Wangen an der Aare combines a medieval town centre with riverside scenery and trails for all kinds of exploring. The town is set in a rural area right on the Aare, in the Bernese Oberaargau region between Olten and Solothurn. When planning your trip, choose from culture in the old town, walking and themed trails, and experiences on the water.
Old town, castle and local history
The old town has an almost square layout. Parts of the town wall have been preserved; two town gates and a corner tower define the medieval complex. The historic centre also includes the Aare bridge, an old covered wooden bridge, and the listed Salzhaus. The castle and Amtshaus are another distinctive feature of the townscape: the main tower has a late medieval helmet roof, while the north wing has a hipped roof with clipped gables. The complex dates back to the 13th century and the 16th to 18th centuries.
The town museum is located in the municipal building and offers insights into the town and its history. Special exhibits include gingerbread moulds and prints connected with the history of the Wangen «Schörlibecks». Beck-Mineli (1877–1959), sister of the last «Schörlibeck», later donated them to the museum. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the station. Guided tours of the old town are available for groups by arrangement: they last around one hour, are designed for a maximum of 25 participants and cost CHF 100. Check the arrangements and price in advance.
The church also offers several points of connection with the past: three frescoes on its east wall date from the third quarter of the 14th century. The present church is the result of a comprehensive redesign carried out between 1824 and 1826; the Mathis organ dates from 1982. Another testament to local history is the former monastic administrative estate, which was converted into a rectory after the Reformation in 1529.
Two trails starting at the station
The Arnold Rikli Trail starts at the station and is around six kilometres long. Information panels introduce Arnold Rikli and many of his healing practices; his birthplace and Rikliplatz are also on the route. The trail is considered easy and varied, can be walked in sections and is free for all visitors.
The Duftweg (Scent Trail) also starts at the station. At 5.3 kilometres, it is shorter than the Arnold Rikli Trail, which is around six kilometres long. Along the way, 24 scents tell stories. The trail invites you to smell, walk and linger; it follows the banks of the Oeschbach for part of the way and crosses an age-old wooden bridge to the opposite bank. On the stretch leading to the Aare, fields and open landscapes accompany you, their colours changing with the seasons. The two routes therefore offer different highlights: information about a historical figure on one, and scents and changing landscapes on the other.
Experience the Aare: by canoe or boat
The «Aare Canoe» route covers 17 kilometres from Wangen an der Aare to Murgenthal. Its starting point is below the castle. The route passes trees and reed beds, with farms and cow pastures reaching almost to the water. It also runs through a nature reserve, where traces of beavers can be seen along the banks. Please observe the conservation rules there. Seasonal conditions may affect access, so check them before setting out. The banks of the Aare near Wangen are largely natural and partly lined with riverside trees. The small Ösch, also known as the Mühlbach, flows into the Aare within the municipality.
The «pAAREdiesli» offers a different perspective on the river: from May to October, round trips run on Sundays in good weather from the wooden bridge to Bannwil, with an additional stop in Walliswil b. Niederbipp. From Monday to Saturday, the boat can be booked by the hour and accommodates a maximum of twelve people. As timetables and booking arrangements may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information.
More options for planning your trip
For cycling tours, Wangen an der Aare is on two Veloland Schweiz routes: No. 5, the Mittelland Route, and No. 8, the Aare Route. The swimming pool has a heated 50-metre lap pool, up to 1.9 metres deep, for recreational swimming and training. There is also an accessible non-swimmer pool with a ramp. If you would like to plan your stay around a market, make a note of the annual May Market and Autumn Market. Check the latest dates before planning your trip around them.
Discover more destinations: Oberbipp, Wiedlisbach, Attiswil, Wangenried, Wolfisberg, Niederbipp, Seeberg.
Return to the main travel overview: Wangen.
