Passwang–Oberaargau
Overview
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Distance 42 km
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Ascent 1100 m
Intro
A cool concrete Goetheanum in a bustling agglomeration, followed by a dry, high plateau with cherry trees and finally, two steep, flower-rich Jura passes leading to Balsthal, watched over by ruins on jagged cliffs.
Description
The ruins of majestic Dorneck Castle are looming over Dornach with the Goetheanum below, the world centre for the anthroposophical movement. The building was designed by founder Rudolf Steiner and its architecture is characterized by organically expressive forms and the departure from right angles. Just above the train station of Dornach and Arlesheim is a fountain where three of SwitzerlandMobility’s regional bike routes meet. The Passwang–Oberaargau route (no. 71) continues up the winding pass and through the forest.
Riding past cliffs and blooming grain fields, you will spot Schartenfluh up high. At 753 m it is the highest elevation of the Gempen plateau. After almost as many switchbacks as kilometres, a myriad of cherry trees appearing on the plateau is a welcome sight. On the other hand, there isn’t a single creek or river around. The reason is the geology of the flat-topped mountain: the underground is permeable to water and full of karstic fissures and therefore the rain water quickly seeps away. The rural area before Seewen is also pretty to look at. The Museum of Music Automatons is located right on the bike route. It houses one of the largest collections of Swiss music boxes and a fascinating selection of music automatons from centuries past.
Next comes the tiny Baslerweier pond followed by the villages of Bretzwil and Nunningen, before the route continues uphill again, heading into the Fold Jura of the Ried and Nunninger Mountains. Across the Passwang pass, in the middle of the Thal Nature Park, you reach Ramiswil. On your right is a mill from the 16th century. Visitors are welcome and the mill can even be rented. With a little imagination, the rugged limestone cliffs of Mümliswil are sure to make you think of the famous natural rock arena of Creux-du-Van. And when you approach the Neu Falkenstein ruin near St. Wolfgang, you almost feel transported back to the Middle Ages. The beautiful tour through the Jura Mountains with over 1000 altitude meters – who would have thought? - finally ends in Balsthal. Now it’s time to visit the restaurant that overlooks Altes Kornhaus, a stunning building built in 1790.
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 |
Dornach
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Balsthal
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| Ascent |
1100 m
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| Descent |
950 m
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| Distance |
42 km
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| Distance on tarred ways |
42 km
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Theme |
Over a pass, Through a nature conservation area
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Quick Facts
Route number
