Grenchenwiti Skate
Overview
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Distance 15 km
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Ascent 60 m
Intro
You travel through the Grenchen Witi wetland on skates. This is a diverse habitat for plants and animals, including many birds and brown hares. The route takes a detour to the historic town of Büren on the Aare, where you might wish to stop for a while to enjoy the cosy restaurants and attractive alleyways.
Description
You put on your inline skates at the train station in the town of Grenchen, which is well known for timepiece production. The municipality at the southern foot of the Jura covers the area from the Aare to the Grenchenberg mountain, and to the nationally important Witi Nature Reserve, which stretches out between Solothurn and Grenchen. This is where the second part of the Skatingland route runs and how it acquired its name. After the start, it follows the main road for some distance and then goes onto a side road straight to the railway tracks. Just before Lengnau, which is part of the canton of Bern, you finally roll out into the wide fields.
Passing several farms, grazing horses and stretches of farmland, the route takes a detour to Büren an der Aare. You have now completed half of the tour and a break is recommended. The medieval town centre has a triangular layout and is listed in the federal inventory for the protection of cultural property. There are numerous attractions: the castle of the former Bernese governors, built at the time of the Thirty Years’ War, between 1620-23, and the town hall, at the heart of city centre. Opposite is the Spittel town museum, part of the former city wall. The arcades in the main street and historic façades are also pleasant to look at. In summer, it is worth taking a detour to Ländte, where there are a handful of cafés and restaurants directly on the Aare, as well as the landing for scheduled boats that run between Solothurn and Biel. There is also a good view of the wooden bridge, which had to be rebuilt after it was burnt down in 1989.
A little way back along the same route, you then continue to follow the Aare downstream. The Wandfluh extends above Grenchen, a striking rock face that is not to be missed. A short detour to the hamlet of Staad is recommended. Immediately next to it is the Sandloch, an inviting bathing area on the Aare. The Witi agricultural and protection zone officially begins at the Solothurn cantonal border. Although this is used for agricultural purposes, it still has special protection status. The Witi includes a floodplain and amphibian spawning area of national importance as well as a migratory and aquatic bird reserve. But it is not just birds that feel at home here - Selzach and Grenchen Witi are also known as the “hare habitat of Switzerland”. Brown hares are considered important indicators of a diverse, intact habitat. And last but not least, the largely undeveloped landscape is a popular local recreation area. You then see gliders and motor planes at the regional airport, shortly before returning to Grenchen. Also close to the route is the Tissot Velodrome, the national Swiss cycling stadium with its racetrack. Rumour has it that it is the fastest track surface in the world. Unfortunately, skates are only allowed on the pump track next to it...
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Grenchen
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Grenchen
|
| Ascent |
60 m
|
| Descent |
60 m
|
| Distance |
15 km
|
| Distance on tarred ways |
15 km
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
Solothurn Tourismus
Hauptgasse 69
4500
Solothurn
Phone
+41 32 626 46 46
info@solothurn-city.ch
solothurn-city.ch
Quick Facts
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