From Pratteln/Augst to the Ermitage Arlesheim

The hike starts at the S-Bahn station Pratteln Salina Raurica. This is where the economic boom of the original village began with the founding of the Schweizerhalle saltworks, where table salt and bath salts are still packed today. Two historic wooden towers recall the beginnings of salt production in 1837.

Nearby Augusta Raurica is one of the best-preserved Roman settlements. Between them lies the Ergolz river. It supplied the inhabitants with drinking water via an aqueduct, parts of which are still walkable today. 

Also historically significant is the Hülftenschanze. In a bloody battle in 1833, the Basel standing troops were defeated by the countryside shooters. This led to the division of the canton of Basel into the half-cantons Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft.

The hike through the Basel-Landschaft Tafeljura leads to the Schauenburgflue with the ruins of Neu- and Alt-Schauenburg. The most comprehensive view of Baselbiet is offered by the Gempen Tower on the Schartenflue.

The Ermitage in Arlesheim presents itself quite differently, as the largest English landscape garden in Switzerland. The romantic facility with walking paths and viewpoints was created before the French Revolution. The already dilapidated Birseck Castle and its castle hill were redesigned with grottoes and ponds, forming the basis for numerous similar parks throughout Europe. An automaton Capuchin was also not missing.

The landmark of Arlesheim is the cathedral. After the Reformation, it was the seat of the cathedral chapter of the Diocese of Basel from 1679 to 1792. Inside, it houses the last preserved Silbermann organ in Switzerland from 1761.