Balsthal walks

Twelfth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. From Balsthal, the route begins with a steady climb to Roggenflue (998 m), offering a breathtaking view of the Swiss Plateau and two giants of the Jura: Mont Tendre and La Dôle. The hike continues through a majestic Jura beech forest, nestled between 600 and 900 metres above sea level, where the tranquillity of the forest accompanies your steps to Roggenschnarz. There, a spectacular descent awaits you: hundreds of steps carved into the slope lead you to the Wishöchi Pass. After this passage, a new ascent guides you to the picturesque hamlet of Bärenwil, before reaching the highest point of the stage: the Belchenflue (1,099 metres). The descent to the southern slope of the Solothurn Jura reveals a landscape steeped in history, dotted with concrete blocks, anti-tank obstacles and bunkers, silent witnesses to Switzerland's fortifications during the two world wars.

A pleasant walk from a typical village in Basel-Landschaft. From Reigoldswil to Wasserfallen, there are green hills, idyllic forests, waterfalls, flower-filled fields, giant objects, llamas and even the highest point in this Swiss canton, with a magnificent view of the Alps.

The Swiss Jura Belchen, the Alsatian Belchen (Ballon d'Alsace) and the Black Forest Belchen all form the peaks of a right-angle triangle, mystical sunrise observation point dating back to Celtic times (Belchen comes from "Belenus" the celtic god of sun). You'll gain access to this exceptional viewpoint through the "Devil's" gorges lined with steep walls, waterfalls, caves and caverns. The way back, along the "military path" is full of vestiges and ends with typical Jura landscapes.

If you're looking for a quiet, cool spot (don't forget your long sleeves, even in summer), you've come to the right place... It's a fairly steep climb, but it's really pretty and peaceful. At the bottom of the gorges, you'll enjoy the cool air...

Stage 13 – From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. This demanding stage takes us over five successive passes: after Hauenstein come Schafmatt, Salhöhe, Bänkerjoch and finally the Staffelegg Pass. Between these passes, the terrain becomes more intense with the ascent of the Geissfluh, a steep peak marking the border of the canton of Basel-Landschaft. The route alternates between dense Jura forests, peaceful clearings and a few open pastures, offering a beautiful variety of landscapes and atmospheres.

A spring walk, a good 19 km warm-up that follows the Aare between Olten and Aarau. Nothing exceptional, but a few lovely stretches along the water’s edge, with plenty of water birds whose song is unfortunately drowned out on several occasions by the railway line, which is never far from the path. The Gösgen nuclear power station is ever-present during the first half of the route, which circles around it.

Discover two small streams full of waterfalls and karst cliffs in Baselland (Basel-Landschaft). Coolness and humidity are guaranteed under the trees and cliffs bordering these small, steep-sided valleys.

Stage 11 From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. On this mainly downhill stage, you leave the green pastures of the Weissenstein and descend towards the Balmberg winter ski area before reaching Bättlerchuchi, a small panoramic plateau offering unobstructed views of the surrounding ridges. You then continue along an old mule track, probably used since Roman times, which leads you to the Schattenberg ridge. This historic passage immerses you in an almost timeless atmosphere. The descent continues along sometimes steep paths, winding through the Jura mountains to Balsthal, nestled on the banks of the Dünnern. This village is a strategic crossroads at the foot of three iconic passes in the Jura mountain range: the Upper Hauenstein, the Passwang and the Scheulte.

A route allowing you to see the heights of Arlesheim via several castles, the Kirschenland (cherry country), the Schartenflue (with its panoramic tower) as well as the Goetheanum and quaint picturesque houses in Dornach.

Landskrön, a castle that was feared until 1814 and is now lovingly maintained by a Franco-Swiss association, and Mariastein, where crowds of pilgrims come to pray every year, are the highlights of this superb walk, which offers beautiful views on both sides of the border.

A short route running along the French-Swiss border, suitable for children aged five and over, through a beautiful forest. A few lovely panoramic views leading to a point of interest, the Biederthal Canyon, a geological formation carved into the limestone rock.

A very beautiful circular route in the heart of the Swiss Jura, straddling the cantons of Basel-Landschaft and Solothurn. You will pass through the charming village of Burg and its medieval-style castle, the Rittimatte, from where you can admire a magnificent panorama stretching from the Vosges to the Black Forest. You will then cross over to the other side of the Raemelsberg to admire the spectacular scenery from the ruins of the Blauenstein before climbing up towards the Challpass. A very pleasant walk alternating between forests and pastures.

A walk along the banks of the Rhine, close to the water’s edge and across the river. It runs from Germany to Switzerland via a bridge and an island, and from Switzerland to Germany via the Rheinfelden dam. There are numerous vantage points along the way, including a section through the old town of Rheinfelden (CH).

In 1805, Napoleon and Francis I of Austria imposed the border on the Rhine. Rheinfelden then became Rheinfelden Baden, a German industrial town, and Rheinfelden Argovie, a Swiss spa town.The route runs along the German bank, which is equipped with viewing platforms and benches, to the hydroelectric dam and then along the more wooded Swiss bank. Return via the historic town and its old bridge, the Altebrücke.

The Raemel mountain range, two kilometres long, blocks the horizon and rises to an altitude of 832 metres. It is the highest point in the Alsatian Jura, accessible via a picturesque limestone ridge, the Sentier des douaniers or smugglers' path, which follows the French-Swiss border. This is a fairly challenging walk, but it offers magnificent views of the Swiss Jura.

The Raemel massif forms the northernmost foothills of the Jura. The highest point is the eponymous summit, also known as Raemelspitz, which rises to 831 metres. From the viewing platform, there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. Almost the entire route runs through woodland. Only the last 5 kilometres pass through orchards. Apart from the panoramic views, there are several points of interest along the route, including the Biederthal Gorges and the Lutter Spring.

The Eptingen family, who had already settled on the edge of the Sundgau region in the 14th century, owned both Hagenthal and Neuwiller, where they lived in comfortable castles. This walk crosses their former seigneury and passes through a one-kilometre-wide bottleneck between the borders, as Neuwiller forms a sort of French peninsula on Swiss territory. Text by Marc Glotz taken from the Sundgau hiking guide.

A walk partly through the forest and partly in open countryside on the heights of Hagenthal-le-Haut. Several benches and picnic spots along the route. On the return journey, beautiful views of the Jura, Basel, Chrischona and the surrounding hills.