Oberaargau: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls and Cultural Heritage

Oberaargau forms the easternmost corner of the Canton of Bern and borders Solothurn, Aargau and Lucerne. The region stretches from the first range of the Jura into the Aare Valley and climbs again to the Ahorn, a spur of the Napf. Villages, valleys, hills, forests and meadows shape the landscape. Walks, hikes and cycling tours offer different ways to discover Oberaargau.

Hiking trails between forest and the Aare

On the Mutzbachfall adventure trail, a forest path crosses several small bridges to the Mutzbach’s 14-metre-high waterfall. The route starts at the Riedtwil railway station stop. You can get there by train to Wynigen, then take bus route B54. Check the connection before setting off, as transport information may change.

The short and long Amiet-Hesse trails are cultural and hiking routes that you can explore independently. Both are signposted and opened in 2016. The shorter route leads from Riedtwil through the Hohle to Oschwand. The longer hike also ends in Oschwand, passing through the Mutzgraben via Juchten, Rotenhaus and the Luftröhre. This gives you a choice of two differently routed trails, for which no walking time is specified.

The first information panel on the Amiet-Hesse trails is within walking distance of the public transport stop in Riedtwil. Buses run from Herzogenbuchsee or Wynigen to Riedtwil; there are also parking spaces and a well-maintained toilet there. For a hike with wide-ranging views, the Hirsrüti circular trail near Rohrbach follows field and meadow paths through the rolling hills of Oberaargau. Forest sections alternate with open fields. In clear weather, the view extends to the heights of the Jura and the Alps.

The Berke-Chehr runs along both sides of the Aare landscape and offers occasional views of Vogelraupfi, a nature reserve. The trails highlight different landscapes: the forest path, bridges and waterfall at Mutzbachfall; open fields and hills near Rohrbach; and the Aare landscape along the Berke-Chehr.

Burgäschisee: Nature and archaeological traces

The path along the shore of Burgäschisee passes through a small alder forest and over wooden boardwalks. Allow about half an hour to walk around the lake. As much of the area is protected, swimming is permitted only on the northeastern shore, at the lido or public bathing area. Check the conditions before swimming.

The landscape around the lake is connected to a long history: the archaeological site at Burgäschisee is one of a series of 111 sites in six European countries that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. An information trail along the shore uses panels to explain the history, nature and culture of the site. The Oberaargau Emerald Network area is also a testament to the region’s natural wealth: at least 20 Emerald species threatened across Europe live there. Target species include the Southern Damselfly and the Yellow-bellied Toad; their habitats are intended to be preserved over the long term.

Museums, architecture and crafts

The Langenthal Museum presents the history of Langenthal and its surroundings, as well as the geography and geology of Oberaargau. Its collection includes archaeological and geological finds from the region; the ground floor hosts special exhibitions whose content changes. At Kunsthaus Langenthal, you can see exhibitions of contemporary art in the heritage-protected Choufhüsi on Marktgasse.

The water meadows in the river valleys of Langeten, Oenz and Rot tell the story of a cultural practice once widespread in the Swiss Plateau: the cooperative irrigation and fertilisation of meadows. As the last remnants of this practice, they were included in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance in 1983. St. Urban Abbey is considered an outstanding example of Cistercian architecture and a Swiss cultural monument offering a broad cultural programme.

Aarwangen Castle offers exhibitions on the history of the castle and the economic history of Oberaargau. Its authentically designed rooms also house escape rooms whose stories explore the castle’s history and past. As availability of this bookable activity may vary, check before planning your visit. In Huttwil, the Wool Trail shares information about wool as a raw material and how it is processed. The free trail around the farm provides a look inside the demonstration carding mill on weekdays; more than 100-year-old carding machines are still in daily use there. Check visitor information in advance.

Events throughout the year

Recurring events also add seasonal highlights. The Langenthal Street Festival takes place once a year over a weekend in June. Local bands perform at more than ten venues, and there is also street food. In Wangen an der Aare, the Strassenspektakel takes place on a Sunday in August, featuring performers from around the world as well as international street and variety acts. At the end of November, the Huttwil Christmas Market takes place in the historic centre: more than 100 wooden huts offer culinary treats and regional crafts. Exact dates and programmes vary from year to year; check the dates for your trip. When choosing where to stay, it helps to first decide which places you plan to visit for excursions and events.

Discover more destinations: Obersimmental, Burgdorf, Bernese Jura, Aarwangen, Niedersimmental, Laupen, Aarberg, Fraubrunnen.

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