Hölstein: Culture, Oris and Bike Park

Hölstein lies between Liestal, the cantonal capital, and the historic town of Waldenburg. The village is on the edge of Basel’s catchment area and is connected to the Waldenburg Railway. Liestal can be reached from Hölstein in 12 minutes; Basel is 25 minutes away with a change in Liestal. If you’re looking for a hotel in Hölstein, you can plan your stay around a range of themes: local history, watchmaking, the bike park and the landscape along the Vordere Frenke.

Discover local history through its buildings

The Reformed Church of St. Margaretha was built in 1590/91 on the site of an older chapel. It was one of the first churches that the city of Basel had built in the Basel countryside after the Reformation. Its construction history thus points to a time when the religious character of the region was changing.

The «Rössli» inn also brings together local history and architectural heritage. It was built after 1680 on the historic route over the Upper Hauenstein and served as a horse post station over the course of its history, spanning several centuries. Its «Himmelsaal» is one of the few fully preserved Art Nouveau ballrooms. The Neuhaus in Hölstein was rebuilt in 1671 and is one of the canton’s most magnificent late Gothic secular buildings.

Two construction phases can be distinguished at the Zehntenscheune: the northern part was built in 1566 and the southern part in 1695. It is a rare example of a large, detached barn in the Basel countryside. Another example of rural architecture is the field barn at Bennwilerstrasse 41a, built in 1678. A timber-frame structure with two king posts, it is unique of its kind in the Basel countryside. Those interested in older depictions of local buildings can also identify the building at Hauptstrasse 27: a pen-and-ink sketch by Georg Friedrich Meyer from around 1680 and a village view by Emanuel Büchel from 1754 show it with a distinctive gallery on the north gable. The country estate in «Hinterbohl» is one of the oldest rural settlements in the area around Augusta Raurica.

Watchmaking and the bike park

The Oris Hölstein Experience Centre is located at the historic site of the Oris watch factory and offers insights into watchmaking. The exhibition in the attic presents the history of the factory. Oris arranges bespoke factory tours for groups of up to 50 people; it’s advisable to coordinate in advance. Check the visitor arrangements before your trip.

At the entrance to the village, Bike Park Hölstein occupies a site of around 3,000 square metres. Its facilities include a pump track, dirt line and skills park, as well as jump lines, drops and a skills area. According to the operator’s description, the different areas are suitable for children and adults, from beginners to professionals. The bike park was extensively renovated and upgraded in 2023. Weather and reservation requirements may affect use; check these before your visit.

The Vordere Frenke and a hike

The Vordere Frenke flows into Hölstein as a narrow stream through woodland and meadows. As it runs through the Waldenburg Valley, narrow stretches through built-up areas alternate with sections flowing through farmland. A section of the watercourse was renaturalised at Helgenweid, at the northern exit from the village. There, shallow-water zones and stone islands are part of its naturalised course.

Those who want to explore the area on foot can start or end the «Along the Vordere Frenke» hike in Hölstein. The route description, published in 2019, gives a distance of 7.3 kilometres and an approximate duration of two and a half hours. Check local conditions before setting out. The bike park, watercourse and hiking route offer different ways to experience Hölstein and its surroundings; when planning, it helps to keep the chosen activity and any conditions mentioned for it in mind.

Discover more destinations: Langenbruck, Waldenburg, Diegten, Lampenberg, Eptingen, Niederdorf, Reigoldswil.

Back to the main travel overview: Waldenburg.