Jura Crest Trail, Stage 3/16

Get to know five passes: Staffelegg, Bänkerjoch, Salhöhe, Schafmatt and lastly the Untere Hauenstein. In between, lots of woodland, many pastures and the rugged Geissfluh vantage point on the border of Baselland.

The roughly six-hour hike through the Jura begins at the «Staffelegg, Passhöhe» bus stop. The yellow-waymarked trail initially climbs through forest, then alternates between woodland and open meadows on the way to Benkerjoch. The route then remains on the wooded heights until it reaches Salhöhe at 787 m. From there, views open up across the hills of the Aargau Jura.

Beyond Salhöhe, the steady succession of ascents and descents continues. The steepest climb leads to Geissflue, the highest point of the hike at around 960 m. The summit lies between the cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Solothurn and Aargau. The trail then descends to Schafmatt and continues through extensive forest, interspersed with pastures and clearings.

In the final third, the intervening climbs become shorter. Via Wisnerhöchi and close to Liechtberg, the trail gradually descends to the first houses of Hauenstein. After around 20 kilometres, the hike ends at the «Hauenstein, Löwen» bus stop.