From the center of Holderbank (postbus stop), the trail heads toward Roggen. Here, you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of Balsthal and the valley! On the Hauensteinmatt plateau, we come to striking beech trees and marvel at the “Kraftwerk Baum.” Continuing east and then north, the trail passes through the Zahnwurz beech forest and then reaches the Roggenschnarz, the highest point of the hike. Now head down the small flight of steps toward Tiefmatt and across the ridge—with its various inviting viewpoints—to Schlosshöchi, offering a view of Alt-Bechburg. This is followed by the descent tothe “Blüemlismatt”restaurant, with its beautiful terrace and tempting refreshments. Continue along the forest road and the ridge to the “Jakobsleiter” toward Flüeloch. From here, connect tothe Jakobsleiter-Rinderweg nature trail. From the northern edge of Egerkingen, head straight to the train station. The trail is signposted throughout.
The appeal of hiking in the Solothurn forests lies in the diversity of forest plant communities encountered along the way. The local microclimate, the slope, the elevation, the soil characteristics, and human-induced changes all shape the landscape on both small and large scales. As a result, the surroundings—and thus the impressions you gain while walking—often change suddenly and unexpectedly.
About 40% of the canton of Solothurn is forested! The appeal of the “Solothurn Forest Hikes” lies in the diversity of the forest landscapes. Microclimates, geology, and soil—as well as human activity—shape the forest scenery. As a result, the scenery often changes suddenly and unexpectedly while hiking.
You candownload a PDF with additional information. It includes a map excerpt with the route marked, directions, and useful hiking tips.
