Steinhof: Hiking, Erratic Boulders and Chapel History

Steinhof combines hiking, striking erratic boulders and local history for trip planning. Grossi Flue, Chilchliflue and the Marienkapelle each offer a different focus: geological scale, local traditions and architectural history. The Kraftorte Trail provides a specific way to connect these themes on a named circular hike.

Hiking the Kraftorte Trail

The Kraftorte Trail is a 10 km circular hike linking Burgäschisee, Steinhof and Seeberg. The Steinhof section includes the Marienkapelle, Chilchliflue and Grossi Flue. The chapel is also a stop on the Burgäschisee–Steinhof–Seeberg Kraftorte Trail. This places the local section within the longer loop connecting all three places.

Erratic Boulders and Landscape

Around 20 erratic boulders remain within the municipality of Steinhof. The Grosse Flue erratic boulder in Steinhof is seven metres high and weighs 3,500 tonnes. Thirty-six moss species have been identified on Grossi Flue; eight of these are moss species specific to erratic boulders. Alongside Grossi Flue, Chilchliflue is the largest erratic boulder in Steinhof. Its total volume is around 370 cubic metres, of which around 150 cubic metres are visible.

Near Steinhof, the Erlenschachen forest reserve lies on the shore of Burgäschisee and covers around 15 hectares. It has a near-primeval character and is home to numerous rare insect and bird species. Burgäschisee and the glacial landscape of Grossi Flueh are designated landscape features in Aeschi. Also near Steinhof, Chlepfimoos/Burgmoos is listed in the Federal Inventory of Raised and Transitional Bogs of National Importance. Thus, alongside the erratic boulders, the area features forests, glacial landscapes and bogs as distinct natural environments.

The Chapel and Local History

The Marienkapelle Steinhof, locally known as «Chüuchli», was built in 1720 and renovated in 1911 and 1970. According to local tradition, it was founded by a man from Steinhof who survived a dangerous pilgrimage to Einsiedeln and vowed to bring a statue of the Madonna home. The chapel seats 36 people and can be rented for weddings or baptisms.

Grossi Flue is also part of local conservation history. In 1869, the Swiss Society of Natural Sciences acquired the erratic boulder and placed it under protection to prevent its destruction for railway construction. Rescue campaigns to protect Grossi Flue and its group of erratic boulders prompted the establishment of the Solothurn Nature Conservation Commission in 1905. In the Middle Ages, the striking Grossi Flue formation gave its name to a nearby farmstead and, in turn, to the village of Steinhof.

A local historical tradition about a fertility stone is associated with Chilchliflue: women wishing to have a child are said to have slid down the sloping side of the erratic boulder. The forest plot known as «Amerikanerwald» is also connected with local history. In 1870, spruce timber from the area was used to finance the Schläfli family’s passage to America.

Plan Your Journey

BSU route 15 runs from Burgäschi via Aeschi SO, Schulhaus, Aeschi SO, Kirche and Aeschi SO, Dorf to Steinhof SO. The timetable shown is valid from 14 December 2025; check the current timetable before travelling.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Wasseramt.