Wiggertal–Glaubenberg
Overview
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Distance 45 km
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Ascent 440 m
Intro
Zofingen’s pleasant old town, the murmur of the Wigger at the flood dam, a grass snake swimming in the Ettiswil pond, a quiet stop at the pilgrimage chapel of St. Ottilien, numerous cows on Ruswil’s large farms and the Kleine Emme in its stony bed.
Description
The castle and impressive fortress look out across Aarburg an der Aare. The complex dates to the 12th century, and is a cultural asset of national importance. Nowadays, it serves as a cantonal youth centre. At the next roundabout, a bull watches over the relentless traffic. As you make your way toto Zofingen, you pass allotment gardens, flags and pennants in all colours. Founded by the Counts of Froburg, Zofingen’s well-preserved old town is definitely worth a visit. The large rectangular area showcases its past with poise and grace.
The storks disappeared from the River Wigger at the end of the 1920s as a result of industrialisation and the advent of motorisation. They then reappeared: as part of a reintroduction attempt in 1960, four young storks successfully moved into the nest created for them on the sports hall. Since then, storks have been returning regularly from the south, and sometimes even overwinter locally – much to the joy of the residents of the stork-loving town of Brittnau, it would appear. The so-called “water meadows” that can be found here in Oberaargau also merit conservation. They are the last vestiges of a once-widespread culture expression in the Central Plateau that deployed an extensive system of canals and locks to channel nutrient-rich water into the meadows for irrigation and fertilisation.
The over 450 year-old Altishofen Castle is attractive and well-kept in its rural setting. You can stay overnight at the “Klösterli” right next to it. But it’s still a little early for talk of accommodation. Nebikon is only a short journey past the “Lebkuchenhaus” (“Gingerbread house”), Pfarrhubel and Altishof Forest. You are never far from the River Wigger along this stage. And you’ve definitely come to the right place if you want to learn about trees, bushes, herbs and all creatures great and small, as many signposts along the way provide interesting information for your delectation. The Ronmühle mill is equally fascinating: It has stood here for over 400 years; and houses a collection of everyday objects to give you an image of daily life across several centuries.
With its three barbecue areas, the “Platz des Dialoges” at the confluence of the Wigger and Rot rivers provides an excellent place to take a break. There is no shortage of churches, chapels and castles in the Lucerne hinterland, and the area around the Ettiswil pond is likewise pretty. The “greater mouse-eared bat” seems to feel at home: the attic of the St. Ottilienkapelle in Buttisholz serves provides these bats with a place to fly around and roost. It is not just the farms that are huge in Ruswil; the cows and heads of lettuce also seem to be larger than elsewhere. The route descends quickly to Werthenstein, where the Kleine Emme curves around the lofty former monastery that marks the end of this stage.
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 |
Aarburg
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Werthenstein
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| Ascent |
440 m
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| Descent |
300 m
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| Distance |
45 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
36 km
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| Distance on natural surface |
9 km
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/... |
Quick Facts
Route number
