Waldenburg – Castle Ruins, History and Nature

Waldenburg is considered a medieval town. It was founded in the first half of the 13th century below a new castle and served at the time as a barrier across the valley and a customs station. Today, historic buildings, distinctive castle ruins and excursion destinations in the wider region come together here. The Waldenburgerbahn runs every quarter of an hour from Liestal to Waldenburg; check the timetable before you travel.

Castle Ruins and History on the Hauenstein

Waldenburg Castle Ruins stand on a steep rocky ridge and are considered the town’s landmark. The ruins of Waldenburg Castle are located on the narrow Rehag ridge above the road over the Oberer Hauenstein; from there, the view extends across the Folded Jura. Together with the town and the lower castle, the ruins formed a defensive barrier at the Hauenstein Pass. For centuries, they were the seat of the Frohburg family as well as the bailiffs of the city of Basel and its bishops.

The castle hike to the ruins of Waldenburg Castle starts and ends at Waldenburg railway station. The route is 3.18 kilometres long. There is an important access restriction to note when visiting: the main tower is currently closed to visitors because of damage to the masonry. The surviving fortifications can only be viewed from the outside. Check the latest accessibility information before your visit.

Church, Buildings and Art in Town

At the northern entrance to town, the Reformed church stands between the road and the Frenke. It was converted from a former granary; services began to be held in the new church there in 1834. The interior was completely renovated in 1955 and features stained-glass windows by Jacques Düblin. Another protected site is the conservation zone around the municipally protected Villa Gelpke, its coach house and the surrounding park-like grounds.

The open-air exhibition “Ville des Arts” presents works throughout the town. The fourth edition is scheduled to run from June 6 to October 31, 2026. For this edition, guided tours start at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at Waldenburg Town Hall; booking is recommended. The exhibition is spread across different parts of town, while the guided tour has a specific date and meeting point.

Museum, Beer and Swimming

The Velosolex Museum is located in Restaurant Leue. It displays around two dozen Velosolex bicycles dating from 1947 to 1985. During renovations, visits are possible only as part of guided tours reserved in advance; admission is free. If you plan to visit the museum, check the access arrangements beforehand.

Engibeer has been brewed in the basement of Restaurant Leue since 2020. It is served at the restaurant on tap or in bottles. Engibeer offers brewery tours with beer tastings once or twice a year; dates are announced separately. Check the announced dates if you would like to take a tour.

Waldenburg swimming pool has a paddling pool, a non-swimmers’ pool, a 25-metre swimming pool and a diving tower with one- and three-metre diving heights. The facilities also include a spacious sunbathing lawn overlooking the valley. As seasonal opening arrangements may change, it is worth checking the latest opening hours before your visit.

Waldweid and Wasserfallen in the Region

The Waldweid children’s trail combines a family-friendly outdoor experience with a barefoot path and a 70-metre cable ride through the forest. In the Waldenburg region, a gondola lift takes visitors to Wasserfallen for hiking or snowshoeing, depending on the season. The Waldweid–Wasserfallen area combines expansive Jura pastures and natural beech and spruce forests with views of the Alps, the Black Forest and the Vosges.

The Waldweid mountain inn also has its own specialities, including Angus beef and homemade cakes. This makes it easy to distinguish between the different offerings: Waldenburg itself has historic buildings and cultural attractions, while Waldweid and Wasserfallen are associated with trails, landscapes and seasonal activities.

Discover more destinations: Diegten, Reigoldswil, Lampenberg, Langenbruck, Hölstein, Eptingen, Niederdorf

Return to the overview of destinations: Waldenburg.