Reigoldswil lies at the far end of the Hintere Frenke valley. Local legends, traces of traditional rural architecture and the landscape around Wasserfallen are among the different sides of a stay here. The municipality covers valley and mountain landscapes at elevations from 470 to 1,161 metres; the Schattberg in the Passwang massif is named as its highest point. The village thus combines local history with a varied natural setting.

Legends Trail and Village History

The Rifenstein Legends Trail brings legends from Reigoldswil to life as part of the local cultural heritage: sculptures and information boards line the circular hiking trail, which is open all year round. The starting point is by the village museum on Schmidtengasse. If you are planning to bring a pushchair, note the route: the upper sections, 6 to 9, include stairs; the remaining sections are accessible with a pushchair.

At the village museum, you can discover another side of the area's history. The local history museum “Im Feld” is on the ground floor of a farmhouse built in 1765. Its permanent exhibition brings rural life from the 18th to the 20th century to life. The house is considered a valuable example of rural architecture in the canton of Basel-Landschaft and is to be included in the cantonal inventory of protected cultural monuments.

The village church and the building known as Im Chilchli also tell the story of different historical uses. The church was consecrated in 1562 at the foot of Hoggenhübel. Inside are the baptismal font “Mother and Child” and the plaster relief “Icarus”, both works by local sculptor Jakob Probst. Im Chilchli was originally a Hilarius chapel; from 1536 to 1562, it served as a place of Reformed worship and was converted into a residential house towards the end of the 18th century. Several sculptures by Jakob Probst are also among Reigoldswil’s attractions.

Rifenstein Castle Ruins and the Landscape

The well-preserved Rifenstein Castle ruins are part of the municipality of Reigoldswil. The remains reveal the layout of the site, which includes a residential tower and two courtyards, many of whose walls are still standing. The ruins lie on a steep rocky spur between Reigoldswil and Titterten and offer views of the valley. At Rifenstein, historic structures and their setting in the landscape go hand in hand.

Wasserfallen: Activities in Every Season

Waldseilpark Wasserfallen is on the Jura ridge above Reigoldswil, right next to the mountain station of the Reigoldswil–Wasserfallen cable car. If you are planning a visit to the park, check its current operating status beforehand. You can rent a scooter at the cable car and ride it down into the valley. Riders must be at least 10 years old and 135 centimetres tall; younger or shorter children must ride with an adult. As rental options and participation requirements can change, it is worth checking before your visit.

In winter, different activities take centre stage at Wasserfallen: explore the hilly landscape on snowshoes or along winter hiking trails. Comparing these options with the Legends Trail can help when planning for the season: the trail is open all year round, while snowshoeing and winter hiking are specifically winter activities. To reach the cable car valley station, take bus no. 70 from Liestal to the “Reigoldswil Dorfplatz” stop; the rest of the way is well signposted. Check the timetable before travelling.

Reigoldswil’s Customs and Traditions

Those interested in living village traditions can experience two different events: Eierlesen and Banntag. Eierlesen takes place on the Sunday after Easter. Different groups and variations involve transporting eggs across the primary school playground; afterwards, everyone is invited to the convivial “Eierdätsch”.

Banntag is still celebrated by the people of Reigoldswil and visitors from elsewhere, although no longer in its original context. Each year, the two groups, Wasserfallen and Widentäli, take turns; after two years, the entire Reigoldswil boundary has been covered. This sequence gives the event its own rhythm and sets it apart from traditions closely tied to the Easter calendar.

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

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