ViaJura, Stage 2/7

On the hilly route with plenty of spectacular views, you can admire ruins, castles and rare orchids in protected dry meadows. The painted Glögglifels used to block the way for smugglers long ago, and the extensive fossil collection is known far beyond Laufen.

From the Aesch BL, Bahnhofstrasse bus stop, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail initially leads through Aesch. It soon leaves the built-up area and climbs to the wooded ridge of the Blauen. Standing directly on the route are the ruins of Pfeffingen Castle, once the main seat of the Counts of Thierstein-Pfeffingen. Its walls provide a striking landmark early in the hike.

From here, stretches of woodland alternate with open meadows and pastures. The trail steadily gains height, reaching its highest point at around 600 m near Chuenisberg. Shortly afterwards, it crosses the Blattenpass. The ascents and descents remain moderate, but over a total distance of 17 kilometres they add up to around 500 metres of elevation gain.

Beyond the pass, the hike leads to Blauen and then descends towards Zwingen. Towards the end, the settlements become denser again before the route reaches Laufen. After just over four and a half hours, it ends near Laufen railway station. The tour thus combines castle ruins, Jura woodland and open uplands in an extended, technically easy hike.