Report in the Oltner Tagblatt newspaper on July 20, 2022
Text: Sven Altermatt Images: Roman Würsch
On the fifth stage, the hikers not only got to know the natural beauty of the Gäu region.
Hardly anyone in the country has never been to the Gäu region. Anyone traveling through Switzerland by car from north to south or east to west has to pass through here. Once the breadbasket of the Swiss Plateau, today countless logistics companies and warehouses line the highway. This centrally located district is the economic engine of the canton of Solothurn. But the Gäu also has a lot to offer those seeking relaxation – especially in the Jura hills.
The fifth stage led from Oensingen to Egerkingen. True to its label as the "king stage," it promised cultural highlights, impressive panoramas, and gastronomic delights. No wonder, explained hiking guide Reto Spiegel from Egerkingen Tourism: "Our region is more than just the highway." He was supported by Bruno Heiniger, a native of Oensingen.
After the climb in Oensingen, the first highlight awaited: Neu-Bechburg Castle. Due to its central location, it was once the preferred seat of the bailiff of Solothurn; today, it is not least a landmark on Highway 1. Later, the 93-strong hiking group also passed Tiefmatt – although the view of the Alps was somewhat clouded – the picturesque Blüemlismatt and finally the Jakobsleiter with its covered viewing platform.
However, this stage is likely to be remembered above all for the mountain restaurants along the route. At regular intervals, the Roggen mountain restaurant, the Tiefmatt mountain inn, and the Blüemlismatt restaurant offered a welcome rest—a pleasant slowdown even for "fast hikers."
It was a "sensory journey of culinary delights," as one reader from the Basel area aptly put it. Especially since, after the descent to Egerkingen, the hikers were able to treat not only their feet to some well-deserved relaxation in the Kneipp facility on Rauberplatz.
To round off the day in style, Egerkingen Tourism and the four local hotels provided a delicious aperitif prepared by Gasthof Kreuz. (sva)
Celebrity hikers: (top, from left) Heinz Flück (Green Party/SO), Thomas Lüthi (GLP/SO), André Wyss (EVP/SO), Markus Dietschi (Green Party/AG), Nadine Vögeli (SP/SO), Stefanie Ingold (Mayor of Solothurn), Edgar Kupper (Mitte/SO) and Barbara Wyss Flück (Grüne/SO); (front, from left) Stefan Hug (SP/SO), Karin Kissling (Mitte/SO) and hiking guide Reto Spiegel
