Diegten combines a distinctive natural landscape with a rich village and architectural history. The village lies at 470 m above sea level, and the Diegterbach stream flows through it. You can plan your visit around several different highlights: the Chilpen meadows and dry grasslands, St. Peter’s Church and the archaeological remains within the municipality. Regional products are another tangible discovery to enjoy locally.

Nature around Diegten

The Chilpen nature reserve is a sunlit complex of meadows above Diegten, where you can discover more than 20 different orchid species. A walk from Diegten leads to the reserve’s diverse woodland and dry grassland communities. Chilpen therefore brings several habitats into focus: the open meadows as well as woodland and dry grassland. For nature lovers, this offers a different focus from the village’s buildings.

Another nature reserve, Wasserfalle – Roti Flue, extends across Diegten and Eptingen. It is listed in the cantonal inventory of protected natural sites as a site of regional importance. Its defining feature is a mosaic of woodland communities that are managed and cultivated extensively. Compared with Chilpen’s sunlit meadows, woodland takes centre stage here, giving the two reserves distinct characters.

If you choose the “Im Diegtertal – Der Ränggen” hiking route, take its features into account when planning: it has significant elevation changes and runs partly along footpaths. This information describes the route and helps distinguish it from a walk from Diegten to Chilpen, which is a separate hiking option.

Church, vicarage and archaeological traces

The Reformed Church of St. Peter stands on a hill spur just before the village entrance and is visible from afar. The first church at this location was built in the 13th century on an early medieval burial ground. The Reformed church features stained-glass windows by the artist Walter Eglin. Its setting, building history and artistic features offer different ways to explore the church’s own story.

South of the church hill, between the stream and the slope, the vicarage forms an architectural ensemble with the tithe barn and a fountain. The abbess, who held the right to collect tithes, had the vicarage built in 1703/04. The associated garden is partly enclosed by a wall, and its portal dates from 1765. The church and vicarage thus reflect different building periods and show how the village’s history can be traced through several named buildings.

Archaeological traces also reach far back into the past. Finds indicate that the area around Diegten was already settled in Roman times. Diegten was first mentioned in written records in 1152 under the name “Dietingoven”; the settlement of Tüllikon existed within today’s municipal boundaries in 1382. The remains in the Diegten area include the three fortifications Ränggen I, Ränggen II—also known as Ruch-Eptingen—and Ränggen III, as well as the Roman watch post Ränggen IV. The remains of walls and earthworks at the Ränggen ruins are accessible at all times.

Regional products and practical information

Öpfelegge – Salathé’s farm shop sells eating apples and seasonal fruits such as plums, Diegten apricots and peaches, all grown on the farm. The range also includes homemade jams, dried fruit and other regional specialties. Product availability varies by season. The farm shop is about a five-minute walk from the Diegten, Weinburg bus stop. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable; the walking time is approximate.

Nature, architectural history and the farm shop offer different ways to explore Diegten, without needing to combine them into a set itinerary. You can focus on a walk to Chilpen, explore the history of the church and vicarage, or visit the archaeological remains as a separate part of the village’s story. The hiking route, with its elevation changes and sections that partly follow footpaths, is another distinct option. You can choose according to the topics that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Niederdorf, Reigoldswil, Lampenberg, Waldenburg, Eptingen, Langenbruck, Hölstein

Go to the overview of the wider region: Waldenburg.