Aeschi: Burgäschi Lake, pile-dwelling history and nature

In Aeschi, Burgäschi Lake, pile-dwelling history and a rural landscape come together as different travel highlights. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on the lake and its history or explore paths through the open countryside.

Aeschi and Burgäschi Lake

Aeschi is a political municipality in the Wasseramt district of the canton of Solothurn and comprises the localities of Aeschi, Burgäschi and Steinhof. Burgäschi Lake lies south of Burgäschi; Aeschi is south of Solothurn. The municipality has a rural character: fields, small woods and gentle hills shape the open landscape.

Burgäschi Lake covers 20.7 hectares and is up to 30 metres deep. A cantonal nature reserve and a wetland of national importance lie on its shore; please observe the local rules there. The walk around the lake partly passes through Chlepfibeerimoos, the only raised bog in the canton of Solothurn. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the water with a stretch through this special natural area.

Pile-dwelling history and St. Anna Church

Four Neolithic pile-dwelling sites are known at Burgäschi Lake. Together, they span the period from 4000 to 2600 BC. The Burgäschi East pile-dwelling settlement is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps. Its remains now lie mostly in the reed belt and are not accessible. Signs along the lakeshore provide information about the history, nature and culture of this historic site.

St. Anna Church in Aeschi offers a glimpse of another period. It was rebuilt in 1679 as a hall church with a narrower polygonal choir and a roof turret. These terms also describe its architectural form: the hall church has an elongated main space, the choir adjoins it more narrowly and has several sides, and the roof turret sits on the roof. In 1684, the church was separated from the parish of Kriegstetten, and Aeschi became its own parish.

Walks, routes and getting there

Aeschi has numerous walking paths. On the route around Burgäschi Lake, the section that partly passes through Chlepfibeerimoos offers a specific way to experience the landscape. The SwitzerlandMobility route “Wasseramt Route No. 802” also runs directly from Solothurn to Burgäschi Lake. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Take bus No. 7 from Solothurn towards Herzogenbuchsee to the “Aeschi, SO Kirche” stop. From there, it is about a 20-minute walk to Burgäschi Lake. As public transport connections can change, check the current service before travelling. Regional buses also connect Aeschi with nearby villages and the railway stations in Etziken or Subingen; from there, services run towards Solothurn, Olten and Bern.

Swimming, fishing and dining

To protect nature, swimming in Burgäschi Lake is permitted only at the lido or the public bathing area. Follow the local signs during your visit. Fishing from the shore or a boat is permitted from May to October; check locally for current seasonal rules and permit requirements.

At Burgäschi Lake, the “Seeblick” restaurant serves fresh, seasonal products from the region. Check before your trip whether the restaurant is currently open.

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

For the overall travel guide: Wasseramt.