Hägendorf at the foot of the Jura: hiking and culture

Hägendorf lies at an altitude of 434 m above sea level on the plain at the foot of the Jura. Here, the Cholersbach stream emerges from the Tüfelsschlucht gorge into the Dünnern Valley; the area is also known as Berggäu. Olten is about 5 km away to the northeast as the crow flies. Hägendorf combines striking Jura heights with trails and cultural sites: you can plan your stay around hiking, the Tüfelsschlucht gorge or the history of Allerheiligenberg, for example.

Hiking and exploring the Tüfelsschlucht gorge

Hägendorf has a local recreation area and is a starting point for hikes into the Tüfelsschlucht gorge and to Allerheiligenberg and Belchenfluh. The Tüfelsschlucht is 2.2 km long and has 32 bridges and footbridges. You can explore it on your own or join a guided tour lasting about two hours. One route leads through the gorge and up to Allerheiligenberg.

The “Heaven and Hell” themed trail has 13 stops and runs around Allerheiligenberg above Hägendorf. The walking time itself is about one hour; the trail can be walked in either direction. This makes it a different time commitment from the approximately two-hour guided tour through the Tüfelsschlucht gorge. A leisurely loop close to the village offers plenty of benches and wide-ranging views.

Chapel and the history of the trails

Allerheiligenberg Chapel was built by Johann Carl Grimm in the 17th century. Over time, it became a well-known pilgrimage site. The Way of the Cross also has its own history: in 1858, it was laid out with 14 stations from Gnöd in Hägendorf, via Alt Wäg, to the chapel. The Way of the Cross leads to the chapel, while the “Heaven and Hell” themed trail circles Allerheiligenberg.

The “Heaven and Hell” themed trail also includes the return of the bell to its original place in Allerheiligenberg Chapel. Those interested in religious and local history will find several specific points of interest here: the chapel, the Way of the Cross and the bell.

More activities and visitor experiences

There is a challenging Vita Parcours fitness trail in the municipality of Hägendorf. The Tüfelsschlucht Mountain Run offers another sporting perspective: its route passes through the village and then into the Tüfelsschlucht gorge, through the landscape at the foot of the Jura. The listed categories include schoolchildren aged 13 and over, young people aged 16 and over, fun runners aged 18 and over, and walking enthusiasts. The format and course details may vary from one edition to another, so if you are making concrete plans, check the information for the event in question.

Group tours of the SBB Railway Technology Centre in Hägendorf are available on request from Monday to Thursday. The tours are free of charge. If you are planning a group tour, check the current visitor arrangements in advance, as details of the visitor programme may change.

Jura landscape and views

The area around Hägendorf includes forested and agricultural land, as well as Jura ranges and peaks such as Allerheiligenberg, Gwidemflue, Ruchen and Belchenflue. At 1,123 m above sea level, Ruchen is the highest point in Hägendorf; Belchenflue reaches 1,097 m above sea level. From Belchenfluh, the view extends across the Swiss Plateau, to the Alps and into the Black Forest. This means the landscape looks quite different in the gorge and at the higher viewpoints.

Discover more destinations: Olten, Kappel, Schönenwerd, Gretzenbach.

Return to the main travel overview: Olten.