Belchenflue mountain through the "Devil" gorges

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.

Technical sheet

120332
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 781 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 772 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,066 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 441 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Start from the car park next to the Coop shop, 4614 Haegendorf Eigasse 9, an alley located at the corner of Bachstrasse. At the other end of the car park, a path leads to Schluchtweg (The Gorges Trail).

Take a left, following the signs indicating "Tufelsschlucht". You'll get to the gorges after a picnic area and a small pond.

(1) 1km further, leave the bridge to the right which will be the way back. Continue from one bank to the other of Cholersbach along a narrow canyon with waterfalls, caves and gaps carved into the rock. After about 2 km of this fascinating trail, take a few steps leading to a 2 way crossing. Cross over to the left on the Oberi Schlucht trail which heads through a forest, uphill towards Allerheiligenberg (2).

When you get to a clearing, the trail leads to a paved sector, Allerheiligenstrasse, heading towards the Bergwirtschaft restaurant. You can also get there along a path on the left (3) over 200 m then right heading up to the terrace.

Head back on the path to the left, alongside a clinic getting to a forest trail heading for the Belchen (4).
After 300 m, take the gate to the right (5) leading you on a pathway through a clearing to the Gwindemflue ridge (alt. 1000 m).

Then head down to the Gwidemhöchi crossing (6) and take the trail on the left which leads up towards the Belchen. You'll be following the "Chemin des Crêtes du Jura" (Jura ridge path). It's a tough climb but the trail is well laid-out.

(7) When you get to the crossing, leave the path on your right, which will be the way back, and continue towards Belchenflue. After 100 m, a small track to the right takes you up to a stunning 360° panoramic view. (8). Start heading back down (7) and steer left.

The way back starts along the old military path. The rocks are covered with blazons and inscriptions recalling the Swiss defence during World War I. After 2 km of a mild downhill slope, you'll catch a glimpse of the Chambersberg hamlet on the right-hand side of the valley.

(9) Now take the downhill paved road to the right heading to the path that leads to Bergrestaurant where you can have a drink and a meal. Take the track behind the restaurant through a meadow which can be wet here and there leading to a wooded area then a small road and heading down to the right of a rocky wall. Head towards Rickenbach flowing to the right.

(10) At the crossing, keep going straight ahead. The Rickenbach is on your left. 500 m later, near the A2, make your way uphill through the forest to the right towards Hägendorf and Gnöd. When leaving the small village Gnöd, a sign will indicate the Tüfelsschucht direction. 1 km further, cross Allerheiligerstrasse getting to the forest and leading to the gorges.

You'll find the path you took at the beginning of the hike at point (1), keep going left towards Oeliweg (11) which you need to take to the right and which leads to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 441 m - Coop car park
  2. 1 : km 1.48 - alt. 593 m - Footbridge and entrance to the gorges
  3. 2 : km 2.52 - alt. 689 m - Chemin de l'Oberi Schlucht
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 817 m - Path to the Bergwirtschaft restaurant
  5. 4 : km 4.26 - alt. 908 m - Take the forest track on the right
  6. 5 : km 4.51 - alt. 957 m - Turn right through the gate towards Gwimdenflue
  7. 6 : km 6.22 - alt. 995 m - Gwidemhöchi crossroads
  8. 7 : km 6.46 - alt. 1,053 m - Belchen pass
  9. 8 : km 6.72 - alt. 1,058 m - Belchenflue
  10. 9 : km 8.77 - alt. 923 m - Towards Chambersberg
  11. 10 : km 11.4 - alt. 649 m - Straight on at the crossroads
  12. 11 : km 14.39 - alt. 460 m - Oeliweg, right
  13. S/E : km 14.69 - alt. 441 m - Coop car park

Practical information

Waymarks provided by signs indicating places or sites and also "Wanderweg" diamond shaped markings.

Work on the tunnel entrance blocks access to a path which follows Rickenwald to the left-hand side from point (10). When given the chance, it provides a beautiful trip back through forests along the stream up to the first houses of Hägendorf.

Restaurants: Bergwirtschaf and Chamberberg.

Shelter: after the Allerheiligerberg clinic to the right of point (4).

Several resting areas with barbecue opportunities along the gorges.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
cricri68
cricri68

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice hike, done on a grey day, so not very busy, which is probably not the case in summer....

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suter hubert
suter hubert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

hike in the rain. It's a pity, because it's a very nice route.

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jean-marie.baur
jean-marie.baur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

On a sunny day in May, this hike is brilliant!
We've prepared this route for a CVK outing on Thursday 13 June.

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le pozo
le pozo
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike in glorious sunshine.
Extraordinary view of the Alps and the Jura from the summit.
GPS tracking of the hike
Thanks for all the information.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Hello parpaillon05 and thank you for your comment and suggestions.
A variant from point 10 along the Rickenbach is also very pretty, but on occasion I'll happily go to the Homberglücke side from point 9.

As for the duration, this is calculated by the software on the basis of the distance, the difference in altitude and the gradients for an average hiker (3.5 km/h on the flat, taking into account short stops).
Sincerely

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parpaillon05
parpaillon05

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike. Start early in the morning, as there are lots of people afterwards, especially in the gorges.
Ideal in warm weather, with lots of shady sections.
Frankly overestimated time: 4 hours of actual walking are enough, but it's possible to imagine variations (via Homberglücke on the way down, for example = + 1 hour).
Rémy

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Hi randoamis

I haven't been to the site for quite some time.
Could you tell me what I should change or correct to improve accuracy.

Sincerely

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randoamis
randoamis

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hiking isn't beautiful, it's simply magnificent.
The reliability of the description was accurate up to passage point 9. From this point onwards, the description needs to be more precise to avoid getting lost.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Hi Alexis

This route mainly uses paths, tracks and a few tarmac roads used by locals and hikers (the Belchenflue and Tufelsschlucht areas are very popular). When bad weather or roadworks render a section unusable, it is always possible to find a diversion, at worst with the help of a map, but more often by following signs on the ground.

Enjoy your trip

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alex-41
alex-41

Hello,
We'd like to do this walk on the weekend of 30 May to 2 June. Would it be accessible?
Thank you in advance for your feedback,
Best regards,
Alexis

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your feedback

Sincerely

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PascaleB.
PascaleB.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A playful climb through the gorges and extraordinary views of the Alps and rolling Jura countryside from the summit.
Note, however, the proximity of the motorway at Gnöd at the end of the route.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your comment

Sincerely

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yvonnegrien
yvonnegrien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike in 30°C weather. Luckily it's cool in the gorges in the morning. With a little more water in the torrent it would have been even more beautiful. The view from the summit of Belchenflue is breathtaking and you can break your fast on the benches just below the promontory. On the way back you can drink a cold Swiss beer or a limo at the farmhouse inn. Thanks to the author of this route (very well signposted). Henri Hderixh

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your comment

Have a good trip

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