Auswil: Panorama, Hiking Trails and Hornussen

Auswil in the Oberaargau

Auswil is located in the Oberaargau region of the Swiss Plateau. The village extends across 462 hectares of gentle hills on the sandstone plateau in the higher Oberaargau; the plateau acquired its present shape during the last ice age. Auswil is a scattered settlement comprising five hamlets: Oberauswil, Unterauswil, Hermandingen, Aerbolligen and Rohrbachberg. Two levels help with orientation: the hamlets describe the settlement pattern, while the plateau and hills describe the geological and landscape features.

Auswil is shaped by agriculture. Its unspoilt landscape includes meadows, fields and streams; the five hamlets nestled within it are extensively surrounded by forests. Open areas and broad forest fringes are equally characteristic of the landscape, while the streams form additional visible features.

Landscape and Views

Auswiler Höhe offers excellent panoramic views, from the Glärnisch across the Central Swiss and Bernese Alps to the Stockhorn. There are also views of the upper part of the Langeten Valley and, further afield, the Jura and the Swiss Plateau in front of it. The views can be distinguished by distance: the Langeten Valley is part of the closer panorama, while the Jura and Swiss Plateau lie further away.

Hiking Trails with Different Reference Points

The hiking trails offer different ways to explore the area. When planning, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between the named elevation, hamlet or route. The Langenthal–Huttwil hiking trail crosses Auswiler Höhe. The “In the Footsteps of Hiking Trail Pioneers” route follows only signposted trails classified as hiking trails. It passes through Ober Auswil/Chappeli, where it offers an outstanding panoramic experience. Another scenic hike from Gutenberg to Dürrenroth passes through Auswil and Huttwil.

The routes can be distinguished by their reference points: Auswiler Höhe on the Langenthal–Huttwil trail, Ober Auswil/Chappeli on the pioneer route, and Auswil and Huttwil on the hike from Gutenberg to Dürrenroth. Only the type of trail used by the pioneer route is specified: it stays on signposted trails classified as hiking trails. This gives you specific locations to compare.

Hornussen and Local History

Auswil was first mentioned in a document from the Abbey of St. Gallen in the 9th century. The history of Hornussen began much later: from the early 1950s, the Auswil-Wyssbach Hornussen society played on Paul Flückiger’s land in Hermandingen for more than 35 years. These two dates mark different chapters: an early written mention of the village and a specific, much later period in the local Hornussen tradition.

Today, the Hornussen society also welcomes visitors in person at its Hornussen field. As visitor arrangements may change, we recommend coordinating your visit directly with the society in advance. New junior Hornussen players are always very welcome. If you are interested in taking part, check the current options with the society as well.

Discover more travel destinations: Madiswil, Obersteckholz, Gondiswil, Melchnau, Bannwil, Langenthal, Rohrbach, Leimiswil

For the overview of the wider region, see: Aarwangen.