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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This first stage of the Chemin du Jura begins in Delémont, the capital of the Canton of Jura. You will cross this pretty medieval town. A forest path will take you to a plateau offering a view of the Jura mountain range. Before descending to Lake Lucelle, you can enjoy another panoramic view at the Grande Roche. The village of Lucelle in Switzerland no longer has any accommodation, so you will make a short detour into Alsace, to the commune of Lucelle in France, where you can stay at the Auberge du Petit Kolhberg.

A pleasant route for exploring the canton of Jura. This five-day itinerary will take you through the canton's three districts: Delémont, Porrentruy and the Franches Montagnes.

This hike takes place in the Swiss Jura mountains, in the canton of Solothurn, right on the border with France near Kiffis. Varied landscapes in beautiful, well-maintained natural surroundings. The path first runs along La Lucelle, then winds its way up and down hills, passing isolated farms at high altitude, pastures that tumble down to the valley floor and passes that offer breathtaking views of this part of the Jura. A very beautiful route, not to be missed.

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.

Fourteenth stage From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura ridges. This relatively short stage takes you from the lowest pass in the Jura, the Staffelegg, offering breathtaking views of the Herzberg, Asperstrihe and Wasserfluh. You then cross vast alpine-style pastures before entering the peaceful Linnerberg forest. Take the time to stop in front of the majestic Linn Linden Tree, a legendary tree over 700 years old, with a circumference of over eleven metres, which has survived three fires. The hike continues with a long descent through the impressive Aare Gorge, finally leading to the charming historic town of Brugg, rich in heritage and atmosphere.

This family hike takes you to the majestic Gros Chêne de Sondersdorf. Entirely in the forest, it passes through the Raedersdorf Discovery Trail, decorated with around fifty (or more) wooden sculptures and dotted with educational panels that are sure to interest children. Best done in dry weather in any season.If you only want to do the discovery trail and see the sculptures, see Practical Information.

Starting from Linsdorf, between forest and fields, the route climbs to the Eichwald plateau, alternating between woods and fields, leading successively to the Abri de la Fuste, on the heights of Bettlach, and the Sentier des Casemates, connecting three imposing forts of the Maginot Line. The Casemates Trail is dotted with information panels explaining the history of the Maginot Line. The route also offers beautiful views of the Ill Valley and the Jura Mountains.

On the edge of the Petite Camargue Alsacienne is a quiet residential area that is part of the Saint-Louis conurbation: Neuweg. It is well worth a visit and, at the end of the walk, you will come to a small forest where you can learn more about water along a discovery trail.

This is a small nature trail made by the city of Saint-Louis. It passes through the 3 of drinking water catchment points in the city where 535 cubic metres of water are pumped every hour and then stored in a 6000-metre-cubed tank. The trail has a dozen panels explaining the difficulties of supplying drinking water and the surrounding environments.