On the Baselbieter Chirsiweg through the Tafeljura

It’s that time again – cherry blossom season, the «Bluescht», is just around the corner. While many trees in the cities are already in full bloom, the natural spectacle along the Baselbieter Chirsiweg amid the gentle Jura hills is still waiting to begin. Most buds here are still closed in early April and will only unfold their splendor in the coming days. But it’s not only the cherry blossoms that make this hike an experience: the trail also charms in other ways – with scenic ridges, idyllic villages and hidden waterfalls.

Hike start in Anwil

Our hike begins in Anwil, the former border village to the Fricktal. On an early Saturday morning the place still seems sleepy. The restaurant «Jägerstübli» directly opposite the Postbus stop Anwil, Dorf has unfortunately closed permanently – anyone hoping for a «Startkafi» will be disappointed. We leave the main road and turn into Dorfstrasse. Signposts lead us past stately farmhouses through the quiet village center and then along a forest path down into the deeply incised Obertal.

Idyll in the Talweiher nature reserve

Anyone who wants to skip the loop through the village of Anwil can alternatively get off at the Postbus stop «Anwil, Talweiher» and start the hike directly down in the Obertal. Be that as it may; the roughly two kilometers that follow along the young Ergolz to Oltingen are, for me, among the most beautiful sections of this route. Here we follow the experiential trail «Passepartout Tafeljura» and discover on the information boards along the way fascinating background on the flora and fauna of the Talweiher nature reserve, which we cross. With a bit of patience – and a touch of luck – even rare bird species can be observed here.

Farming villages, orchard meadows and distant views on the Chirsiweg

The experiential trail is a project of the association Erlebnisraum Tafeljura, which advocates for the sustainable development of the Oberbaselbieter Tafeljura region. Even many experts are hardly familiar with this landscape of national significance. In Oltingen we discover the first flowering fruit trees along the roadside – a promising start. From here we follow thesignposted Baselbieter Chirsiweg, which takes us up some elevation into the heights of the Tafeljura. Once at the top, we enjoy a wide view over fields, orchard meadows and the region’s characteristic ridgelines. At the same time, the view gives us a good sense of the further course of the route.

Anyone who, on the technically rather unspectacular field paths up here, has already wondered whether sneakers would have sufficed will be disabused of that notion at the latest after passing through the village center of Wenslingen: suddenly we find ourselves facing steep rock walls — and a narrow path that drops away steeply. On the descent into the narrow Eib valley, a bit of technical skill is now required.

The valley floor is quickly crossed, and on the opposite side the Chirsiweg climbs back up to the next ‘Tafel’. At the edge of Rünenberg we discover more flowering cherry trees — but even here it will take a few warm spring days before they are in full bloom.

A highlight along the way: the Rünenberger Giessen

In the final third of the hike on the Baselbieter Chirsiweg, a scenic highlight still awaits: after passing through Rünenberg’s village center, the trail first follows a little-used paved lane heading south. After about 400 meters we turn onto a forest path that brings us to the ‘Rünenberger Giessen’ at the head of the Stieregrabe valley. Here the water plunges over a domed rock face 18 meters down onto a tufa cone. Depending on the water level and amount of rainfall, the waterfall’s appearance can change considerably. This section is also demanding: the trail winds along the rock face down to the valley floor via a narrow path equipped with steps.

Final kilometers through the peaceful Chrindtal to Sommerau

On the final just-under-three kilometers to the destination we are once again greeted by a pleasantly walkable forest path that follows the cheerfully babbling Chrintelbach. The Baselbieter Chirsiweg ultimately ends at Bahnhof Sommerau – located on the oldest railway line between Basel and the Mittelland.

Key facts for the hike Anwil – Oltingen – Wenslingen – Sommerau

Using the hiking map below, you can trace the route of our hike from Anwil via Oltingen and Wenslingen to Sommerau. It is continuously a yellow-marked hiking trail (T1/T2). The path is not suitable for strollers. In each of the three villages you pass through there is a PostAuto connection – so the tour can be shortened as desired.

Since we needed only around three hours for the tour and were out in the morning, we did not stop to eat along the way. However, anyone wanting a relaxed break will find several options along the route: A stop is possible at Gasthaus Löwen in Rünenberg. Alternatively, two barbecue spots invite you to linger – one of them is at Anwil, down in the Obertal, just a few steps from the bus stop «Anwil, Talweiher». The second fire pit is in the Chrindeltal, roughly halfway between Bahnhof Sommerau and the Rünenberger Giessen.

Starting point	Bus stop Anwil, Dorf (580 m above sea level)
Accessibility	Accessible by public transport
Length	13.5 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 350 m ↘ 490 m
Duration	3:30 h
Destination	Sommerau train station (450 m above sea level)
Places to eat	Gasthaus Löwen in Rünenberg (closed on Mondays, open on Tuesdays only from 5:00 PM)

Practical tips for your hike on the Baselbieter Chirsiweg

• To Anwil there is at least an hourly PostAuto connection from Gelterkinden. During peak hours a half-hourly service is sometimes offered.
• From Sommerau there is an hourly S-Bahn connection to Olten.
• The hiking trail passes by several farm shops where you can buy regional products.
• Along the way, information panels of the Erlebnisraum Tafeljura provide fascinating background information about this unique natural and cultural landscape.
• Alternatively, in spring you can also in the neighboring Fricktal – on the Fricktaler Chriesiwäg – experience the blossom spectacle.