Oberbipp: Nature, Trails and Architectural History

Oberbipp combines a protected landscape with archaeological remains and architectural history. The municipality lies on the flat alluvial fan of the Dorfbach at the southern foot of the Jura, in the gently rolling landscape of the Bipperamt at the foot of Höllchöpfli. Oberbipp is situated at an altitude of around 500 metres and about 12 kilometres as the crow flies northeast of Solothurn. The natural environment, trails and local history offer different points of interest for planning your trip.

Wetland and landscape

The Erlimoos wetland lies in a depression southwest of Oberbipp. It has been officially designated a nature reserve since 4 September 1969 and provides an important refuge for increasingly rare animal and plant species. The municipality also includes Längwald, a small part of the gravel plain of Ränkholz, and Erlimoos with its pond. The protected area is therefore a distinctive part of the local landscape and a point of interest in its own right for anyone interested in nature and habitats.

Village centre, church and archaeological traces

Oberbipp’s village centre covers roughly the area from the church past the former sawmill down to the railway station. In 1988, the village centre was included in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS). The church shows two clearly distinct construction phases: the present nave dates from 1686, while the church tower was built as early as 1487.

A dolmen has been reconstructed behind the church. Four erratic boulders form the sides of its burial chamber and support a 7.5-tonne capstone. The stone cist grave was used to bury around 30 people. An archaeological trail at the church leads visitors to the remains of a Roman villa estate and several earlier churches. Architectural features and archaeological remains with different historical connections thus stand side by side at the same site.

Bipp Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1268 as the property of a Count of Frohburg. Schloss Bipp is now privately owned and cannot therefore be visited; check this visitor restriction again before making plans. Buchistöckli was probably built in the 16th century as a washhouse and for making beechwood ash. Since 1976, it has been used for various exhibitions and activities; specific programmes may vary. The mill in Oberbipp operated as a customer mill until 1983.

Hiking trails and visitor planning

The circular hike in Oberbipp starts and ends at the ASM railway station. A route on the Legends Trail also starts at the aare-seeland-mobil station and leads to the ridge of the first Jura range. The descriptions therefore refer to different routes: the circular hike starts and ends at the same point, while the ridge is named as the destination for the Legends Trail route. A map of the Legends Trail is available free of charge from municipal offices, restaurants and information boxes in car parks. As availability at these collection points may change, it is best to check in advance.

The archaeological tour inside the church is accessible during church opening hours by calling the church secretary’s office in advance. You can reach the secretary’s office on 032 636 31 58. Take this access requirement into account when planning, and confirm your visit in advance. This makes it possible to consider Oberbipp’s historical attractions and trails in light of the visitor requirements stated for each.

Discover more destinations: Wangenried, Wiedlisbach, Niederbipp, Seeberg, Wolfisberg, Attiswil, Wangen An Der Aare.

Return to the main travel overview: Wangen.