Castles and palaces near Aesch (BL)

The Basel region is one of the areas richest in castles in Switzerland: Around 80 castles, palaces, and ruins testify to a turbulent history. Spread across hilltops, rock heads, and valley floors, they invite not only archaeologists, history enthusiasts, and castle lovers but also hikers to explore. The past can be especially impressively experienced along the ViaJura – a cultural route that stretches from Roman antiquity to the present. Since the Middle Ages, it formed the lifeline of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel and later served countless travelers as a route through the Jura hill landscape.

A varied circular hike starts at the Aesch train station and follows the ViaJura to the Pfeffingen castle ruins - which were extensively renovated from 2013 to 2017. From there, the path leads on a historic route to the Glögglifel pass, a medieval rock passage above the Birs. The subsequent ridge trail over the Eggflue offers a magnificent panoramic view over the Basel region.

Further on, the route continues over the Plattenpass, which the Romans already used as the shortest connection from Basel to western Switzerland. Below the Aesch gorge line up the Frohberg, Schalberg, Engenstein, and Münchsberg ruins along the castle ridge trail, which ultimately leads back to the Pfeffingen ruins.

The successful combination of nature, history, and culture makes this circular route a special experience in the canton of Baselland.

Original tour: www.schwarzwaldverein-tourenportal.de/de/tour/808370132