To the Hohwacht in Oberaargau

Melchnau was first mentioned in a document in 1100. The history of the village is closely linked with that of the Barons of Grünenberg. Their castle was located on the Schlossberg southeast of the village. At the starting point of the hike, follow the signpost to the Pauli rest area. After some bends, you leave Oberdorf and proceed along fields and meadows, then ascend through forest to the Pauli rest area. Here turn left towards Hohwacht, which is now reached by a steeper footpath. Two rest areas and, on Sundays during the hiking season, the Waldhaus Hochwacht restaurant invite you to pause. From the tower, you enjoy a panoramic view from the Jura to the Alps. The Hohwacht, at 780 meters, is the highest elevation in eastern Oberaargau. It was an important station in the network of beacon fires, with which before the 19th century, alarms could be raised day and night throughout the canton of Bern with fire and smoke signals. To continue the hike, follow the signpost to Schmidwald. The next part of the hike, over meadows and through forest, is relaxing. At Schmidwald there is a rest area for a pause. Here turn left towards Fribach and Gondiswil, where you travel through forest and then over meadows and fields. In Gondiswil, head towards Babeliplatz. Continuing over fields and meadows and then through forest, you reach another rest area at Babeliplatz. After leaving the forest, the route passes the Grünenberg ruins on the way to the destination of the hike.