When you pass Oensingen, whether by car or by train, you will not miss the famous Neu Bechburg castle. This impressive building, with the coat of arms of Solothurn on the side of the tower that overlooks the plain, is a sight to behold. As a result of having relatives who lived in Oensingen for a while, I often heard about the Roggen. It was a great place for a day out or for sledding, back in the days when climate change had not yet altered the amount of snowfall. In this article, I am talking about “the” Roggen, plural, not “the” Roggen, singular, because there are several places named Roggen.
On this hike, which unfortunately did not offer much of a view on this day, we passed by the various places leading to the Roggenflue.
The route from the Oensingen station takes you through the village, while avoiding busy roads. Once you leave the village, you will walk up a steep path leading to the castle gardens. Soon, you will find yourself at the foot of the Neu Bechburg castle and its impressive tower. After passing the castle, you will walk along a forest path that soon leads you to the Oensinger Roggen meadows. There is a popular restaurant in this area.
Instead of going directly up to the Roggenflue, we followed the marked trail that goes under the Roggen. Further on, in Flüebrunnen, we followed a forest path that led us to the top of the Roggen and then back to the Roggenflue.
On the way down from the Roggenflue, we did not follow the same route we took on the way up but instead went through the Chluser Roggen. The trail is marked as a mountain trail, with white-red-white markings. The trail itself is not difficult, but there are a few places where the path is very exposed, on the rocks overhanging the Klus.
After a descent that is steep in places, you will reach the Alt Falkenstein castle, which is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dünnern. All you must do then is walk down a little to reach the first houses in Balsthal.
Route: Oensingen – Neu Bechburg castle – Oensinger Roggen – Flüebrunnen – Roggenflue – Chluser Roggen – Alt Falkenstein castle – Balsthal
Distance: 12.6km
Elevation gain: 690m
Duration: 4h30
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