Wasseramt: Between Lakes, Bogs and Museums

Two lakes, an important raised bog and traces of different eras give Wasseramt its distinctive character. The district lies in the southern part of the canton of Solothurn, belongs to the Central Plateau region and borders the canton of Bern. Former industrial sites stand alongside municipalities with a more rural character. The landscape also has many different facets: Wasseramt is home to Burgäschisee and Inkwilersee, the two lakes in the canton of Solothurn. Large groundwater flows run parallel to the Emme through the district.

Lakes and protected landscapes

Inkwilersee is small and extremely shallow. It lies roughly half in the canton of Solothurn and half in the canton of Bern; the Solothurn side, including the shore area, is designated as a cantonal nature reserve. The lake is now in the final stage of its development from an open body of water into a fen. With 38 known dragonfly species, it is one of the Central Plateau’s most dragonfly-rich bodies of water. The areas around Burgäschisee and Inkwilersee are designated nature reserves.

Chlepfibeerimoos lies east of Burgäschisee, in the municipality of Aeschi. It is the only raised bog in the canton of Solothurn, a cantonal nature reserve and a bog of national importance. The protected area may not be entered. From the car park by Burgäschisee, there is an unobstructed view of the raised bog; follow the current signs on site. This lets you experience the bog landscape without entering the protected area.

At Burgäschisee, activities include walking, relaxing, swimming, rowing and barbecuing. A walk around the lake takes about half an hour. Swimming is permitted only at the lido or the public bathing area. The “Seeblick” restaurant by the lake serves fresh, seasonal regional food; its offerings and opening arrangements may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Museums and traces of the past

The Wasseramt Museum – Tower in Halten is an open-air museum. It features a twelve-metre-high residential tower belonging to the ministerial family of the Counts of Kyburg, a group of old granaries and a bakehouse. The exhibitions explore the history of the castle and include textiles, traditional costumes, ceramics, tiles, agricultural equipment and tools from various trades. The museum is easy to reach by public transport; check the available connections before travelling.

Subingen also offers a glimpse of early history: finds from the Early Celtic burial mounds at Heidenmoos are displayed in the foyer of the school centre. The Museum Spinnerei 1863, housed in the historic buildings of the former Emmenhof cotton mill, offers a different perspective on the past. It provides insights into crafts, industry and the development of motorcycles. The Schellhammer Two-Wheeler Foundation collection includes 75 motorcycles, among them machines made by the Nuremberg manufacturer Triumph TWN between 1906 and 1956. Machinery driven by line shafts is also running again in the former mechanical workshop.

Exploring the Emme and waterways

The Urzeitenweg (Prehistory Trail) is a good choice for a cycling tour: the approximately 35-kilometre route runs mainly along side roads and rural tracks through 13 municipalities in Wasseramt. Its thematic journey spans the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, and covers culture, medicine, work and production. As the route and navigation data may change, it is a good idea to check the latest route information before setting off.

A 2022 brochure describes a flat, twelve-kilometre woodland walk along the Emme, which can be divided into sections as you wish. Check current trail conditions before setting out. The cycling tour and the walk offer two different ways to explore the region: a longer, themed route by bike and a walk whose sections can be planned flexibly.

Between Gerlafingen and Zuchwil, the “EinflussEmme” app turns a stretch of the river into a digital outdoor experience. The app combines facts with animated graphics, audio and video content, and interactive games, and is aimed at individual visitors and school classes. App availability and features may change, so check them in advance. The landscapes along the Aare and the Emme also have protected areas: the Aare’s water surface has been a reserve since the 1970s, and the Emmenschachen since the 1990s. Both protect waterbirds and migratory birds, as well as the floodplain.

Discover more destinations: Luterbach, Aeschi, Zuchwil, Kriegstetten, Biberist, Steinhof, Hersiwil, Horriwil, Subingen, Bolken.

Back to the regional travel overview: Solothurn.