ViaSurprise, Stage 6/6

The ascent through the wild Chälengrabe gorge leads up to the Blauenberg. The trail continues through the Aesch vineyard and alongside the Birs back to Dornach. The abbey on the station square is now devoted to culinary delights – a welcome opportunity to relive the highlights of your hike.

From the Mariastein, Kloster stop, the hiking trail leads out of the village and soon enters the forest. Close to the route stands the medieval Rotberg Castle, probably built in the 13th century and now used as a youth hostel. The trail then climbs alongside the Chälengraben to the Blauepass.

On the Blaueberg, the route reaches its highest point at around 840 m. Continuing over a succession of ascents and descents, it remains on the wooded ridge for a long stretch and leads over the Blattenpass towards Birseck. Near the medieval Frohberg ruins, the terrain becomes rockier. Shortly afterwards, the Chlus provides a striking feature before the trail descends out of the forest into more open terrain.

The first houses appear in Aesch, where the character of the hike shifts distinctly from Jura forest to a built-up area. For the final three kilometres or so, it follows the Birs. The route continues along the riverbank through the valley to Dornach, ending directly beside the monastery church and just a few steps from the Dornach-Arlesheim stop.