ViaGottardo, Stage 4/20

From Olten the route leads through the protected cultural landscape of Ruttigerwald. The trail continues alongside the River Aare to Aarburg, where a baroque castle is enthroned above the river. You finally reach Zofingen through an area of agglomeration.

From Olten railway station, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail leads out of the town and on to Aarburg. There, the mighty fortress immediately catches the eye. Perched on a steep rocky spur above the small town, it dates back to a castle built in the early 12th century. The route then climbs into the forest; the Amtshölzli picnic area is an ideal spot for a break.

Near the Born, the trail reaches its highest point at around 560 metres. From there, stretches of forest alternate with open meadows. The gentle intermediate climbs add up to around 400 metres of ascent, but remain pleasantly manageable on the well-waymarked hiking trails throughout.

For several kilometres in the final third, the route follows the Dorfbach stream. The outskirts of built-up areas herald the approach to Zofingen, where the hike ends at the station square. Around four hours should be allowed for the approximately 15-kilometre route.