Hikes in the Solothurn Forest

1. Solothurn Forest Hike From Holderbank via Roggenschnarz to Egerkingen

The appeal of the first Solothurn Forest Hike lies in the diversity of forest plant communities encountered along the way. The specific microclimate, the slope, the elevation, the soil characteristics, and human-induced changes all shape the landscape on both small and large scales. As a result, the surroundings—and thus the impressions one gains while walking—often change abruptly and unexpectedly.

2. Solothurn Forest Hike Mümliswil–Passwang–Wasserfallen–Mümliswil

On the 2nd Solothurn Forest Hike, the influence of the bedrock on the landscape features, the natural forest vegetation, and agricultural use is particularly striking. Depending on the hardness of the rock, the Jura orogeny, glacial moraines, and erosion have shaped the landscape into sheer rock faces, narrow gorges, or gentle, rolling terrain.
Consequently, the forest canopy appears at times bathed in light and full of blossoms, and at other times dark and rather monotonous.

3. Solothurn Forest Hike Buechegg Castle–Gächliwil–Buechegg Castle

The Bucheggberg rises gently from the plains of the Mittelland. The gently rolling, hilly cultural landscape—with its mosaic of forests and fields, compact farming villages, hedgerows, and copses—is an idyllic spot to live, but also to relax on long hikes. In the forests, stands of beech trees serve as a reminder that the name Bucheggberg may well be derived from this tree species. With their silver-gray bark and rust-red buds on slender branches, the broad-crowned beech trees accentuate the delicate contours of the Bucheggberg landscape. The view of the Jura Mountains and the Bernese Alps rounds out this harmonious landscape.

4. Hike in the Solothurn Forest From Olten to Aarau

The Aare between Olten and Aarau—a tamed river, and yet a natural wonder. For over a century, hydropower development has transformed the Aare into sections with residual flow and impoundments, and the power plant canals have shaped the landscape. Nevertheless, on the 4th Solothurn Forest Hike along the banks of the Aare, one can still find typical elements of a river floodplain landscape. In contrast, the towering cooling tower of the Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant looms over the landscape as a symbol
of modern civilization. The rocky hills, with the ruins of the medieval castles of Göskon and Kienberg, offer cultural-historical highlights and superb vantage points over the Aare Valley in the Niederamt region. The Ballypark in Schönenwerd is a unique idyll.

5. Solothurn Forest Hike Four Routes Along the National Border

Is there a more charming region in the Solothurn area than the Leimental? Thanks to the mild climate of the Rhine Valley, vast oak forests and shrub-filled forest edges thrive here. Flower-strewn meadows delight the eye, the nose, and the heart; lush stone fruit orchards display their vibrant colors as the seasons change. A region of curves, nooks, and crannies, with flowing green national and cantonal borders. No wonder you come across so many castles, churches, and wayside crosses in the forest here—and so many cheerful, friendly people!

6th Solothurn Forest Hike In the Wasseramt

Wasseramt—the name is surprising. Neither large rivers nor a magnificent lake district characterize the rural, hilly landscape of the district. The Ice Age Rhône Glacier left behind only two small, idyllically situated lakes—the Burgäschi and the Inkwilersee—in what are known as dead ice pits. Other remnants of the glaciers in the Wasseramt are boulders, found in unique quantities and sizes. The once-numerous streams and marshy areas, however, have largely disappeared due to land improvement projects. Only field names such as Moosmatten, Sumpf, or Turbenmoos still bear witness to the former “waterland.” In the forest, however, a large portion of the wetland habitats has been preserved. Here lies the realm of the ash, the alder, and the wild cherry.

7th Solothurn Forest Hike Hiking in the Gäu region between Boningen and Oensingen

Forest, gravel, and landscape: a hike through the Gäu region between Boningen and Oensingen. This forest hike showcases the three landscape types of the Aare-Gäu: the vast gravel plains to the east and south, the small-scale moraine hill landscape south of the treeless Gäu plain, and the terraced terrain in Wolfwil.

8th Solothurn Forest Hike Hiking in the Thierstein between Büsserach, Fehren, Himmelried, and Breitenbach

The Thierstein Forest Hike winds through a region of great geological diversity. The Lingenberg in the south is part of the Folded Jura. The area around Fehren, on the other hand, is part of the Table Jura. And finally, the vast Laufen Basin represents the geological continuation of the Upper Rhine Graben in this region.

9th Solothurn Forest Hike On the trail between Olten and Kappel

The Born has much to offer: a local recreation area, a forest reserve, a quarry, culture, history, and—all at once—a protected forest and a commercial forest. The forest is characterized by varied growing conditions. On the southern and eastern slopes—parts of which are under nature conservation—linden and maple trees defy the falling rocks. On the barren soil along the ridge, the beech and oak trees remain small and gnarled, while the trees on the deep soil of the northern slope boast tall, straight trunks of first-class quality. The “1000er Stägeli” and the massive quarry bear witness to the fact that the Born was once also of great importance for the production of electricity and cement.

10th Solothurn Forest Hike From the Bogenbrücke to the Emmenspitz

Explore, observe, and enjoy the Emme landscape in Solothurn. At some twenty information board locations and using the “EinflussEmme” app, visitors to the Emme—from the border with the canton of Bern near Gerlafingen to the river’s confluence with the Aare in Luterbach—can gain insight into the history and current features of this 6-kilometer-long, dynamic, yet flood-safe stretch of the river.

11th Solothurn Forest Hike Grenchenberg–Stallflue–Hasenmatt–Weissenstein–Röti–Balmberg

The title of the 11th Solothurn Forest Hike, “Highlights of the Solothurn Jura,” already hints at it: on this “King’s Route,” we not only reach the highest peaks in the canton of Solothurn, but also enjoy unique views of the landscape and gain insight into the diversity of the Jura’s forests and pastures.

The route of the 11th Forest Hike is further enriched by interactive elements: Alongside ants, chamois, and dinosaurs, participants can explore beech forests and pastures in the Solothurn High Jura. The natural environment, natural hazards, and the Bettlachstock World Natural Heritage Site can be experienced interactively with the help of QR codes. Flyer on the interactive enhancements for the 11th Solothurn Forest Hike