Kienberg lies 550 metres above sea level at the foot of the Saalhöhe, between Frick and Aarau and at the farthest tip of the canton of Solothurn. The foothills of the Jura, forests and farmland provide local recreational spaces where you can hike, cycle, jog, stroll and ride. Kienberg is a good day-trip destination for families and for anyone seeking to be close to nature in a rural setting. Here, you can combine the landscape and outdoor activities with visits to individual cultural attractions.
Nature and trails around Kienberg
A special natural area is the former Kienberg gypsum quarry. This area of around 7 hectares is a nature reserve belonging to Pro Natura Solothurn and Aargau and has been listed in the national inventory of dry meadows and pastures (TWW) since 2010. It is home to many rare plants and animal species that thrive in warmth and sunshine. Alongside the Jura foothills, forests and farmland, anyone interested in natural and cultural landscapes will find a clearly designated protected area here.
The five routes offer different points of reference for planning. Route 1 is a 6.01 km circular trail with 208 m of ascent and 206 m of descent; the estimated walking time is 1 hour and 46 minutes. There are five fire pits along the trail. Route 2 runs from the Saalhöhe via the Burgflue viewpoint to the Jurapark village of Kienberg. Route 4 also leads to the Burgflue viewpoint, as well as to the ruins of Heidegg and through the nature reserve in the former gypsum quarry. Another hike passes through a landscape of open fields on its way down to the Jurapark village.
Route 5 passes the ruins of Alt Kienberg and ends in the village; the ruins are currently difficult to access. They can be reached on foot from the Kienberg, Hirschen bus stop in around 30 minutes. Take this approximate walking time and the trail conditions into account when planning your visit, and check conditions beforehand. This makes it possible to plan a nature outing based on whether you want to combine a hike with a castle ruin or the protected area, without conflating the different destinations into a single route.
Castle ruins and architectural history
The ruins of Kienberg Heidegg preserve a deep moat and traces of a tower, a curtain wall and other buildings. They are freely accessible year-round. The ruins of Alt Kienberg tell a different story: archaeological finds indicate that the site was inhabited from the early 11th century until around 1200. The remains of a rectangular building and a round tower have been partially preserved. As access is currently very restricted, check conditions before visiting.
The Church of the Assumption of Mary is also a protected property; it is located at Kirchgasse 32. Its protected status is recorded in the cantonal inventory dated 31 October 2020. The church was first mentioned in 1276 and was largely rebuilt between 1627 and 1635 in the Early Baroque style. During restoration in 1972, its former Neoclassical interior was reinstated. Anyone interested in architectural history can explore centuries of church history alongside the archaeological traces of the two castle ruins.
Studio, sculpture trail and courses
Töpferchäller is a studio and gallery at Anwilerstrasse 53. The studio and sculpture trail are open on Thursdays from 9 am to 7 pm, with some Thursdays excluded. Check the current opening dates before your visit. Töpferchäller also offers herb and mustard-making courses; contact the provider for current dates.
In the herb courses, participants learn to identify, gather and prepare wild herbs. These are used to make various herb pastes, which can be enjoyed with fresh bread or potatoes. In the mustard-making course, five variations are made from a basic recipe by mixing in dried herbs, fruit powder or spices, then filling the mustard into jars. These courses complement the hiking and cultural attractions with a hands-on activity involving herbs and food; contact the provider directly to find out whether a date fits your stay.
Plan your journey
Regular PostBus services connect Kienberg with Gelterkinden, Olten, Basel and Zurich. Check the current timetable before travelling. The stated walking times for Route 1, the approximate walking time to the ruins of Alt Kienberg and the different destinations covered by the routes provide useful reference points for planning your stay. Use them to decide whether nature, hiking, architectural history or a course at Töpferchäller should be the focus of your visit.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Hauenstein-Ifenthal, Trimbach, Wisen, Lostorf, Stüsslingen, Erlinsbach.
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