Around the Häftli nature reserve

Located in the narrow pass between Städtiberg and Aare, Büren a. A. is one of the particularly well-preserved Bernese small towns. Worth seeing are, among others, the citizen house facades from the 16th to 19th centuries, the town hall (around 1500), the castle (Amthaus 1620–1625), and the church (choir 13th century, nave around 1500). Numerous inn and trade signs adorn the main street. On the wooden bridge inaugurated in 1991 (the predecessor fell victim to an arson attack by political agitators in 1989) the town is left behind. That Büren formerly served as a stronghold against the influence of the Bishop of Basel is indicated by the inn name in Reiben, on the other side of the Aare. The inn is called "zum Baselstab". Initially, the riverside path leads to the mouth of the Alte Aare into the Nidau-Büren Canal. Then it goes around the swimming pool back to the Alte Aare. This waterbody, dead since the first Jura water correction, is surprisingly wide and bends about 2 km northwards in a double loop. The narrowing path follows the row of trees on the bank. Very close rises the foremost Jura chain. At the houses of Witmatt, the river course bends west. A wide, pleasant path leads to the edge of the village of Meinisberg (detour through the village to the Kybi Ranch 20 min). Meinisberg at the foot of the Büttenberg belonged to the Diocese of Basel from the 13th century until 1816 and became Bernese together with Pieterlen in that year. Close to the Aare shore, an excellently laid footpath opens the most beautiful sections at Häftli. It runs between open fields and the narrow riverside forest composed of alders, poplars, ashes, oaks, birches, and willows. At the Cheer, a fire pit invites you to linger. Passing the Kybi Ranch, you reach the road coming from Safnern (point 431; via Safnerenbrügg–Meienried to Büren a. A. about 1h10). On the paved road, it now goes eastwards along the canal. The detour to the observation tower in Häftli leads exactly to the spot where the former Zihl flowed into the Alte Aare. Two orientation boards provide information about plant and animal life. The return route first follows the road, then leads into Häftli and reaches the Aare footbridge at the Alte Aare, which allows crossing to Reiben and Büren.