps, carefully descend to rejoin the path at the Belchen-Süd signpost.

(23) Turn left (north-east) towards Challhöchi/Hauenstein. You will take the "Belchen-Südstrasse", a well-maintained path that was once used for the fortifications built during the First World War, with coats of arms engraved in the rock. Pass a cave and continue downhill towards the north-east on this paved path to La Fourche (altitude 926).

(25) Continue straight ahead, descending towards the east, and continue to the intersection near a high-voltage pylon.

(26) Continue straight ahead to the northeast, then head north. After the left-hand bend, continue to the signpost at the intersection with Neuhofstrasse.

(27) Continue straight ahead on Neuhofstrasse, which slopes slightly downwards. Pass some anti-tank obstacles and old concrete blocks, then you will come to a barrier.

(28) Turn left, then quickly right at the signpost, following the direction of Hauenstein. At the fork, take the right-hand path, then stay on this wide path until the intersection at elevation 838, ignoring all side paths.

(29) Continue straight ahead downhill towards the north-east until you reach the signpost at the hamlet of Kesselberg.

(30) Continue straight ahead, north-east on the forest road, following the signs for Hauenstein. Descend to the junction with Lantelstrasse.

(31) Turn right and walk eastwards to the stop sign in the village of Hauenstein.

(32) Turn left, walk past the wash house, then continue to the fire station (Feuerwehr). Turn right and follow Hauptstrasse until you reach the bend at the end of the village. At the fire hydrant, turn right and walk a few metres to reach Schlaf im Stroh (E), a farm that welcomes hikers.

Remember to bring cash with you, as credit cards are not always accepted in the mountains!
Food available at the Auberge Bergwirtschaft Tiefmatt (9), Restaurant Chilchli Bärenwil (13) and Restaurant Alti Schmitte (E).
No supplies available.
No camping, but there is a farmthat welcomes hikers where you can sleep in a dormitory or ask for a place to set up your bivouac. Food and sanitary facilities are available on site.
Tel: +41326653511 Information: https://neumatt1.ch/

This route was created by the author on 30/08/2025

Numerous viewpoints along the entire route.
(6) Roggenflue
(8) Roggenschnarz
(24) Belchenflue: at an altitude of 1,099 metres, the highest point of the Belchenflue (or Swiss Ballon) offers a unique panoramic view of the Black Forest, the Vosges and the Alps. In Celtic times, it was used as a landmark to determine the position of the sun, and during the First World War, it was an important observation post for the Hauenstein fortress.