A 3.18-kilometre castle walk leads to the ruins of Waldenburg Castle and starts and ends at Waldenburg railway station. The Waldenburgerbahn runs from Liestal to Waldenburg every 15 minutes. This gives you a clear starting point for the walk and lets you combine local history with an outing on foot.
Castle and Town at the Hauenstein Pass
Waldenburg was founded in the first half of the 13th century below a new castle. As a valley barrier and customs station, the town served an important function at the pass. Together with the town and the lower castle, the castle ruins formed a barrier at the Hauenstein Pass. For centuries, the castle was the seat of the Frohburg family and of the bailiffs of the city of Basel and its bishops.
Today, the castle ruins are considered a landmark of Waldenburg. They stand on the narrow, rugged Rehag ridge above the road over the Upper Hauenstein Pass and offer views of the folded Jura. The surviving fortifications can only be viewed from the outside; the main tower is currently closed to visitors because of damage to its masonry. Check the latest access information before your visit.
Church, Museum and Local Culture
The Reformed church stands at the northern entrance to the town, between the road and the Frenke. It was converted from a former granary; services were held in the new church from 1834. The church interior was completely renovated in 1955 and received stained-glass windows by artist Jacques DĂĽblin. This building brings together a former use and a later artistic design.
A heritage conservation zone surrounds the municipally protected Villa Gelpke, its coach house and its park-like grounds. For another glimpse into local history, the Velosolex Museum at Restaurant Leue displays around two dozen Velosolex bikes dating from 1947 to 1985. During renovation, visits are only possible as part of tours booked in advance; admission is free. Book in advance and check whether a visit is possible before you travel.
Since 2020, Engibeer has been brewed in the basement of Restaurant Leue; it is served on tap or in bottles. Brewery tours with beer tastings take place once or twice a year, with dates announced separately. If you would like to include a tour in your plans, time your visit to coincide with the announced dates.
Contemporary art is also part of the cultural offering: the fourth edition of the open-air exhibition «Ville des Arts» is scheduled to run from 6 June to 31 October 2026. Works are displayed throughout the town. Check the exhibition dates before you travel.
Hiking, Water and Landscapes
The castle walk links the railway station with the ruins and, at 3.18 kilometres, offers a specific option for an outing on foot. At the destination, the ridge and views of the folded Jura shape the landscape.
Waldenburg swimming pool has a paddling pool, a non-swimmers’ pool and a 25-metre swimming pool. There is also a diving tower with one- and three-metre platforms. A spacious sunbathing lawn offers views across the valley. Check the latest operating information before visiting.
For those who want to explore more of the landscape, the Waldenburg region offers a range of options: depending on the season, a gondola lift takes visitors to Wasserfallen for hiking or snowshoeing. The Waldweid–Wasserfallen area combines extensive Jura pastures with natural beech and spruce forests and views of the Alps, the Black Forest and the Vosges. So, alongside local history, seasonal experiences in nature are another possible focus for your visit.
When planning your overnight stay, you can start by considering your itinerary: the castle walk begins and ends at the railway station, while the museum and exhibition offer different cultural highlights.
Discover more destinations: Lampenberg, Niederdorf, Eptingen, Hölstein, Diegten, Langenbruck, Reigoldswil.
Return to the main travel overview: Waldenburg.
