Oberbipp lies at the southern foot of the Jura Mountains, on the flat alluvial fan of the Dorfbach stream in the gently rolling landscape of the Bipperamt region, at the foot of Höllchöpfli. The municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district of the Canton of Bern is situated at an elevation of around 500 metres and about 12 kilometres northeast of Solothurn as the crow flies. Its natural surroundings, hiking options and local history offer different ways to explore the area.
Erlimoos and the landscape
The Erlimoos wetland lies in a depression southwest of Oberbipp. It has been officially designated a nature reserve since 4 September 1969 and provides an important refuge for increasingly rare animal and plant species. The municipality also includes Längwald, a small part of the Ränkholz gravel plain, and Erlimoos with its pond. The landscape can thus be understood through its different features: forest, gravel plain and protected wetland each have a distinct character.
Village centre and building history
The village centre covers roughly the area from the church to the former sawmill and down to the railway station. In 1988, it was included in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS). These landmarks provide a general sense of direction; inclusion in the inventory recognises the village centre as a heritage site worthy of protection.
Two construction periods can be distinguished at the church: the present nave dates from 1686, while the church tower was built as early as 1487. The two dates reveal different phases in the building’s history. A dolmen has also been reconstructed behind the church. Four erratic boulders form the side walls of its burial chamber and support a 7.5-tonne capstone. The stone cist grave was used to bury around 30 people.
An archaeological trail near the church reveals remains of a Roman villa estate and several earlier churches. It is open during church opening hours, by calling the parish office in advance on 032 636 31 58. Schloss Bipp is privately owned and cannot be visited; confirm this access information again before planning a visit.
The Buchistöckli also tells a story of changing uses. It was probably built in the 16th century as a washhouse and for producing beechwood ash. Since 1976, it has been used for various exhibitions and activities; individual programmes may vary. The mill, meanwhile, is notable for its former use as a customer mill: it remained in operation until 1983.
Hiking options and practical information
Two differently described options are available for planning a hike. A circular hike in Oberbipp starts and ends at the ASM railway station. One route on the Sagenweg starts in Oberbipp at the aare-seeland-mobil railway station and leads to the ridge of the first Jura chain. One is designated as a circular hike, while the ridge is named as the destination for the other—a specific difference that can help you choose.
The map for the Sagenweg is available free of charge from municipal offices, restaurants and information boards in car parks. As these distribution points may change, it is best to check in advance where the map is currently available. This lets you take the right directions into account when planning without combining the two described routes into a single trail.
Discover more destinations: Wiedlisbach, Wolfisberg, Seeberg, Wangen An Der Aare, Attiswil, Wangenried, Niederbipp.
Go to the main travel overview: Wangen.
