When we were descending from the Röti and the Balmfluechöpfli a few days earlier, we noticed that some people were walking up a small path that joined the official route. When I looked more closely at the topographic map, I realized that there was indeed a path, but it was not officially marked. After some research, I found out that this path was called the “Clubwägli,” or the small club path. I also found out that many people rate it as a T4. Curious, I wanted to see it more closely, especially since I thought that the route of this path would be an alternative to the Stigelos, which is too crowded for me.
So, we took the bus to Gänsbrunnen (the train line through the Weissenstein tunnel is still under construction) and then followed the marked path up the Rüschgraben. However, since we also wanted to visit the entrance to the Nidleloch (the hole of the cream), we left the Rüschgraben path just before it crosses a small rocky outcrop through a tunnel. Less than 100 meters before this tunnel, a path leading up to the left into the forest is clearly visible. At first, it is very steep, but it becomes a bit flatter when crossing under the ridge, and then it becomes steep and unpleasant as it approaches the pastures of Hinterweissenstein.
Once in the pasture, we followed a good path leading under the Hinterweissenstein farm and restaurant. Just before the first building, a small path leads to the entrance of the Nidleloch cave. For the rest of the hike, we went down to the Hammerweg, a small path that runs along the edge of the forest and then joined the marked path to Vorderweissenstein. From there (which is also the end of the cable car), we followed the steep path down to the intermediate station at Nesselboden.
From Nesselboden, we followed the path that is marked as a path on the topographic map. This is wrong, and the marked path is on the forest road a bit higher up. After rounding the Balmfluechöpfli, we found the beginning of the Clubwägli, marked by two large cairns. The trail descends through quite steep slopes, with a few switchbacks to avoid rock faces. Even though this trail is not officially marked, there are some red paint marks, especially in two places where you might have some doubts about the direction. At the end of the trail, you reach the foot of the rock face and follow the small Chesselbach stream through a peculiar canyon. I would also rate the Clubwägli as T4, but with the caveat that it is not very steady. Only two short sections require the use of your hands for progress.
Route: Gänsbrunnen – Hinterweissenstein – Nidleloch – Hammerweg – Vorderweissenstein – Nesselboden – Clubwägli – Rüttenen – Einsiedelei Verena – Solothurn
Distance: 15.7km
Elevation gain: 700m positive / 990m negative
Duration: 5h30
Previous Post
