The Jura of Solothurn region has several interesting hiking destinations. Even though the altitudes of the peaks in this part of the Jura are more moderate than in the High Jura, a hike is always worth it.
We had set out with the hope that the weather would improve during the hike, as the weather forecast had promised. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Therefore, we did not go up to the top of the Bölcheflue as we had originally planned but continued past it.
The hike starts at the Hägendorf train station. First, you must cross the village and then enter the Tüfelsschlucht (Devil’s Gorge). It is surprisingly difficult to spot the gorge from a distance. It is only when you get closer to the side of the mountain that the route becomes clear. The gorge is about two kilometers long and has some footbridges. You also pass under the motorway leading to Basel. Even though the bridge is quite high above the gorge, you can still hear the traffic quite well, especially when the lorries pass over the expansion joints.
After the first part of the gorge, you reach a road that you cross before climbing up to the Oberi Schlucht (Upper Gorge). After this gorge, you reach pastures below the Allerheiligenberg (All Saints’ Mountain). It is amusing to think that after having been with the Devil, you end up with all the saints.
Above the Allerheiligenberg, you climb a little to reach a small pass that allows you to cross over to the other side. You then reach the Gwüesthöchi and the Gwidemhöchi and end up on a dirt road. This road was built during the First World War to allow troops to reach the Bölche and Gwidemflue fortifications.
On the way down, you pass near the Chambersberg farm and through the Spittelberg shooting range. On the day we passed there, the army was supposed to be doing exercises, but as it was lunchtime, we were able to cross the pastures without any problems to reach the Homberglücke.
After descending to the Rumpelhöchi, you cross through the forest to a small, rather surprising pass that leads to the first houses of Olten on the other side. You then quickly reach the banks of the Aare and the train station in Olten.
Route: Hägendorf – Tüfelsschlucht – Allerheiligenberg – Gwüesthöchi – Gwidemhöchi – Homberglücke – Rumpelhöchi – Olten
Distance: 16.8km
Elevation gain: 800m
Duration: 5h30
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